Why I Love Being An Indie Author

Ever since I learned to read I wanted to be an author. Reading and writing have always been a part of me – in my blood, I guess you could say. After devouring a book a week for the first thirty years of my life and writing several novels along the way, Amazon released the Kindle and presented KDP, and gave the Indie author a chance to shine. Finally I could get my work out there, promote, nurture and present it myself, hands on at every step, just the way I wanted it. Amendments and additions can be made at the press of a button. And with the chance to publish in such a clever, self-controlled way finally there, how could I not take it?

Since taking that first tentative but easy step into the world of self-publishing almost five years ago, I have written twenty-one novels and been lucky enough to see each one become a bestseller in its category both here and in the United States, Canada and Australia, and seen more than one crack the top twenty in the entire Kindle store. This is something that can be achieved by a good story, hard work and dedication, because Amazon puts all the tools into the hands of the Indie author. Quite simply – it is all up to you.

Of course, it’s not all a bed of roses. You are self-employed, and subject to the same stresses and worries as any independent company. But you are also your own boss. The Indie road is paved with broken hearts and frustration, and it gets harder and harder to maintain your visibility. Who knows what next month or next year will bring? But I love being an Indie author – I love it for giving me the chance to interact personally with my readers and fans, every day. I love it for giving me the freedom and tools to pursue my life’s dream. And I love it for giving me a platform from which to share my imagination with the world.