An Independent Author is a writer who publishes their work without the support of a traditional publishing house. This means they take charge of the entire process, from writing and editing to marketing and distribution. Many independent authors choose to self-publish their books, often using platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Smashwords to reach readers directly. Being an independent author allows for greater creative freedom, as they can write what they want without adhering to a publisher's guidelines. However, it also means they must handle all aspects of their book's success, including cover design and promotion, which can be both exciting and challenging.