Why isn't there an Association for Indie Pubbers?

Have I missed it completely? Is there one I've overlooked? And why aren't more authors clamoring for something that protects them? I don't mean just a club of people who belong and share info, but I mean an association by which all members have made commitments to each other and the public. And the association, in turn, protects the writers etc.

I think the new dawn of self-publishing should have a membership group that does the following:

1. Requires a membership fee, yearly/monthly? And for that fee it
2. Requires a certain set of editing standards which include:
3. Requires certain etiquette standards

I won't say this will fix anything, but wouldn't it go a long way into establishing the credentials of self-pubbers so that we

• Could be reviewed fairly and that reviewers would feel safe in posting reviews
• Could remove some of the stigma associated with self-publishing
• Could have an easier time with copyright infringement etc.

I'm sure there are other things the association could/should do for the members. These were just random thoughts I had.

I'm excited to self-publish. But then again, I'm not doing it because I think i'll get rich, or I think traditional publishers are bad (on the contrary, I love traditional publishers). I'm just a control freak by nature, and I love the idea of building my OWN business and I like the idea of hard work. I could go on about it but you can read why I chose self-publishing on my blog below. (if you're interested, that's not the point - I'm getting sidetracked heh).

I've been a blogger for most of the last 3 years and that's how I earn my living. I've also had the benefit of other internet marketer associations to help with that. I thought it might be helpful to have such a thing for the indie pubbers.

PS: Don't bite my head off. It would just be an empty meal. Like Chinese fast food, you'll be hungry for another head later. =D

PPS: No getting head jokes. kk thx

Al Stevens said:

Independent people tend to be loners. The notion of an association of independents seems an oxymoron. Join an association and become dependent?

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LOL I dunno if that's necessarily true? Is it? I mean a lot of self-publisher belong to forums, (case in point *points above at AWers*) and they seem to like the camaraderie.

merrihiatt said:

I have two thoughts on this:
1. I believe self-publishing and independent or "indie" publishing are two different things. I am not an independent publisher. I publish my books myself, therefore, I am a self-publisher. If I decided to offer publishing services in a way that I deemed appropriate (and that may or may not follow trade publishing standards), then I would consider myself independent.
2. As a self-published author, I answer directly to the readers and the reviewers (not personally, of course, but they are the ones who give me negative or positive feedback and ultimately purchase my books or not). Why would I want to answer to another body/organization? If I wanted to do that, I would submit to publishers (trade and/or independent).
I'm not saying it's a bad idea, so please don't take that as my message. I'm simply not sure who, as a self-published author, would want to join and jump through hoops.

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Thing is that getting reviewed is a big part of publishing. I don't know how big, but I'd guess quite a few sales come from blog reviews. Well, honest ones like Dear Author etc. I guess I'd want to jump through hoops for the right association, in order to have a larger audience of reviewers. "Right" being the operative word. There have to be other self-publishers who are willing to do that.

I don't think that submitting to an editor/publishing house is the same as being part of an organization that promises certain things within a group of self-publishers.

And traditional publishing houses have a lot more to do than just promising a good edited copy. They take control out of the authors hands for the most part. I hope it's not copy editing that keep people from traditional publishing houses.

What I mean is that I chose self-publishing because I'm excited to market my own book. Use my own covers. Develop me own characters. Speak in my own voice. Handle my own money. I can still do all of that while promising, though an organization, that I will edit my books to the best of my ability and not become a liability to my fellow self-pubbers by going out and trashing reviewers.

I also would rather not spend my time writing DMCA take down notices and handling legal matters etc.

veinglory said:

There's several and you can join associations for small independent publishers too. The question is what do you get by being a member? (And whenever editorial standard come up, there is a big fight with reference to 'elitism' and it doesn't happen).

http://www.independentauthorsguild.com/
http://www.independent-authors.org/

etc

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Yeah, I was wondering about that, Emily (please let me know if you prefer veinglory). Thanks for the links. I guess that's the problem then. I just see a growing number of self-published authors being boxed into the trash heap along with the others because they didn't bother to check their work etc. And then reputable review sites are unwilling to even lower themselves to ALLOW a self-publisher to submit to them, let alone review the book or read a blurb.

Part of that is the editing, but a big part is the behavior of the author. If review sites could be guaranteed of that an author has higher standards than most, maybe they'd be willing to give some authors a chance.

And then there's the lawyer on staff which everyone uses on retainer I suppose (pays dues for that).

Like I said, it's just an idea.

The two sites you linked were... well, not what I would be interested in.

The first one has links that lead to 404! Page Not Found, not to mention advice on some website that you pay to format and recommend advertising by using MySpace. MySpace? Really? Really?

The second link is kind of awesome. Their code of conduct rules especially:

Members of the Association of Independent Authors (AiA) shall actively maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct by acting with integrity, honesty and professionalism to enhance the reputation and standing of independent authors as a whole, and the professional standing of the AiA as the peak body representing independent authors.

In their work and when dealing with others, members of the AiA shall:



develop and maintain their writing skills at the highest level, and recognize the importance of ongoing improvement;
behave professionally, ethically and with dignity when dealing with others in the publishing supply chain eg booksellers, distributors, editors etc.
seek and accept with grace, genuine and well-intentioned criticism of their work;
provide honest, unbiased advice, guidance and encouragement for other AiA members;
assist other AiA members with their professional development;
properly credit the contribution of others, and not copy any portion of the written works of others without the appropriate acknowledgments;
accept responsibility for their words, actions and omissions, and not make false or misleading statements that are injurious to others;
not post offensive, abusive or inappropriate content on their member blog, on other member blogs, or in AiA Groups or Chapters.
treat others fairly regardless of race, religion, sex, age or national origin;
obey the laws of the country in which the writer is performing their craft.
Additionally, members should not feel compelled to defend independent publishing in public forums. This time is best spent perfecting our writing skills, rewriting and editing their work, and focusing on marketing and sales opportunities.

Breach of Code of Conduct
A member may be barred from membership of the AiA in the event of a serious breach, or a series of breaches of the Code of Conduct.

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I don't see anything with regards to sexual orientation in their code of conduct. I dislike that intensely. As part of a marginalized class who faces a lot of bullying, that should be included in any organization I join. >8( Damn. I liked them too.

shaldna said:

And that's their choice

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Which was my point in the first place. oO Part of my entire post was to help them make a different choice. >8/

shaldna said:

Do you know how much a good lawyer costs? It's a lot. And they have a limited amount of time.

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I haven't created this organization. I haven't done any of the figures. I am only making suggestions. I'm sure there are loads of problems with my suggestions. You could argue a hundred points of why not. But the point isn't why not? The point is who would and why.

I don't think anyone speaks for the whole self-publishing community. I understand that you aren't interested. I was wondering if anyone would be. Not that I"m starting such an endeavor - I can barely make my minimum word count =D It is something that I would be interested in though.

veinglory said:

To have a good lawyer alone would probably take membership in the hundred all paying dues in the hundreds, and from those who apply you would presumably turn down those not meeting editorial standards--making staunch enemies as you go... it sort of never really happens. Instead we get free or cheap groups that take everyone and do very little.

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Yeah I figured as much. It's sad really, because there's strength in numbers. Which is, I guess, why some people don't risk self-publishing. Still, it's something I would be interested in. Does seem like i"m the only one though. Heh. (that's not the first time for me lol)

Dannica said:

There are:

http://www.spannet.org

and

http://www.pma-online.org

but I don't know that they do what exactly you are looking for. They are certainly a good place to share resources and knowledge from one independent publisher to another though.

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Thanks Dannica =) I am interested in those type of orgs so even if it's not exactly what I was looking for, it's cool that you and Emily shared the links with me. I'll definitely be looking into all four links.