Mediaboss Marketing

Feature Self-Publishing Calls Itself Independent Publishing as Independent Publishers Search for a New Term

by Nina L. Diamond

We have a very big word problem.

The problem surrounding the words independent, indie, independent publisher, indie publisher, independent publishing, indie publishing, independent author, and indie author.

Small press used to be the term commonly used for an independent publishing house. Then, nearly 20 years ago, that term was replaced by the terms independent publisher and independent publishing house (often also called indies, indie publishers, and indie presses), because the word small was misleading and inaccurate. Many independent houses are quite large. Now, small press is a term only used to describe a press that's actually small: one that only publishes a few titles each year.

Independent publishers need a new term once again, not because that one isn't a good one, but because the stigma still attached to variations of the term self-publishing has led self-published authors to now call themselves independent (and indie) publishers and authors.

This has caused much confusion and frustration throughout the independent publishing wing of the book biz.

"Calling self-publishers... 'Independent' is a misnomer. It's like calling your pot dealer an independent pharmacist," wrote Jarek Steele, co-owner of Left Bank Books, a St. Louis independent bookstore, in a July 3, 2011 blog post about what self-publishers are really facing in the marketplace. "There are no quality controls, no support from professional publishers, no support from bookstores -- and that's just for the writer. The reader gets the short end, too."

Steele's post spoke for many in the publishing industry who share his views, and not just authors, editors, and publishers.

"I know I'll get a lot of flak for pointing out the uncomfortable truth, but it is the truth," he wrote. "Independent Publishers are businesses...those are true indies. Not the snakeoil salesman who promises riches beyond your wildest dreams -- for the right price. To call this Independent Publishing is insulting to the agents, publicists, sales reps, accountants, yes even credit reps in the publishing business, and truthfully it's insulting to independent bookstores. Just because you borrow a term and apply it to something else doesn't mean it's true. Words actually mean something."

Read the original here:
Wanna Be Called IPPY Publishers?