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Indie author anxiety.

7/11/2010

15 Comments

 
I absolutely love being an indie author. When I first made the decision to self-published it was carefully thought out. It wasn't a desperate last resort to get a novel into print - because I'm already traditionally published in non-fiction and to be honest I hadn't tried very hard with the agent/publisher route. But what I had done was to keep a careful watch on other authors for the past couple of years. I noted who was signing publishing contracts, in what genres etc, and I decided that in my genre, in UK plus a number of other factors, it wasn't going to happen. I'd come very close to being accepted by what I considered was my best bet in terms of reputable established publishers, and I'm sure, had I approached some very new or small presses, I would have found one to publish me. But, on balance, and with readers waiting for the printed book, and, of course, with the offer to publish as a member of Year Zero, I decided I was better off being indie.

But every so often I get this wave of anxiety that I've made the wrong decision. Every time a new author scheme is announced, or one of my friends signs a contract or is offered an advance, I worry that I should have waited. Much of this worry is financial, because it wouldn't just be a dream come true to reach more readers, it would enable me to earn a living - something which, because of circumstances beyond my control, I can't adequately do in other ways.

I think much of indie author anxiety (I'll call it IAA) arises because the publishing business, media and marketing are in a state of flux. No-one can really predict where the business will go more than a few weeks in advance. Indeed, I think epublishing took off much more quickly than its market leaders could have predicted.

Maybe, in a couple of years, it will settle down into a more predictable pattern. For now, though, many of us will have to learn to live with IAA!
15 Comments
Paul Clayton link
7/11/2010 05:29:17 am

Ali, having published commercially four times, I can tell you that what you make in advances/royalties, is not enough to support you, unless either you write that megamillion bestseller right out of the bat, which is unlikely, or if you put all your things in a shopping cart and live under the flyover. Advances average (here in the U.S.) about eight thousand dollars, and most first time authors or mid-list authors don't earn much in royalties. Yes, there are exceptions, but they're rare.

Going Indie is not a bad thing. I essentially went Indie for Carl Melcher Goes to Vietnam. And the book was still picked up by a commercial house. But they simply made it available, did not promote it at all, and when, understandably, it did not fly off the shelves, put it 'out-of-print.'

It is back in the Indie category. And I intend to sell more copies that way than they did.

So don't worry. Just continue to write your books and enjoy the ride.
Best!
Paul Clayton

Reply
Ali Cooper
7/11/2010 05:41:37 am

Hi Paul,

Yes, the fact that a small press - any publisher, in fact, who didn't offer a big advance - would be unlikely to sell more copies than I could myself, was one of the deciding factors in going indie. In fact, if many of your sales are in ebooks, there are very big advantages to going it alone.

Reply
Nell Gavin link
7/11/2010 07:20:54 am

What Paul described is what I observed as well. Publishers do not back you with marketing - you're still on your own. Furthermore, they make you change your work, and then they take it out of print.

You can still find a traditional publisher. The magic number is 5,000 copies. When you sell that many on your own, you'll have an easier time persuading them that you have an audience. Then, if/when they take you out of print, you can put your work back into print as an indie.

I think that the route you chose is the most fun and the most educational. You have the most control. In fact, I know one author who went from indie to traditional, and really regretted it. I also knew plenty of indie authors who sold more books than plenty of traditional authors. Don't worry about the choices you made. Just move forward with what you have. You'll be fine.

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Victorine link
7/11/2010 08:19:20 am

I loved this post. And I know what you mean. But I agree with the others who have commented, you're better off as an indie. The "what ifs" can drive you nuts if you let them. Just keep writing, and you'll make more in the long run selling it yourself on the Kindle. Good luck!

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Kristie Leigh Maguire link
7/11/2010 08:26:11 am

Ali, I totally understand IAA. I suffer from it sometimes too. All in all though, I feel I made the best choice for me to be indie.

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Jason link
7/11/2010 08:40:44 am

Good post, though I wish you'd gone into more detail about what you're feeling. It's just human to wonder what would've happened if we'd made a different choice. For all you know, your book might not have gone anywhere and you'd be worse off. There is success to be had in Indie, but it's not a life sentence. Keep doing what you think is best for each book you produce!

Reply
Ali Cooper
7/11/2010 09:51:31 am

Great to hear from some kindle authors. Last year, a young new author who had just secured a 6 figure advance, advised me to keep submitting to agents on the basis that it only took one to really love my work. She said that the only way mainstream press could promote me was by advertising me as a debut author and that by self-publishing I would be blowing that chance. But that's easy to say when you've been accepted very quickly. I've heard very different stories from other authors. Nonetheless, it niggles.

It's important to remember that I'm in UK where hardly anyone has heard of kindle and it's virtually impossible, without mainstream promotion, to reach readers outside your social networks.

Reply
Daphne Coleridge
7/11/2010 05:57:43 pm

Hi Ali,
As an Indie author on kindle you are amongst the pioneers, so congratulations!I'm from the UK and I have a Kindle (although it does get some curious glances) and I'm sure e-books have an interesting future. My feeling is that you will come to regard your decision as unequivocally good.
Enjoy beautiful Devon.
Best wishes, Daphne

Reply
L.C. Evans link
7/11/2010 10:23:55 pm

Nice post, Ali. I appreciate your thoughts on indie anxiety.

My first mystery, Talented Horsewoman, was picked up by a small publisher. I got no help with marketing, but really didn't expect any. The book has sold fairly well in paperback and I've gotten some great reviews. It helps that it's a horse mystery and people seem to like the setting (Florida). But I've had to do all my own marketing and until this month the publisher, who has electronic rights, wouldn't release the book in Kindle. So for my second and third books, I went indie and I haven't been sorry, though I still experience occasional twinges of doubt. I'm doing my own marketing as I did with the first book, and by indie publishing I was able to maintain control. I have friends who publish traditionally and sometimes I think it would be great to get a nice advance. However, they don't get that much from advances and royalties and so, in order to earn a living, they have to write quickly. This wouldn't work for me. I spend a long time polishing my writing and would probably freak if I had to meet deadlines the way my friends do. If I ever write something that catches the attention of a big agent or publisher, I don't think it's going to hurt my chances that I published indie in the past. Times are changing fast. As Jason said, you do what you think is best for each book.

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Debra L Martin
7/12/2010 02:21:18 am

Reply
Debra L Martin link
7/12/2010 02:23:10 am

Hi Ali,

I totally understand IAA, but as everyone else has said, it is great to have total control over your books. Just keep writing and enjoy the ride!

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Donna Callea
7/12/2010 02:59:30 am

Ali,
I suffer from IAA, too. I'm also worry that there's still a stigma attached to being an indie. But for me, it was the right choice. I'm having great fun and keeping my hopes up.

Reply
T. L. Haddix link
7/12/2010 06:38:06 am

Ali,

It is a wrenching decision but I think you made the right one. From what I've been able to understand and learn, the only advantages traditional publishing can provide is that of slightly more respectability, and wider distribution. With enough hard work (which you would have to do anyhow), you can make those gains as an indie.

I completely understand having limited career options due to circumstances beyond your control. That's not a fun place to be, especially if you have responsibilities. I think if you can just hang on for a while, the Indie market will level out. Readers themselves will demand it. Good luck to you!

Reply
Suzannah Burke link
7/12/2010 02:04:22 pm

Ali, I don't envy you the decision making process on this one... a hard call and one I was about to go for when I was signed. I think it's normal to experience angst at this stage as expressed by the number of posts you have had to the article. I have work unrelated to my Biography that I am considering going Indie with. although I may hold fire until I see how well the Bio is received. The market at the moment is still far from steady, yet the more traditional publishers seem to be going in both Ebook and paperback at this stage. I agree with one of your other commentators here, the success of
E books was underestimated hugely.

The market has to level out fairly soon.
I think you will do well. You certainly deserve to.
Soooz

Reply
Ali Cooper
7/13/2010 07:37:24 pm

A great response to this, and more in Writers Cafe on Kindle Boards.

Reply



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    I'm Ali. I'm an author and musician, living in Devon, and I teach guitar.

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