Taking the Pulse of Indie Publishing 2025 

Today, award-winning author Jo-Ann Vega takes the pulse of the indie author landscape—and the results are both encouraging and eye-opening. Drawing from recent 2024–2025 survey data, she breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and where self-publishing is heading next. From marketing myths to money realities, it’s a must-read for anyone navigating the indie space.

Whether the main purpose of your writing is financial or creative, it’s difficult to get a sense of where you stand without up-to-date and reliable information. While researching the market for current trends in advance of self-publishing my third book in five years, I reviewed recent surveys of self-publishers and industry professionals.

Here are highlights from a 2024 author survey from Written Word Media, a media company with a large community of authors, publishers, and industry professionals and subscribers. See: https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2024-indie-author-survey-results-insights-into-self-publishing-for-authors/

More than 1500 responses were received. This is a large number of responses indicating the results have more than face validity, i.e., they seem reasonable, are representative of the views of a large number of authors.

Just over three-quarters, 76%, are self-published authors. About 16%, or close to one-out-of-five respondents are hybrid publishers, meaning they both self-publish and use traditional publishers. This percentage can be expected to grow as independent and university presses shrink in number and self-publishing further cements itself as a viable literary and business option.

Not everyone’s primary motivation for writing is financial. Approximately 4-in-10 respondents are motivated by money, while 4-in-10 want to have their story told or write as a hobby. This means 80% of respondents want to see their efforts published.

The more money a self-publisher earns, the more money they invest in: the production quality of their books; professionally designed book covers and interiors; trained copy-editors and targeted marketing. To break out of the perception that self-published books are not professional or literary, it is imperative to invest money and time in producing and writing a quality book.

Top genres identified are romance, fantasy, science fiction, and thriller. Although non-fiction and biography sell the most overall books each year, targeted fictional series foster reader involvement and build a community of readers.

An average of eight books were published by respondents. These authors take a long-term view of their writing career and plan accordingly.

Nearly 80% of respondents cite marketing as the most challenging aspect of self-publishing, which consumes an average of 8 hours per week. Great news as most authors, me included, are not naturally drawn to non-creative extraverted activities.

Most overrated marketing activities are in-person author events and social media. The most underrated are reader magnets, for example free content to join email lists and backmatter links that do the same. Great news for authors—Both promote reader involvement and create community and do not require extraversion.

A 2025 survey of industry professionals, also by Written Word Media, confirms the growing popularity and legitimacy of self-publishing along with print-on-demand, POD, instead of costly and uncertain print runs. While the income of self-publishers varies widely, there are two unmistakable messages: If you want to earn more money and recognition, write and produce quality books that use marketing strategies to draw in targeted readers to build community.

Self-publishing is a legitimate publishing option with a strong and vibrant pulse that is here to stay. As I continue my self-publishing journey, I value being a member of a growing, innovative, and vibrant community. I hope you do too and feel validated by the news.

Author bio

Jo-Ann Vega, MA: Human Resource Management & Development, New School, NY, an award-winning author and poet, is a dynamic speaker with more than 30 years of experience presenting to academic, business, and community groups. This includes 20 years of experience as an adjunct faculty teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in management, leadership, and team building, plus extensive experience crafting business communications.

A lifelong learner and educator, Jo-Ann spent almost a decade researching and working on a memoir, Moments in Flight, 2021, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards, 2023-2024, Classics, Memoir, Bronze Medal Winner. The following year, 2022, Jo-Ann published an anthology of 50 poems she wrote over 50 years, Wolf Woman & Other Poems, Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards 2022-2023, Poetry, Bronze Medal Winner. A number of poems and personal essays have also been published.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

https://outskirtspress.com/momentsinflight https://outskirtspress.com/wolfwoman