Independent authors are writers who publish their work without the involvement of traditional publishing houses. They often take on multiple roles, including writing, editing, and marketing their books. This allows them greater creative control and the ability to connect directly with their readers. With the rise of digital platforms, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and Smashwords, independent authors can easily share their stories with a global audience. Many choose to self-publish their novels, short stories, or non-fiction works, allowing for diverse voices and unique perspectives in the literary world.