5 Indie Pub Myths (That Drive Me Bonkers!)

5 Indie Pub Myths (That Drive Me Bonkers!)

Myth #1 – Indie Authors Couldn’t Get Traditionally Published

There was a time, long ago, when self-publishing was mostly used as a publishing backup route for writers who couldn’t land a publisher, but today those writers are in the minority. Now, most indie authors choose to indie publish instead of pursuing traditional publishing. For many, it’s about maintaining rights, having more control over content and publishing timeline, and keeping a bigger percent of the royalties.

Myth #2 Indie Authors Don’t Belong in Traditional Publishing

This is one of the weirder ones I’ve occasionally heard. The idea, I guess, is that writers who indie publish are inferior to writers who are traditionally published, because they haven’t made it past the gatekeepers. That indie writers are inferior is demonstrably untrue… just ask any six-figure earning indie author if their readers think their books are inferior to traditionally published books.

Myth #3 Indie Published Books Are Lower Quality Than Trad Published Books

The odds of finding a non-edited, poorly written book may be higher with self-published books, but this is by no means the standard or even common. Most indies take publishing very seriously and pour their heart and soul into putting out they highest quality book humanly possible. It’s common practice to hire professional editors, formatters, and cover designers, and to use a veritable army of beta readers, critique partners, sensitivity readers, and others to help produce a high quality book. (And let’s face it… it’s not unheard of to come across a poorly edited trad book…)

Myth #4 – Indie Published Books Don’t Sell as Well as Trad Published Books

Book sales aren’t guaranteed regardless of which way you publish. Both indie and trad books are capable of flopping or becoming best sellers, but most books in either category won’t be best-sellers.

Myth #5 – Indie Authors Aren’t as Successful as Traditionally Published Authors

It’s difficult to get a clear picture of average income for either path, but what we know is that there are many indie authors making six-figures a year on their writing alone, and some making seven-figures. They’re not the majority, of course, but most traditionally published authors aren’t making six-figures either. In fact, many trad authors barely earn out their advances.

I think it’s also important to remember that people have different measures of success. If “success” to you is landing a literary agent and getting a book deal, obviously indie authors won’t measure up as “successful” in your mind. If “success” to you is writing what you want, publishing when you want to, and keeping a higher percentage of the royalties, then obviously trad authors won’t qualify as successful in your mind. The point is, you can be successful regardless of which publishing path you follow.

Do you have any questions about indie or trad publishing? Let me know in the comments!