Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week 2022
- Keighley Bradford
- Jul 27, 2022
- 2 min read
Did you know that the 24th - 30th July is Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week? The event was originally coined by the Witty and Sarcastic Book Club in 2021.
As a self-published author, I was absolutely stocked to stumble upon this on Twitter earlier this week. It's another way of supporting self-published authors, as well as helping de-stigmatise the publishing pathway. While self-publishing has been around for a while, it's only recently, through the evolution of technology, that the acceptance of independent publishing has grown immensely in support as an appropriate form of publication.
Through the evaluation of self-publishing, I have been blessed with the ability to share my stories with the world, contribute to anthologies with other amazing indie authors, as well as attend and participate in some incredible events. And, as a romance author, I'm extra lucky to have an audience who appreciates writing in all its forms, be it traditionally published, self-published, or a hybrid - which means that I'm able to still reach and connect with my audience, whilst maintaining the luxury of creative control that self-publishing gives. (Plus, I'm one of a few people who also enjoy the admin side of running a business as an author - and yes, it's a business).
I am honestly so fortunate to be a part of the amazing community, which has provided me with the opportunity to live my childhood dream of sharing my stories with the world. I was absolutely blown away by the incredible support I received as a debut indie author, and am forever grateful to all the indie authors I have had the pleasure of meeting since becoming a part of this community. Their support, advice, and guidance have been invaluable.
So how can you get involved this year?
Read and review self-published books!
Shout out your fave indie authors!
On that note, if you have read my books, I would absolutely appreciate a review to help other readers out there discover if it's something they'd be interested in reading. To leave a review, head to Goodreads or to your bookshop's site to leave a review on their page.
PS: If you’re an indie author (or indie creative), go give IF Maitland a follow to learn more about how we’re supporting indie creatives in Australia. Our festival is in October 2022 and I'd love to see you there!
PPS: Read on for some indie book recommendations!
Indie Read Recommendations
Winslow Brothers Series, Max Monroe
Dark Love Series, Kat T. Masen
Roomie Ears, Kat T. Masen
Willow Creek Valley Series, Corinne Michaels
Stanton Series, T.L. Swain
Small Town Big Rumours, Willow Winters
What stood out to me in the article was the emphasis on how self published authors often navigate a dual identity operating as both creators and their own marketing departments. The point about visibility being shaped less by literary quality and more by the author’s ability to cultivate micro communities felt especially revealing. I kept thinking about how discussions in spaces like
New Assignment Help Australia explore similar tensions between creative autonomy and structural support. If authors are required to perform these layered roles it raises a broader question about whether our current literary ecosystems inadvertently reward entrepreneurial skill over narrative experimentation. I wonder what might happen if local libraries or small presses adopted mentorship models that redistributed some of…