Indie books push and shove their way to the forefront in 2012

A few years ago, self-publishing was considered to be for second-rate authors who couldn’t hack it with the pros.  But with e-books came more and more opportunities for newbie authors; thanks to services like Kindle Direct Publishing and Kobo Writing Life, some of those self published works are even pushing their way onto best seller lists, although not with out a little fight.

Although e-books were quickly recognized as a huge opportunity for self publishing, it’s taken a few years for those authors to see any success given the difficulty of unknown authors attracting readers.

In 2012, however, mainstream media started paying attention thanks to a little help from established, traditional authors. Bella Andre (who has had books published by Rachette, Simon & Schuster, and Random House) chose to leave the big companies and publish her own works, bringing major attention to move when she announced she was making more then twice as much money off of her books this year on her own. Authors like Andre help legitimize the practice of self publishing as do mainstream media when this year they abandoned old stigmas and for the first time ever The New York Times reviewed a self-published book.

Other established authors aren't so pleased with the success of indie and publishing companies are getting nervous, having to come up with ideas to help indie authors and take them under their wings.

But, especially after authors like Andre, will indie writers even want to go corporate?