An indie author, definitely. I've had two agents, and neither of them sold my books.

I'm not adverse to working with an agent again, if the right one seeks me out. If I were approached by a publisher, I would seek an agent, or possibly a lawyer, to negotiate the deal.

 

An Indie Author Lifer.  I've had three agents in my writing life and have been published by many of the big six but I much prefer to be in charge of my own books.  If you are industrious and check out all of the advice (especially on this forum) you can make a go of it and come out far better than with a trad pub and agent.

 

I'm too new to say with any amount of certainty, but I'm LOVING the adventurous, DIY feel of going indie.
And I'm loving the support of this group.

I'm loving everything about it, really. 

Shana

 

I'm a lifer. Does that mean I should get a tattoo of some kind? 

 

Definitely an indie author lifer - I've had two agents and neither have sold my book. I must like hard work or be a somewhat closeted control freak, but I do enjoy the control of my own product. I'm not soured on agents. I suppose if a good one approached me, I might be interested. For now, that's not my focus at all.

 

Definitely started out as an ASA -- I spent so many years writing queries and anxiously awaiting replies.  I'd say that 98% of the agents never got past my query letters, which in my opinion weren't bad letters.  With my last book I didn't even bother querying anybody, although in the back of my mind I wish I had to see what would have happened.

I don't feel comfortable calling myself an "Indie" since I only arrived at this point because I had no alternatives (it wasn't a choice).  But for what it's worth, I've queried my last agent.  I get everything I need doing it this way now...

 

Loving the responses already to this thread...thanks my kindleboards family!

 

I would still be happy to work with an agent for foreign sales. Given the present state of the industry, I wouldn't seek out traditional publishers, who are still focused on print and give unrealistic royalty rates to authors. Therefore I wouldn't have much to offer an agent in terms of making domestic deals.

 

Author with agent, always open to what the big six publishers have to offer, if anything. But the offer better be sweet, given my other options now.

 

Does Boyd Morrison still visit these forums after he's been picked up by an NY House?

 

I'm a very stubborn author. I refuse to change things in my book at someone's whim. If there's an error in my writing or something isn't working, I'll change it, but not because some suit thinks an Elf falling in love with a demon isn't "Marketable" (I know I seem bitter but I've had many arguments about several plot points in my book, that being one of them.)

So I'm indie all the way. Unless someone drops a hundred thousand dollars on my desk. Then I'll write crap for them and continue publishing the good stuff myself

 

I plan to seek representation for my next book, but I will go indie with it at the same time. I'm not sitting on another book through the old 12-18 months of querying, that's for sure.

I think there are still plenty of benefits to the traditional route, and given that we're always capable of writing more books, I'm not really concerned with "losing" one or several of them to traditional publishing. I think the best chance of success comes from pursuing the most possible options.

 

Of course, you don't have to have an agent to have a deal with a mainstream publisher. Currently I am both 'Indie' (self published via Kindle) and 'mainstream' (I have a programming paperback book due out in July with No Starch Press). So far I can see advantages and disadvantages in both routes:

1) Indie I have the last say in everything/ mainstream I have to arrive at compromises (for example on style) with my publisher
2) Indie I have to do all the proofreading and layout myself/ mainstream I have about 5 or 6 different people working on proofing and design
3) Indie I have to do all the marketing/ mainstream they have a marketing department, a network of distributors etc.

My ideal compromise would be to have all the creative control that Indie gives me with access to the proofing, design and marketing of a commercial publisher. I suspect that very few authors ever achieve that!   As for my Kindle novel, would I respond favourably to an approach from an agent or publisher? If it gets me more readers, absolutely.

 

None of the above.  I'm not currently looking for an agent, but they can certainly be helpful (even if it's just for selling foreign rights), and if one approaches me, I would be willing to talk to him/her.  I might even consider publishing with a traditional publisher if it were a really good deal.  However, I'm not actively seeking that out right now-- I'm pretty tired of the submission-go-round at this point.

 

I am at the very very beginning of my journey, and certainly enjoying this part of the ride.

I would be surprised if an agent thought my stuff was marketable, but if they did, I'd certainly sign up for paper copies, and keep e-book rights. Would also request that I continue to self-publish other work.

Won't lie and say it isn't a dream to win a prize or be on the bestseller lists, but self-publishing has certainly put the value of the 'traditional' dream into stark perspective.

 

I am an Indie lifer. At 70, I don't think I would have time to make it otherwise. That takes many years. I am happy these days to see the morning.

 

I am both an indie author and a traditionally published author with an agent.

I did the traditional thing first, have had 13 books published by the big 6, but have decided to go out on my own with other work. 

Will continue to publish both ways, there's nothing stopping me from doing both right now. I have contractual obligations to one publisher and write my other stuff as well.  Plus my agent is shopping other work as well, and if it doesn't sell, I will self-publish it.

 

I like having control over my writing and not having to wait around for a shot at success.  I would love it though, if some publisher gave me the "offer you can't refuse".

Joan  

 

Well, the agent thing seems to have just ended for me, though the contract runs until May. My agent is quitting the agent biz. So count me an indie lifer from now on.

 

If they offered me a bazillion dollars I'd allow an agent to work for me.

In the meantime I'll stick with being an indie, even if I'm not selling much.

 

I tried to get an agent. i sent out many queries and never got a word of interest. So now, I am an indie author.

However, I won't say I will never have an agent, but I won't be looking for one anytime soon.

 

I'll be honest, I've never been that interested in an agent, even when I wasn't an indie.  You can always get an entertainment lawyer to help deal with contracts.

I might be interested in a WGA listed agent for movies rights, or other specific things, but I've never been what Kris Rusch calls a "take care of me" writer.  It's only been recently that agents have been so important, and frankly I see that as an anomaly.

Camille

 

Lifer.

 

I'm a lifer. Does that mean I should get a tattoo of some kind?

This is a great idea! I can't believe no one else is in.

INDY LIFE across the knuckles. What do you think?

 

I'm not at the point yet where I make most of my income from my writing. That said, I'd be open to having the conversation with an interested publisher or agent. However, I am aware of my options and would only sign on if I were convinced I'd be better off.