For many, the idea of self-publishing can be daunting. Does becoming an indie author really mean always going it alone?

While it’s true that self-published authors wear the decision-making hat (and most of the other hats, too), that doesn’t mean you have to reinvent the wheel. There’s a growing indie publishing community out there full of authors, editors, and other professionals with tons of knowledge to share. Why not learn from their experience while you’re still building yours?

These indie authors have shown that success in self-publishing is possible—and that it comes in many different forms. Read on for their thoughts on breaking into the self-publishing industry.

Amanda Auler

A mother by day and writer by spare moment, Amanda Auler is getting used to calling herself a Young Adult fantasy fiction author. At twenty-one she made a goal to be published by thirty and her debut novel, Daughter of the Sun, launched precisely one year and two weeks before her thirtieth birthday. Inspired by Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson and Juliet Marillier (to name a few), Amanda writes stories that explore emotional growth and personal resilience. When she’s not at her laptop, Amanda can be found roasting coffee in her garage (usually with a book in hand), improving her ASL fluency and trying to keep up with her three growing boys. She and her husband live in central North Carolina where they stay up too late watching “Top Chef” and eating fancy ramen. You can find her on Instagram.

As an indie author, what does “success” mean to you?

I think the answer to this will change with the seasons of my career. If you were to ask me a year ago I would have said success was holding my book in my hands, regardless of how many other people read it. Now? I think as long as new readers are finding it I consider it successful!

What accomplishments are you most proud of so far in your self-publishing career?

A creative writing teacher in Texas started a book club with my book as the center. I got to chat with the students on Zoom and see a whole new generation of writers blossoming. It was magic.

What misconception about self-publishing do you most want to debunk?

That you can’t be found in bookstores. Mine has made it into a B&N [Barnes & Noble] and a local place so far. Here’s to more!

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring indie authors?

Read what you want to write.

Harriet Everend

There was always something a little off about Harriet. She was the only one who lived and adored the dark and macabre, as well as the spooky. So, she decided, why not write horror stories with supernatural elements to them? Growing up in the middle of a cornfield in northeast Iowa, what else is there for an imaginative little girl to do? Harriet is the author of several published works, including Cursed Legacy, Aborted Justice, and The Summoning, as well as several submissions in anthologies. She has edited and published two volumes of HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology and is in the process of releasing a third, with a fourth on the way. Other forthcoming releases include pieces in two anthologies with Scott McGregor and Sabrina Voerman and Vile Love: A Collection of Poems, out in December. She lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with her husband and their four fur-children. And she doesn’t see that changing anytime soon (unless you wanna donate to her Ko-Fi to help her move to Europe). You can find her on Instagram and TikTok.

As an indie author, what does “success” mean to you?

For me, success is a few different things. First, it’s getting the next book out there (whether it’s an anthology, a collection or a standalone novel). Second, I want to see growth in sales with each new book coming out and in my recognition within the book and reading community as someone whose books should be read and be enjoyed. Finally, to be able to continue what I’m doing and be happy with it, to me, is a sign of success. I don’t want to keep doing it if I’m going to experience burnout.

What accomplishments are you most proud of so far in your self-publishing career?

I would like to say that all of my books being published are their own accomplishments and rightly so. However, I have two I’m most proud of: when I published my debut novel Cursed Legacy out there and for the world to see who I am as an author. Second, it would be the first anthology I decided to do and how successful (from my perspective) it was in terms of notoriety, sales, and the eventual expansion into three more volumes.

What misconception about self-publishing do you most want to debunk?

That you aren’t good enough to be traditionally published. I’ve heard this so many times, I’d be a millionaire. For me, and several others I know, we went on the path of self-publishing because we wanted to do things on our own terms, have our own control over what goes on and what happens with the end product. There are several I know that have dreams of getting traditionally published and that’s perfectly fine. It’s not something I’d want to go down. I’d rather have people see my books than to wait on a press for potentially years to release my book (and also have it not be the original product).

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring indie authors?

The big one that I will say: do your research and save your money. You will be spending a lot more than you expect to (if you know people who are willing to design you an appealing cover or do your editing at the most professional level as possible, that’s wonderful!). There are so many hidden costs that go into getting your book out there: cover design, editing, formatting, marketing. Which brings me to my second point: market, market, market! Market your book well before its release date, market it during and market it once the book has been out for a while. If you really want people to focus on your work, how else are they going to see it? You need to put it in front of them, show them WHY they should read your book over the millions of others out there. Make yourself stand out.

Heather Garvin

Heather Garvin works as a nationally certified sign language interpreter by day and writes a variety of romances in her spare time. Aside from working and writing, Heather is also a wife, new mom, and a fur mama to two dogs, two cats, and Tuskan: the horse who inspired the logo and name for her publishing company. There’s nothing Heather loves more than hearing from readers! Her latest release is Make Your Move, a small-town grumpy sunshine romance with an equestrian setting. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok.

As an indie author, what does “success” mean to you?

My goals and ideas of success can sometimes take away from “enjoying the journey,” so I try to find small successes every day. Whether it’s writing another chapter, selling more books than the day before, or getting tagged in a great review, they all give me a sense of success. Would I one day love to be a full-time author? Heck yes! But I still consider myself successful for this stage of my author journey.

What accomplishments are you most proud of so far in your self-publishing career?

My first book was a finalist for a book award! I can’t remember which award it was for the life of me, but that was exciting. I also recently had my latest release chosen for a book box subscription, so I’m excited to see how that goes!

What misconception about self-publishing do you most want to debunk?

The misconception that indie authors are only indie authors because they aren’t good enough to get published traditionally. I think this is a less common misconception now that indie books have become more popular, but many indie authors (myself included) never tried to go the traditional route. I love wearing all the hats!

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring indie authors?

Keep going! Learn as much as you can about everything you can. You’ll make mistakes along the way, and that’s okay! Almost everything you do as an indie author only ends up making you a better indie author. So publish the book, put yourself out there, be excited, and love what you do.

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Are you an indie author with a success story you’d love to share? Reach out to be considered for a future installment of Indie Author Success Stories!