Did you know?

Indie authors earn more than authors who are traditionally published. ALLi’s 2025 Indie Author Income Survey found that median self-published author income was $13,500, growing at a healthy 6% year-on-year whereas the typical traditionally published author earned only $6k–$8k and was trending down. (ALLi)

Here are 10 more facts about self-publishing today.

1. The Indie Author Bookstore is now live. In Spring 2026 the Alliance of Independent Authors launched the Indie Author Bookstore, an online showcase of thousands of indie-authored books, all gathered in one place. You can explore it here. 

2. Self-publishing is now Plan A. Fewer than 50% of authors under 45 now want their next book traditionally published—meaning a majority actively prefer the self-publishing route. (Authors Guild)

3. Indies are selling direct. 30% of authors are now selling direct, with a further 30% planning to in 2026. (ALLi and Written Word Media)

4. Author Sentiment. 93% of indie authors describe themselves as somewhat or extremely positive about self-publishing. (Kingston University)

5. Reverse gender pay gap: Self-published women earn ≈41% more than men, the mirror image of traditional publishing. (ALLi)

6. Diversity: LGBTQIA+ authors out-earn straight counterparts by ≈20% and are proportionally over-represented among Indies. (ALLi)

7. AI is growing as a marketing tool: Up to 45 percent of authors are using AI for marketing and research. Some 70 percent of users report a positive impact on their business. (ALLi and BookBub).

8. Libraries are growing: More than 15,000 US indie authors have been given entry to libraries thanks to the Indie Author Project. (Publishers Weekly)

9. Author offerings continue to expand: Indie authors are moving beyond e-books and POD, into multiple formats and services, from audiobooks and libraries to speaking at festivals. (ALLi)

10. Indie authors are prolific: The average number of books written by authors spending 50% of their time or more writing was 14. (ALLi)

Self-publishing becomes proof of concept

Data from ALLi’s most recent Indie Author Income Survey shows a clear trend: as an author’s revenue increases, so too does the likelihood of securing a selective licensing deal with a traditional publisher. 

This is how the percentage of authors with a licensing deal looks against their revenue:

• Under $50,000 revenue: 20% of authors surveyed had a licensing deal
• $50,000:    30%
• $100,000: 46%
• $500,000: 90%

Self-publishing has become a proving ground. Authors are no longer knocking on the doors of publishers clutching manuscripts, instead publishers are ringing the doorbell of successful indie authors and asking to be let in, because indie authors have something they want:

• Large back catalogues (an average of 14 books in ALLi’s latest Indie Author Income Survey
• Loyal readers on mailing lists
• Demonstrable sales figures
• Market knowledge and skills
• And above all, a proven ability to generate revenue

These are the assets publishers have always sought, and historically have taken financial risks to discover. Now, those risks are significantly reduced. Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House, described this clearly in a recent interview with Publishing Perspectives (Spring 2026): “Weldon noted that while several services offer viable alternatives to the traditional publishing route, self-publishing also serves as a sort of feeder system, with more and more successful indie authors striking traditional publishing deals after building their audiences.”