What if your scariest stories could become your biggest success?
In this month’s issue of Indie Author Magazine, we’re spotlighting David Viergutz—an indie horror author who transformed epistolary storytelling into a seven-figure publishing business. His journey is more than inspiring—it’s a roadmap for turning niche passion into scalable success.
But David’s story is just the beginning.
This issue is packed with practical advice for authors looking to build sustainable, independent careers—from unlocking your author brand to pricing strategies that reflect your true worth. We explore the growing power of direct sales, the magic of mailing list fiction, and how to future-proof your business by owning your platforms—not just renting space on Amazon or social media.
Whether you’re a genre-fiction veteran or just finding your author voice, this issue is your guide to building a writing life that lasts.
🧠 Featured Reads Include:
Turning Horror into High Revenue: How Indie Author David Viergutz Built a Million-Dollar Epistolary Empire
Some of the most fascinating stories of authors are the ones who approach publishing, storytelling, reader retention, or other aspects of our business from a unique angle; who leave behind the well-trod paths and explore new roads to success. These sorts of people are interesting for a variety of reasons:
Kevin McLaughlin
10 Powerful Strategies Indie Authors Can Use on Direct2Readers to Boost Book Sales
Selling directly to readers allows authors to retain more profits and fosters deeper connections. Yet, managing your own shop can demand significant investments of time and money. Enter Direct2Readers, a new magazine and discoverability platform by the publishers of Indie Author Magazine, which is designed to simplify direct sales and
Jenn Lessmann
Maximize Profits & Ownership with Laterpress: A Promising Direct Sales Platform for Indie Writers
For indie authors looking to dive into direct sales without hefty fees eroding their profits, Laterpress offers a compelling alternative. Traditional ecommerce setups typically levy transaction fees on top of payment processing costs, but Laterpress charges nothing beyond Stripe’s standard processing fees. Why Choose Laterpress? Established in 2022, Laterpress
Jenn Lessmann
Pricing Strategies for Indie Authors: Unlock Your True Value and Boost Your Earnings
The moment you hover over that pricing field in your book publishing dashboard, doubt creeps in. “Will anyone pay that much?”
“Maybe I should price lower to get more sales.” Like many indie authors, you might be caught in the trap of undervaluing your work. Jen Sincero would tell you
Gayle Trent
Crafting Middle-Grade Hits: How Indie Authors Can Combine Beloved Tropes for Irresistible Stories
In 1969, Dario Fontanella Gregori invented a new ice cream sundae that is iconic today in cafés throughout Germany. He started with the standard tropes—vanilla ice cream, red berry syrup, whipped cream, and grated chocolate—and built something surprising yet inevitable: a sundae that looks like a plate of
Laurel Decher
Clashing Desires in the Indie Author Ecosystem
Exploring longevity between retailers and indie authors
Samantha Margot
Embracing Vulnerability: How Indie Authors Can Leverage Brené Brown’s Insights for Creative Success
About ‘Daring Greatly’ by Brené Brown As an indie author, vulnerability is a constant part of your process, from penning deeply personal narratives to facing criticism once your work is shared with the world. But what if embracing your vulnerability could actually amplify your creative strength? In Daring Greatly, Brené
Karen Guyler
Why Indie Authors Must Build ‘On Their Own Land’: Securing Independence Beyond Amazon and Social Media
At the start of March of this year, a weeklong boycott of Amazon and other large companies organized by The People’s Union USA aimed to put pressure on businesses that had ended their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, raise awareness for workers at the companies, and support small businesses.
Nicole Schroeder
Building a Thriving Indie Author Business Without Social Media: Your Complete Guide
Dear Indie Annie, Is it possible to run a successful indie author business without social media? Between turmoil on certain sites and the toll it can take on my mental health, I would love to step back—but I worry it’ll be nearly impossible to connect with readers if
Indie Annie
Stories by Mail: How Indie Authors Are Sparking a New Epistolary Fiction Movement
For some decades now, it’s fair to assume the vast majority of people have rarely received paper mail they look forward to opening. As the internet grew, paper mail declined, falling by 46 percent between 2008 and 2023, according to the United States Postal Service. These days, our mailboxes
Audrey Hughey
How Indie Authors Can Build Audience Engagement with Platforms They Actually Own
In a world of sudden TikTok bans, Facebook freezes, and constant shifts on social platforms, authors can’t afford to rely solely on third-party systems for audience engagement and revenue. While direct sales can be effective, this approach isn’t feasible for everyone. Indie authors require solutions that balance essential third-party tools
Heather Clement Davis
Unlock Your Author Brand: How Indie Authors Can Win Readers and Boost Book Sales
How do you get readers to buy your books? Almost every author I speak to wants to know the answer to this question—really, it’s one every author has asked at some point in their career. All the book marketing tips in the world can’t offer a foolproof solution. But
Isabelle Knight
ALLi Exclusive: It’s Your Author Business, So Own It
Many authors choose the indie publishing route for its creative and commercial freedom and control, but this method also comes with enticing third-party platforms offering reach and visibility—ranging from publishing platforms like Amazon to social media giants such as Meta and TikTok. However, complete reliance on these third-party platforms
The Alliance of Independent Authors