(By Gaius Konstantine / Editorial) A seismic shift has impacted the publishing industry over the last few years, with traditionally published books now accounting for only 13-25% of new titles. While these figures vary by genre and region, and publishing houses still retain an advantage for print books, the repercussions for the industry cannot be ignored.
This is at the crux of the matter: indie-published books can match traditional books in quality, but often do not. The critical advice is to prioritize quality at every stage.
On the plus side, Indies tend to produce more original works because they are not constrained by perceived market demand. The problem, however, is that quality is highly inconsistent, and I‘ve seen both extremes.
A portion of indie titles are very polished and professional in presentation. Independent authors often assign ancillary tasks to pros, and it shows. The covers are eye-catching, the text flows beautifully, and both syntax and grammar receive the attention they deserve. That’s great.
However, sometimes it’s not great. Mixed in with these professional-quality works, I’ve often found the complete opposite. Dozens of typos, poor structure, amateurish formatting, syntax issues, continuity problems, and plot holes are far more likely to be found in indie titles. When that happens, it tarnishes the image of all independents because bad news always travels faster.
But it gets worse. I’ve encountered a few authors who overestimate their own capabilities and take criticism poorly, ignoring dozens of flaws and inconsistencies as if they did not exist. Others feel they can deliberately brush aside industry standards because they want to be different. These people often rely on feedback from friends and family, who, while supportive, may not know what the industry demands. Without realizing it, these authors and their supporters create an echo chamber where genuine criticism is perceived as an insult.
The flaw with this approach is obvious, and any author who will not accept objective criticism is fated to repeat the same mistakes ad infinitum.
Ultimately, the main takeaway is to consistently prioritize quality if you choose the indie route. Quality should be your guiding principle—family may be forgiving, but readers and critics will not be.
Just remember, how you tell your story is just as important as the story itself.
Gaius Konstantine is the author of Fading Away: Dark Bay and a literary critic known for honest, no-nonsense takes on literature. He writes. He critiques. He calls it as he sees it.
Connect with him on X at @GaiusKonstantin.
