Supporting Indie Authors: A Refreshing Escape from Preachy Mainstream Entertainment

Watching Mainstream entertainment often feels like you’re being preached to than being entertained…

After initially raising my hopes that the new "Doctor Who" would recapture the fun and quality of its sci-fi roots, I was quickly disillusioned. Within the first few minutes, a 'diverse character' was delivering a patronising lecture at a white man, simply because he was, well, a white man. Needless to say this prompted me to switch off the show and get on with my day. This experience however, sparked a realisation: mainstream entertainment has lost its way, prioritising ‘messaging’ over enjoyment.

Then it got me thinking about the imaginative worlds created by indie authors that stand as a testament to pure storytelling. In this blog I delve into why indie books are not only a refreshing change for readers but also why they merit adaptation to the big and small screens, offering an antidote to the didactic tendencies of much mainstream media and why indie is the future if you actually want to be entertained.

Mainstream Entertainment: Losing the Art of Storytelling

Mainstream media has increasingly been criticised for prioritising preachy narratives over engaging storytelling. This shift has led to a growing discontent among audiences who crave immersive narratives that entertain first and foremost, without feeling like a lecture. Just look at how the recent Marvel movies haved bombed at the box office, how people are turning away from once beloved franchises in their droves.

Indie Authors: Reviving the Essence of Storytelling

This where Indie authors come into their own. We operate outside the constraints of traditional media conglomerates, which often allows us to focus purely on the art of storytelling. Our works often embody a passion and creativity that prioritise engaging the reader with compelling narratives and characters. Of course there are those that do what the MSM does and try and push some message onto their readers, but often they do it in far more subtle and imaginative ways that don’t feel like some patronising lecture.

Why Indie Books Deserve Screen Adaptations

Fresh and Engaging Narratives

Indie books often showcase innovative and captivating plots that can be a breath of fresh air in the world of TV and film. These original stories and characters provide an antidote to the formulaic and unoriginal content that dominates much of mainstream media.

Escaping the Preachiness

One of the strengths of indie literature is its ability to tell a story without overtly pushing a message. This doesn't mean these books lack depth or meaning, but rather that their primary focus is on engaging the reader through the story itself. (What Hollywood studios used to do) Adapting these narratives to screen can offer audiences the entertainment-first experience they are increasingly seeking.

Connecting with Audiences on Entertainment Value

The digital age has seen a shift in audience preferences, with many viewers seeking content that primarily entertains and engages. Indie books, with their focus on storytelling, can resonate with this audience, making their adaptations potentially more appealing and relatable.

The Role of Readers and Viewers

Advocating for Pure Storytelling

Readers and viewers can play a crucial role in promoting indie book adaptations. By supporting indie authors and demanding adaptations of their works, audiences can influence the entertainment industry to focus more on storytelling and less on didactic content.

Shaping a Story-Driven Entertainment Landscape

Supporting adaptations of indie books can help foster an entertainment landscape where story-driven content is valued. This encourages the industry to invest in narratives that prioritize entertainment, offering viewers a wider range of engaging and immersive experiences. If there were any smart business people left in Hollywood and the like they’d realise that there’s a vast untapped resource in indie works.

The imaginative and engaging worlds created by indie authors offer an essential resource for original, story-driven content in film and television. By supporting indie authors and advocating for the adaptation of their works to the big and small screens, audiences can help shift the entertainment industry towards a focus on pure storytelling. This not only celebrates the creativity of indie writers but also contributes to a more entertaining and immersive media culture.