Indie Author Magazine

Indie Author Magazine launched in 2020 when publisher Chelle Honiker organized a Zoom group of 22 authors during the pandemic lockdowns. That community of writers became the editorial foundation of a professional monthly publication now available in print, digital (ePub + PDF), ebook, and audio formats. Each issue centers on a named expert or theme, covering the practical business side of self-publishing: cover design, outlining methods, distribution strategies, reader-direct marketing, AI tools, and business mindset.

Subscription Tiers#

• Free (90-day delay): Every article eventually becomes free — but non-subscribers wait 90 days after the issue releases to read it.
• Digital ($5.99/month or $59.99/year): Immediate access to the current issue, full back-issue archive in ePub and PDF, subscriber-only webinars, and discounts from Reedsy, BookFunnel, and other vendors. (The annual digital price was lowered from $79.90 to $59.99.)
• Print + Digital Premium ($9.99/month or $199.99/year): Everything in Digital, plus the printed magazine mailed quarterly, an enhanced Direct2Readers book listing, a quarterly Storyteller Showcase feature, and an AuthorAutomations.Social subscription.
• Standalone Monthly Print ($19.99/month): A physical magazine mailed every month (with digital access) sold separately through the shop — for readers who want print delivered monthly rather than quarterly.
• Podcast (free): "Indie Annie" reads each issue's articles aloud — a no-cost option for auditory learners on all major podcast platforms.

What You Get#

• Themed Monthly Issues: Each issue features a named author, industry expert, or specific topic (past issues have featured Joanna Penn, Becca Syme, and Darcy Pattison). Content goes deeper than blog-post length — full articles with practical application focus.
• Indie Author Training: Course marketplace and live webinar series from industry service providers, separate from the magazine subscription.
• Direct2Readers: Honiker's reader-discovery platform connecting authors with readers for new book launches and exclusive offers.
• Storyteller Showcase: Reader-facing discovery magazine where authors can buy a $100 classified-style listing to reach readers and industry professionals.
• Subscriber Forums: Private community access for paying subscribers to discuss issues and connect with other authors.

Who It's For#

• Business-Oriented Authors: Writers who want to understand the full self-publishing ecosystem — not just how to write, but how to publish profitably. Each issue addresses production, distribution, marketing, and financial strategy together.
• Audio and On-the-Go Learners: The free podcast delivers the full issue content without a subscription commitment.
• Conference-Goers: Subscribers receive discounts on Author Nation, Reedsy events, and other industry conferences, which can partially offset subscription cost.

Pricing: $5.99/month or $59.99/year (digital) | $9.99/month or $199.99/year (Print + Digital Premium, quarterly print) | $19.99/month (standalone monthly print). Podcast is free.

Strengths#

• Depth Over Breadth: Themed issues provide sustained coverage of a single topic rather than scattered tips. An issue on AI tools, for example, covers multiple platforms, implementation tactics, and business implications together.
• Multiple Formats: Print, digital, ebook, audio, and app access makes the content genuinely accessible across learning preferences.
• Community Origin: The pandemic Zoom origin story is not just backstory — editorial decisions reflect a community of working authors rather than a media company's marketing agenda.

Limitations#

• No Ongoing Community Platform: Unlike Scribophile or 20Books to 50K, Indie Author Magazine is primarily a publication, not an interactive community. Subscriber forums are available but are not the core offering.
• Print Cost: The Print + Digital Premium tier ($9.99/month or $199.99/year) only mails a physical issue quarterly; monthly print delivery costs $19.99/month ($240/year) through the shop. Print makes sense only for readers who strongly prefer physical magazines.
• 90-Day Delay: The free tier requires patience — a September issue won't be freely available until December, limiting its currency for fast-moving topics like AI tools.

Alternatives#

Jane Friedman's newsletter and blog (free) and The Creative Penn (free and paid) offer comparable education depth for authors who prefer written resources without a subscription. For a broader community experience alongside education, the SPF Community (selfpublishingformula.com) includes a podcast, Facebook group, and courses.