Confessions of an Indie Author by David Corbin — Spoiler-Free Review (Indie Author Challenge 2026 # 11)
Excerpt: If you are an indie author, an aspiring indie author, or have ever been curious about the process of becoming an indie author, this is for you.
- My rating: 5/5
- Genre/vibe: Non-Fiction/Self-Help/Humor — Funny • Irreverent • Informative • Introspective
- Best for: Aspiring authors and industry skeptics
- Content notes: Excessive cursing.
Quick, Spoiler-Free Premise
Confessions of an Indie Author tells David’s personal story of becoming an independently published author and all of the maddening stuff that goes along with it. There is a non-insignificant amount of cursing involved, though the author is kind enough to keep an actual count for the reader.
What Worked for Me
- WORKED: Stream of consciousness style — The dated sections feel raw and unfiltered, creating a direct connection between the author and the reader.
- WORKED: Relatability — Having gone on my own indie author journey, I could directly relate to many of the specific publishing struggles David relayed.
What Didn’t Work for Me
I didn’t have any notable complaints.
The Moment That Stayed With Me (Still No Spoilers)
Right from the beginning, the humor shines through in the section titles. It’s a comedic tone that establishes itself on page one and simply doesn’t stop throughout the entire book.
Who I’d Recommend This For
- Readers who enjoy unfiltered, raw non-fiction.
- Anyone interested in becoming or learning more about being an indie author.
- Readers who aren’t turned off by gratuitous swear words and adult humor.
- People who want to see someone finally call out the frustration and anger caused by the “unsolicited service providers” targeting new authors.
Who Might Want to Skip It
Not sure.
Final Thoughts + Rating
5/5. This is a raw, funny, and deeply relatable look at the independent publishing world. The stream-of-consciousness delivery makes the advice and experiences feel immediate, and it hits home for anyone who has navigated these waters themselves.
Reminder: This review is fully spoiler-free. All opinions are my own.
Buy the Book
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A Question for Fellow Readers
If you were writing your own publishing “confessional,” what would be the first thing you’d warn aspiring authors about?
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