The Role the Indie
Author Plays in the
World Of Publishing
by A.E. Albert
“You are a start-up … The next great business is you.”
—Hugh Howey
Status Vs. Role
People put a lot of value in our professional status'. Unfortunately, status really isn't what it means to you, but to others.
When we put too much thought into status, it creates schisms between people. The belief arises that one person may be better than another.
Of course, we all know that everyone can't be a doctor or a lawyer. What would the world be without store retailers or factory workers. Are we, and I do mean we, really lower on the professional ladder? Or, even Indie authors for that matter?
Writing Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
I purpose that we shift our thinking. Maybe it isn't about status, but the roles we play. Some roles are only temporary. Some are for life. It's the idea that what we do serves a purpose.
Just because our job entails that we take orders, doesn't mean we're not a leader. Or, that our monotonous day job denotes we have no creativity. We play these roles for a reason and as some forget, are necessary to the healthy function of society.
The Unfortunate Status Of The Indie Author
As I've learned in recent months, this labelling is associated with indie publishing. Yes, I am considered low in the publishing hierarchy. However, I don't begrudge this.
The industry is saturated with manuscripts. Agents, editors and publishers are not equipped to handle this tidal wave of would-be authors.
It was difficult as it was to get a foot in the publishing world before we Indie authors showed up. To expect attention when we are tadpoles in an ocean is ridiculous. They say we have only a 2% chance of getting anywhere.
Then why do we keep doing it? Why suffer the stigma of an indie author? Everyday I try to shift my thinking. Perhaps I have a role to play.
The world is in an ever constant state of change. The digital world has affected every industry. Many believe for the worst. But this virtual platform is here to stay and has a stronghold in the publishing industry whether we like it or not.
Maybe We Serve A Purpose After All
So what is this role we self-published authors play? I like to believe we are pioneers, clearing the way for the future in the publishing world.
Maybe we will look back and not see a lucrative career in writing. Maybe, we will feel we bear the lowly status of a self-published author who never sold a book.
I don't believe that this means we didn't have a role to play or a purpose. In the end, the only labels that matter are the ones we give ourselves.
I guess it all comes down to how you choose to look at it.
Read: Hugh Howey and the Indie Author Revolt
Read: The Stigma of Self-Publishing: An Indie Problem
What do you think the role of the Indie Author is? Let me know.
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This article is very important because it is hard to climb the publishing ladder and writing is a solitary job. Self-published authors face many obstacles and stigmas but thankfully we can get our work out to the world because of publishing opportunities that were not there twenty years ago.
ReplyDeleteOpportunity gives people the courage to do something they may not have otherwise done. At least I feel that way about publishing my own book
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