What are some of the best indie fiction books?

One popular indie fiction book is 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It was self - published initially and later became a huge hit. Another is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' which started as indie erotica before getting mainstream attention (although this contains adult themes). 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline also had indie origins.

Well, 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons can be considered a great indie - like fiction. It has a complex and engaging story. Then there's 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. The world - building in this indie - flavored work is extraordinary. And don't forget about 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. Although it became mainstream, it has the kind of edgy and unique storytelling often found in indie fiction.

One great indie sci - fi work is 'Primer'. It's a mind - bending time - travel movie that was made on a relatively low budget but has a really engaging and complex plot. The filmmakers managed to create a unique take on time - travel concepts that keeps the audience thinking.

For beginners, 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle is a wonderful choice. It's a science - fiction adventure that's not too complex. 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' series by Rick Riordan is also very beginner - friendly. The stories are exciting and the characters are easy to love. And 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl is a charming indie fiction book that kids and new readers of all ages can enjoy.

A characteristic is that they can be more niche - focused. They might target a specific group of sci - fi fans who are interested in certain sub - genres like bio - punk or space opera with a very different spin. Also, indie sci - fi books sometimes have a more personal touch. The author's individual vision and passion are more evident compared to some mass - market books. Since they don't have to go through as much corporate filtering, they can be rawer and more authentic in their storytelling. For instance, an indie author might write about a very personal view of the future of artificial intelligence based on their own research and beliefs.

Some of the best indie science fiction and fantasy novels include 'Hyperion' by Dan Simmons. It's a complex and multi - layered story that weaves together different tales of pilgrims on a journey to a mysterious planet. In the fantasy realm, 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is highly regarded. It tells the story of Kvothe, a young man with a tragic past and great potential for magic. Also, 'Altered Carbon' by Richard K. Morgan is a great sci - fi. It has a really interesting concept of digital consciousness and body - swapping in a far - flung future society.

One of the great publishers for indie fiction authors is Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. It offers wide distribution and a large reader base. Another is Smashwords, which helps indie authors get their work out in multiple e - book formats. Also, Draft2Digital is quite popular as it simplifies the process of getting your fiction published and distributed across various platforms.

Well, it's hard to put an exact number on the market share of indie science fiction books. Indie books face challenges in getting shelf space in physical stores and visibility on major online platforms. However, with the growth of digital platforms and niche audiences, their share has been slowly increasing. Some indie authors are able to build a dedicated following through social media and online communities, which helps boost their share in the overall science fiction market.

One indie science fiction book that I really like is 'Ancillary Justice' by Ann Leckie. The story follows a sentient spaceship's AI as it tries to seek revenge. It has a very different take on gender and power dynamics. 'Blindsight' by Peter Watts is also a great choice. It's a thought - provoking book that deals with consciousness and alien intelligence.

One of the indie games with an amazing story is 'Undertale'. It offers a unique and heart - warming tale that challenges the player's moral choices in a very engaging way. The characters are deeply developed and the different paths you can take in the game lead to diverse and thought - provoking storylines.