The Rise of "Indie" in Publishing

The publishing community has a new buzzword: indie. Indie authors, indie publishers, indie books, the word has taken our world by storm. In this world of "indie" we have to figure out what that means and why this is such an important revolution.

The phrase "indie authors" has begun to replace the stigmatized "self-published author" label that used to hang around writers' necks like a weight. In the new world of technology, authors are able to be more independent than they have ever been in the past. They have freedom to decide where and how to publish their book with more control than ever before. This is, of course, a double-edged sword for everyone in the industry: On one hand, it gives authors freedom to make their books their own way and do it how they see fit. On the other hand, it give authors freedom to make books their own way and how they see fit. Authors, brilliant though they may be, are not always the best judges of marketability and business. However, those who are able to take full advantage of their "indie" status are commendable and deserve respect and praise.

So what's an indie publisher, then, if an indie author is unfettered by a publishing company? Self-termed indie publishers tend to be of a few categories: small publishers filling niche markets; small publishers who are looking to grow (startups); publishers founded by authors who don't want to appear self-published; or publishers founded by authors who want to serve themselves and small groups of friends. The impact this has is there is a large influx of unstable, inexperienced publishers out in the world these days. This also means they are pushing innovation and interested in manuscripts the Big Five wouldn't touch, but it can mean mixed results for authors looking for a home for their manuscript.

Unlike the days of yore, modern technology allows people to create their own companies with little or no experience required in business, marketing, or book production. This provides a hands-on learning process that is the father of the immense diversity in the market these days. The concept of "indie" has become mainstream as more and more authors leap to this new model of doing business, eschewing going to the Big Five.

As stated earlier, however, this "indie revolution" is a mixed bag. Authors deserve fair representation, compensation, and treatment. That should be a fundamental part of doing business. However, many authors go from manuscript to print while skipping vital parts in between. In addition, with the gatekeepers vanquished, the market has become saturated with books, and the modern reader now sees what acquisitions editors not-so-fondly call the "slush pile".

With the writing community's dirty laundry out there to air in public view, selling a book and finding your market has become increasingly difficult. In the long run, this should weed out some of the less desirable books and marketing techniques. However, at the moment, both indie authors and traditional authors are going to struggle until brave new world of publishing discovers its equilibrium.

Looking for an editor to help develop your voice or put the final polish on a piece? Contact E. Prybylski through her website: http://www.ehpediting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/E_H_Prybylski/2241042