Why Readers Should Explore Indie Author Books

Are Self-Published Books Really Any Good?

You've probably seen the words “independently published” or “self-published” while browsing for a book on Amazon, Goodreads, or perhaps even in your local bookstore.

And you may have wondered:

Is this book any good?

It's a reasonable question.

Traditional publishing has been around for generations, and most of the books readers encounter in bookstores, libraries, newspapers and bestseller lists come from established publishing houses. Independent publishing, by comparison, can sometimes seem like the Wild West of the book world.

But here's the thing:

A book's publishing route doesn't determine whether it's a good book.

Some independently published books are terrific. Some aren't. The same can be said of traditionally published books.

The challenge for readers isn't deciding whether all indie books are good. It's learning how to recognize a good one when you find it.

So, What Exactly Is an Indie Author?

An independent, or indie, author is essentially an author who retains control over the publication of their work rather than turning the publishing process over to a traditional publishing company.

That doesn't mean the author necessarily edits the manuscript, designs the cover, formats the book and handles every aspect of publication personally.

Quite the opposite.

Many serious indie authors hire professional editors, proofreaders, cover designers, formatters, publicists and other specialists. The difference is that the author remains in control of the publishing process and makes the decisions about the book.

In other words:

Self-published doesn't necessarily mean self-edited, self-designed or homemade. It means independently published.

Isn't Self-Publishing Just Vanity Publishing?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about independent publishing.

The old vanity-press model involved authors paying companies to produce books, often with little concern for whether those books would actually find readers. That model still exists, but it shouldn't be confused with modern independent publishing.

Today, an author can publish independently using many of the same professional services employed by traditional publishers.

The author may pay an editor to improve the manuscript, a designer to create the cover, and a formatter to prepare the book for print and digital publication. They may also work with distributors, publicists and marketing professionals.

The important difference is who controls the publishing operation and the rights to the work.

And there is another important point:

Not every traditionally published book is great, and not every independently published book is great.

There is no publishing model that guarantees a good story.

Does Self-Published Mean the Author Couldn't Get a Publisher?

Not necessarily.

Some authors do turn to independent publishing after failing to find a traditional publisher. But that's only one reason authors choose the independent route.

Authors may choose indie publishing because they want greater control over:

• Their story

• Their cover

• Their publication schedule

• Their rights

• Their pricing

• Their marketing

• Their relationship with readers

Some authors simply don't want someone else deciding what their book should look like or when it should be published.

And increasingly, independent publishing has become a deliberate choice rather than a last resort.

So How Can a Reader Tell if an Indie Book Is Any Good?

This is where things get interesting.

The good news is that you don't need a degree in publishing to make a reasonably informed decision.

You already have most of the tools you need.

Start with the sample

Most online booksellers allow you to read part of a book before buying it.

Use it.

The first few pages can tell you a surprising amount. Does the writing hold your attention? Are the characters interesting? Does the story make you want to keep reading?

And, perhaps most importantly, do you enjoy it?

That's ultimately what matters.

Look at the reviews—but read them

A four-star book with hundreds of thoughtful reviews may tell you more than a five-star book with a handful of ratings.

Don't simply look at the number beside the stars. Read what readers actually say.

A three-star review isn't necessarily a bad review. A reader might give a book three stars while praising the characters, story and writing but explaining that the pacing wasn't quite right for them.

That information can be extremely useful.

And if you're wondering why reviews are particularly important to independent authors, we've explored that question in more detail in Why Reader Reviews Matter in the Digital Age, part of our Author's Insights series.

Look beyond the cover

A professional-looking cover is encouraging, but it isn't proof of a good book.

The same applies to a traditionally published book.

A beautiful cover can sell a book. Only the story can make you want to finish it.

Look at the author

Does the author have other books?

Is there a website?

Do they provide information about themselves and their writing?

Have readers reviewed their other work?

None of these things guarantees a great reading experience, but they can give you additional information before you spend your money.

Where Can You Find Good Indie Books?

You may already be finding them without realizing it.

And here's another misconception worth clearing up:

Indie books aren't limited to online bookstores.

Independent authors can make their books available through traditional brick-and-mortar booksellers as well as their online divisions. Depending on the author's distribution arrangements, an independently published book can potentially be found through retailers such as Indigo/Chapters in Canada, Barnes & Noble in the United States, independent local bookstores, specialty booksellers and other retail channels.

That means the distinction between an indie book and a traditionally published book isn't necessarily where you find it.

You can walk into a bookstore, pick up a book from the shelf, and have no idea whether it came from one of the world's largest publishing houses or an author who independently published the book.

The same applies online. The book may appear alongside traditionally published titles in the same search results and retail catalogues.

This is one of the less obvious benefits of modern self-publishing: it doesn't necessarily create a separate marketplace for independent authors. It can give them access to much of the same marketplace used by traditionally published authors.

Of course, availability varies. Not every independently published book will be stocked on a physical bookstore shelf, and distribution arrangements differ from author to author. But independent publishing doesn't automatically mean “available only on Amazon.”

And that's good news for readers.

You can discover an indie author in exactly the same places you discover any other author—online or in the bookstore around the corner.

The key is to search for the type of book you already enjoy.

If you love mysteries, look for indie mysteries.

If fantasy is your thing, explore independently published fantasy.

If you enjoy romance, science fiction, historical fiction or thrillers, there are independent authors writing in all of those areas.

In fact, knowing what you like can give you a considerable advantage.

You don't have to search through millions of books hoping to stumble across something good. You can start with a genre, theme or type of story you already know you enjoy.

Then investigate.

Are Some Genres Better for Indie Books?

Independent publishing has become particularly strong in several popular genres, including romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery and thriller.

That doesn't mean those genres are automatically better—or that readers should limit themselves to them.

It simply means there are large and active communities of independent authors and readers in these areas.

And that's good news for readers.

The larger the community, the more opportunities there are for readers to discover authors whose stories might never have crossed their path through traditional publishing.

Sometimes the best way to discover a new author is simply to follow your interests rather than a bestseller list.

Are Indie Books Cheaper?

Often, particularly in digital formats.

That can make trying an unknown author considerably less intimidating.

If you've never heard of an author and their ebook costs a few dollars, you're taking a relatively small financial risk. Many authors also offer samples, introductory pricing or the first book in a series at a particularly attractive price.

But don't make the mistake of assuming cheap equals good—or that an expensive book is automatically better.

Price tells you what a book costs. It doesn't tell you what it's worth.

What About Books That Started Independently?

Perhaps the most effective way to challenge the idea that self-published automatically means “second-rate” is to look at what has happened to some independently published books after they found an audience.

There are numerous examples of books that began as independently published works, developed a significant readership and became successful enough to attract the attention of traditional publishing houses. Some were subsequently acquired, rereleased or distributed through traditional publishers and went on to achieve considerable commercial and critical success.

The important point isn't that every independently published book will follow that path.

Obviously, it won't.

The point is much simpler:

The route a book takes to reach readers doesn't determine the quality of the story inside it.

And you don't have to take our word for it.

Check for yourself. Search for:

“Successful books that started out as an indie publication and received critical acclaim.”

You may be surprised by what you find.

And perhaps that's the real opportunity for today's reader. Somewhere among the enormous number of independently published books is an author you've never heard of, writing a story you haven't discovered yet.

You just have to be willing to look.

The Bottom Line

So, are self-published books any good?

Some are. Some aren't.

But that isn't a particularly useful distinction because the same answer applies to traditionally published books.

The advantage readers have today is choice.

There are more books available than ever before, and independent publishing has opened the door for authors whose stories might once never have reached the marketplace.

Some will be wonderful.

Some will be disappointing.

And some may surprise you.

The important thing is not to reject a book simply because it carries the words “independently published.”

Instead, take a look.

Read the sample.

Check the reviews.

See what other readers are saying.

And if the story grabs you, give the author a chance.

After all, every established author was once an author whose name you didn't recognize.

Don't choose a book because it was traditionally published. Don't reject one because it wasn't. Choose it because you want to turn the page.

That may be the best reason of all to explore an indie author.