Trad versus Indie: The Struggle is Real

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A couple weeks ago, I attended a talk that was part of a local literature fair. I had no idea what to expect from this particular talk; I’d never heard of the author or the title, but I wanted to at least go to one event, and this one was at a good time, and in a familiar location. I also brought Muffin along, since the book was an MG graphic novel, and I always like to find out more about this genre, since my child consumes it at a similar rate to Garfield and lasagna.

So, we found some free parking, walked to the hosting bookstore, and settled in for…what turned out to be a half hour of the author rambling on about how the pandemic had affected her (er, didn’t it affect us all??), before finally getting to discussing what should be this super cute book involving classic horror tropes and roller derby.

Eventually, we came to the Q&A, and I asked the author who her publisher was, and mentioned that I was curious because, despite being a novelist, I ended up with a distributor that focuses a lot on indie comics.

To this I got a distinctly cynical response. The author asked if this group was still functional. Uh, yeah, I said, completely current with a live store online right now. She literally asked if I was interested in changing who I worked with. I had to bite back a snarky laugh. I politely answered, no, I love my colleagues, the support I get, and the creative freedom I maintain. She pretty much ignored this, and started signing books for the other attendees. I slipped in a quick thank you — manners count, even if it’s just for one’s own karmic balance — then Muffin and I headed out.

The short version is that this encounter has been rankling me ever since.

In plenty of other industries, if you’re an independent contractor, it’s treated as a brave, badass move, going against the system, all that. Why is that people going their own way in literature and art that it’s treated as…not worthy?

Those of us who have the talent, passion, and drive to make our words and visions come alive, despite the stranglehold the traditional publishing industry has on the market, don’t deserve unfair criticism from people who are in the same field.

Maybe I’ve been tremendously lucky, but I’ve never come across this bias personally before. I knew it was a thing, I knew other indies have had to deal with it at shops and in social media; I wasn’t naive about the situation. But whenever I’ve shared my journey in self-publishing, either in person or online, I’ve received positive feedback, praise and respect. Occasionally I get a bit of a doubting side-eye, but nothing like what happened at this event.

It’s offensive. It’s arrogant. It paints trad authors in a bad light. It also insults readers who choose indie publications for a bunch of valid reasons.

It means I’ve spent a fair amount of time lately ramping up my own accomplishments. Reminding myself of everything I’ve done, how far I’ve come.

And seriously debating leaving a scathing, anonymous review of this person’s book. Hey, I’m only human.

I’m honestly not embarrassed that I chose self-publishing. I don’t feel like I “settled for less.” Some of the indie works I’ve read have profoundly affected me emotionally and as a writer. My own books have received some pretty glowing reviews.

I have nothing to be ashamed of. This person’s narrow-minded rudeness shows a lot more about her than it does about me.

The only thing I’m going to keep ruminating over on this matter is the sincere hope that she won’t share this perspective with someone who may decide not to self-publish because of it.