I’m very excited to be joining Indie Life. The second Wednesday of every month a group of indie writers post on things related to being an indie author.
When it comes to being an indie author, I feel like a baby. I’ve only been published just over two months. The decisions to self-publish was only about seven months ago. There’s still so much out there to learn and do. But I love it! So I’m starting my first Indie Life post with my top five reasons I find joy in being an indie, in no particular order. And yes, some of these are applicable whether you’re traditionally or indie published.
- Control. Yup. I’m a control freak and being able to have control over all the little details makes me giddy. Okay, fine, it also brings the occasional headache, but overall I love it.
- Support. I’ve been very blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, and other writers who have whole-heartedly supported my decision to self-publish. Knowing those around are behind the choices I make, even when I announce I’m taking the indie route, makes me thankful.
- Connections. Between other authors, book bloggers, and readers, I love the way I get to connect with other people as an indie.
- Flexibility. I love that I can maneuver however I want/need to. Like releasing a prequel. I didn’t think that would come until later, but readers wanted to know more about a character and I’m so happy to give it to them sooner instead of later.
- Dream. I get to live my dream every. Single. Day. Yes, sometimes it gets exhausting to write/edit/market/ect. but on the whole, I’m so happy to share my stories with others!
Janeal Falor 
20 replies on “Indie Life – The Joy of Being Indie”
I’ve been publishing for a few years now and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I do love the independence it gives me. And like you, I find joy in of the things you mentioned… especially having a wonderfully supportive husband behind me 🙂
Suzy Turner, YA Author
Independence really is awesome and supportive husbands are the best! 😀
Hi, Janeal:
Nice to meet you. I’m Shelly Arkon and well, I’m thankful that there are so many publishing options. Now if I could just figure out the marketing thing.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/2013/07/indie-life-things-i-miss-and-irk-me.html
Hi, Shelly! The options we have really are fantastic! Marketing is a bit stickery and requires a lot of things out of my comfort zone. The chocolate helps though!
No hoops.
Definitely something to be joyful about 🙂
What a lovely post! Great to meet you, Janeal, and congratulations on your book! What’s this about a prequel? 🙂
Thank you! It’s been great to meet you too! And yes, doing a prequel novella, Mine to Tarnish, coming out in December. It’s been awesome to work on.
I love being indie, too. The fan mail and networking are my favorite parts… outside of writing. It’s a blast. http://mpaxauthor.com
Networking is great! And fan mail is so super fantastic! Perfect picks for joy bringers.
It was my first Indie Life post, too. The flexibility and control are my favorite things about being an indie author. It is definitely exhausting, but so rewarding.
They are so great even with the exhausting. And yay for joining Indie Life!
All of the above! Oh, and no long drawn-out lags as a publisher schedules releases. When it’s ready (but only when it’s ready), upload and cheer!
That is definitely something to be happy about! One I really love as well!
Many of those same things! But I must admit I particularly enjoy the control over it all. For good or bad, it’s all on me.
Another control lover, yay! It’s so awesome knowing when something turns out fantastic it’s because of you and when something doesn’t turn out well, you can learn how to correct it.
Great post… meeting other authors is just fantastic:)
Thanks, Tania! I totally agree!
Control and flexibility are top reasons for me as well.
They are fantastic. Thanks for stopping by!