Independent vs Big 6

Let’s really sit down and discuss this… I’m really getting tired of us Independent Authors being considered “fake” because we opted to go our own route in lieu of signing with any of the Big 6.

I’m not the only one either.. Zombie Overload Author CM Wright brought up some very valid points, you can see her entire rant HERE but I’m going to post an excerpt from her rant to show you what we indie authors deal with daily from the Big 6 and their supporters.

“They pointed out that this author is a “REAL” author, who produces “COMMERCIAL” work, and receives “REAL” checks, unlike independent writers that most small-town local newspapers have piles of “Pick me! Pick me! notices on their desks.”

You know what my response to this idiocy is? Here ya go:

CM Wright brings up a very valid point in this rant (you can read it HERE).. Just because we’re independent authors doesn’t mean our work isn’t good. Just because some of us opt to self publish, while others use an independent publishing house, doesn’t mean our work is any less read worthy in comparison to an author with the big 6.

I’m not only an independent author.. I’m also the founder and CEO of a very LEGIT, independent publishing house. I may not have all the amenities that the big 6 offer their authors (advance pay and whatnot) but I treat my authors like they’re family and not simply a deposit into my bank account.

Independent Authors are just as “real” as Big 6 authors.. We aren’t “fake” like many claim. Our work isn’t crap like it’s claimed either. In fact, I’m willing to bet indie authors spend WAY more money and time on their books between formatting, editing, cover art, and promotional things, than any Big 6 author.

To call us “fake” authors implies that our hundreds if not thousands of fans are fakes as well. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Our community is HUGE.. Our community is growing DAILY.. Our fan bases are matching and in some cases SURPASSING authors of the Big 6…

Not only that.. There’s been 4 movies released within the last year that were based off books written by INDEPENDENT AUTHORS! Why? Our ideas are new, we step far outside the box and have morphed and changed things people thought they knew about.

WE are the voice of the literary world.. WE are the fresh eyes and ears surfacing from the underground. We have NO guidelines to adhere to, we have NO ONE to convince us that people aren’t interested in what we write… The sky is the limit for an Independent Author.. So much so that the Big 6 have lost authors to our community…

We are not “fake” authors.. We are every bit as “real” as the Big 6 authors.. Maybe more so since we actually socialize and befriend our fans instead of simply seeing them as a price tag.

What are your thoughts?