My friend Kayla Olson brought something to my attention this morning. She pointed me to a rant, posted anonymously by someone at a book review site, screaming at DIY authors like me using the term “Indie,” as in Indie author or Indie publisher. Their contention was that Indie was a term coined by vanity presses to scam would-be clients into believing they were legitimate independent presses.
So, what’s the definition of independent press? Traditionally, it applied to a small trade press. Now, that definition has been muddied because vanity publishers have adopted the use of the term and self-published authors refer to themselves as “Indie published.” Am I self-published, then? Well … not if the definition of self-published means you only sell your books directly, which is how some define the term.
I don’t want to insult anyone by usurping a term I’m not entitled to use. I also don’t want to slap an unwarranted negative label on my work. I am the author, publisher, book designer, and cover artist for The Brevity of Roses. It’s a first-class job on all levels. Label it how you will. I don’t think readers care. So, for clarification—I’m an AUTHOR.
Update: You’ll notice in my sidebar over there —> that my book is now available in digital formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. The print version will be available at Amazon within a week, I hope.
Support your local indie, self-published, DIY author!
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Linda Cassidy Lewis 
Try as you might, you’re bound to offend someone, somewhere at sometime. Accept that now and prepare for it. And don’t let them get to you.
You are published. Who cares about the rest. 🙂
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True words, Dayner. (I almost said True dat, but I have a reputation to keep up now. ;-))
I am published … wonderful words. 😀
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I like the comments here and agree that in the end you’re an author, plain and simple. I’m published. Period. I published myself, and now I’m with a small publishing house. It doesn’t matter. My work is what maters – and the journey. 🙂
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Absolutely, Michelle. 🙂 Readers can judge my work and label it however they wish. I’m not concerned with any others.
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Come on print version! You know, published is published! It takes hard work, guts, and time to prepare a novel. You stuck with it and didn’t give up. I’m with the masses on this one, in that I don’t care how a book makes its way to my hands, as long as the story is good.
PS – The roses did have their first full bloom. I’ll post a picture of the Memorial Day – all I can say is WOW, the sweetness in my garden. However, I suspect it’s not near as sweet as it was for you to hit that publish button. 🙂
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I know, T.A. I check Amazon every hour. 😉
Yes, I know, these publishing things don’t matter to readers. And now that I’ve hit that publishing button, that’s where my focus lies.
I have some minis blooming, but none of the others yet. Well, maybe I should look outside before I say that. 😉
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