What it Actually Takes to be an Indie Author

Everyone has a voice that wants to be heard. For a long time, being featured on TV, the radio, or in a magazine was a rare privilege. But with the rise of technology, freedom of speech has evolved. Getting in front of a camera to voice our beliefs has become an unfiltered norm.

Today, anyone can publish what they write. In fact, it’s so easy that everyone does it. Social media is the perfect outlet for those who once felt unheard. But let’s be honest: the threshold for true success is steep. There is a massive learning curve, and it takes immense motivation to overcome the initial silence or the sting of rejection.

It takes real courage to be a self-published author. Indie authors are often unfairly labeled as “Vanity Authors.” Critics point out that we didn’t go through an agent, write a query letter, or let an editor rewrite half our manuscript to “fit the market.” But they also forget that we didn’t part with most of our royalties. We are the strays who decided to take the reins of the wild horse. We chose to do it the hard way.

What It Takes

An Indie author must master editing, proofreading, marketing, sales strategy, business taxes, copyright, design, and AI tools. We are the ultimate multitaskers. We also face a daunting reality: there are more authors than ever and, seemingly, fewer readers every day. The competition is fierce, so we study the market like scholars. Publishing a book today is a literal act of defiance.

Making It Happen

My mom always told me: “Don’t start a war you can’t win.” I think she was channeling Sun Tzu, who said, “If a battle cannot be won, do not fight it.” She told me this at every stage of my life—from dealing with school bullies to presenting my thesis. It’s an all-or-nothing deal. “Do what you have to do to make it HAPPEN, Anechy,” she would say. In the end, the main race is against myself.

Is It Worth It?

I published my first book in May 2024. It was like going into labor—an agonizing project that cost me more than I expected. I blame my own initial ignorance of publishing tools, but I also learned that many people take advantage of an aspiring author’s dreams.

To cope with the struggle, I view my first book as a door opener. It allowed me to enter the publishing world, meet other writers, and finally talk to my readers. Despite the “labor pains,” it was worth every bit of it.

Lessons to Share

For an Indie author, every step is a new level in a video game. You learn from the experience and become a better player. Currently, I am “burning my eyelashes” (studying late) to discover new tools. Every day, I read publishing articles, listen to marketing talks, and follow UX designers for tech advice. I dedicate a full day each week to social media content, all while sending stories to literary magazines.

Keep in mind: I have a job and a family. Suddenly, “writing”—which many consider a simple hobby—has become a second full-time job.

Time to Write

My passion for the stories born in my head has become a challenging path. Every day is a new battle, and the biggest fight is simply finding the time to write.

“Life is what happens while we run from one crisis to another,” a friend told me recently. (Let me know in the comments if you know who originally said that!) In the meantime, I leave you with The Adventures of Patti and Barci: The City of Cats. After all, pets in Havana are meant to be unleashed.

[mc4wp_form id=911]