Why I chose to be an Indie

Ever since I decided, and announced to the world, that I was saying no thanks to the traditional route to becoming a published author and going Indie, I have been asked over and over again why. Well, being the first week of this wonderful new blog meant to help guide and promote other indies, I figured what better time than to answer that question.

I chose to go Indie because it’s the easiest way to get published. HA! JUST KIDDING! DO NOT BELIEVE THE STEREOTYPES! Self publishing is ANYTHING BUT EASY! Not every Indie title is a poor novel that was rejected by agents. In fact, most Indie's pride themselves on their work and do everything in their power to make it just as good as any novel published the traditional route. With that being said, here are my top seven reasons I went indie.

1)      I love my novel the way it is and I do not want anyone telling me to delete scenes or add scenes or change anything about my characters. It’s my story; I want to tell it my way. That does not mean I didn’t change a ton from the first draft, because I did. Life on Loan went through multiple critiques and beta readers. But I was able to pick and choose which edits to use and which to disregard.

2)      I can do it at my own pace. If I want to push myself to incredible lengths to get books out just four months apart, that is my choice. If I only want to write a book a year and take my time in releasing them, that is also my choice. I am confident in my team and my abilities.

3)      I do not have to worry about what publishers are buying or not buying. Just because something isn’t super popular among the “Big Six” does not mean there isn’t a market for it. I like to believe that if the story calls to me enough to write it, it will call to others enough to read it.

4)      I own ALL the rights to my novels. That’s right, going the traditional route you risk losing your rights to the publishing house.

5)      I set the prices, chose the covers, decide how long it’s available and no one can make me change it.

6)      The pay. Yes, you read that right. The pay. The money. The moolah. There is no large advance, but there is also a higher royalty rate than with a traditional publisher. My story, my way, my money.

7)      Being an Indie doesn’t mean I can only sell e-books. My work is offered in both, e-book and print. There will always be print books. At least I hope so. But self publishing is on the rise. So much so that in the coming years there will be more Indies, both in self publishing and small press publishing, than traditional. Brick and Mortar Book stores are closing left and right. The general population buys their books online, even print versions.

There you have it. Seven reasons I went indie. I could list all the ways I find being an Indie challenging, but I think I will leave that for another post.  I like to focus on the positives in life and just work my tail off to overcome the negatives.