Authors - "How Independent are you?"

 

What does it mean to be an independant author?

Freedom? Write your way, not the trade way?

Well, here is the list of rules for indie authors --

See any?  No?  That's because there are no rules. 

To truly be an independant author, you march to the beat of your own drum. It's risky, of course, but if readers read your books - Bravo!

Okay, before I drive deeper into this subject, there are a few things that I need to clear up. Number one, anybody can be a writer. It's easy. You write stuff down and presto, you're a writer.

However, to be an author, especially an independant author, you have to invest in yourself. Not just money, but also time; and as we all know, time is far more precious than money.

Indie Authors Need Lots of Hugs

Now, back to the indie thing:

Want a ten page prologue or and index - Check the rules first

Want to use AI for your cover - Check the rules first

Semi- colons, commas, dashes - Check the rules first

I could go on, but you get the point? There are no rules.

That being said, some indie authors seem to forget that there are no rules for the indie. Although, a few indie authors will belittle their fellow indie brethren for the choices they make or do. Strange isn't it? 

The line I like the best - "Do whatever you want, but I would never do that." 

I'm older now, and the world of writing and being an indie author is evolving - so I must incorporate a rule -- 

Rule #1 - As an indie writer/ author - when you write, the words must be your words, your thoughts, your ideas - everything else about getting those words thoughts and ideas to the readers are fair game.

Sorry, I know, rules suck, but that one is an important one. 

Here's the rub of it; if author 'A' is selling a lot of books and they followed the one and only rule - I say Bravo! 

If Author 'B' thinks they cheated or they aren't doing it the right way - too bad - a capitalist will always seek a way to stay ahead of the game, and as an (indie) author or any other kind, sales are a good thing. 

Hackers or AI prompt authors are like processed food - sure it taste good with a few drinks or a glass of wine, but the next day, well, dare I say, no one likes diarrhea. 

Be kind to strangers, because they're strange, and scary too.

Love the one you're with!

j/k