Are Self-Published Authors Really Authors?

Another day, another war between indie and traditional authors because of the niggling question, “Are self-published authors really authors?” Should self-published authors be given the credit of being called “published” authors at all? If you are even mildly active in the online author space, then you may have seen that someone recently posted a very interesting, and somewhat offensive, take about self-published authors. I say “someone” because I don’t actually know who it was. The name of the author whose opinion it is was courteously blurred out by another author who shared the polarizing post. But the post in question went as follows:

If you’re a self-published author then your initial response to this post is probably exactly what most of the responses were: annoyance, shock, and possibly a little bit of anger, depending on your general disposition. Here’s what I think, as a traditionally published author who didn’t have to self-fund the publication of my debut novel: you’re a writer because you write and you’re an author because you’re published…whether traditionally or self-published. That’s what I believe. The only difference is that one group of authors gets pre-validation of their work in order to have the privilege to not have to pay or self-fund their works in order to become published.

Now, are there some terrible, terrible, self-indulgent self-published books out there? Yes, definitely. Of course there are, because anyone can choose to upload their books onto the relevant self-publishing platforms. But there are also some terrible, terrible, self-indulgent traditionally published works as well. Let’s not pretend that we haven’t read some monstrosities that a literary agent or publisher believed in for whatever reason. And don’t get me started on how the trad pub industry sometimes feels like a popularity contest or a political views playground. Some of these trad-pubbed authors may only actually have been published because they share the same political beliefs as the agent who signed them and not because of the quality of their writing. But that’s a story for another day…or never.

Another point to note is that there are also some brilliantly written self-published works. My point is that the only difference between being self-pubbed and trad-pubbed is the pre-validation of trad-pubbed authors for their book to be published and as a direct result, they have no costs or, at least, fewer costs. Because let’s not forget that trad-pubbed authors have to do some of their own marketing now, too. Especially the debut authors who have no proven sales track-record.

So, why do I find this author’s take on self-publishing a little warped? Firstly, not every self-pubbed author is self-pubbed simply because they couldn’t find an agent. Some authors actually choose to self-publish because they want full creative control of their work, they don’t need any validation, or they don’t want to wait for someone to pick up their work the traditional way, since the traditional way tends to take longer.

Secondly, not every self-pubbed author “threw money at” the publication process of their book. In fact, a lot of them try to do as much of the process themselves with the tools and skills they have in order to save money. They are just everyday people who don’t have a whole lot of money to throw at an editor…and a book cover designer…and beta readers…and marketers. Phew! Just thinking about those costs is exhausting.

Anyway, I think the view that self-published authors are simply paying to play is a bit of a narrow take. So, while it’s perfectly okay to have an opinion, some opinions don’t have to be expressed publicly, especially if they aren’t edifying to others in any way.

Long story short, let’s all respect each other’s work and efforts. Whether you are self-pubbed or trad-pubbed, you wrote a whole book! And we all know that is not easy at all. So remember, it’s not a competition about whose writing career is more valid. It’s art.