What are the best self-published fantasy and science fiction novels of the last decade-plus? From The Martian and Wool to The Sword of Kaigen and Waybound, indie authors have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in traditional publishing.
In this episode, Jim walks through four standout indie releases from every year between 2011 and 2024—one of the most successful and one of the most popular in both fantasy and science fiction. You’ll hear how these books rose from self-published beginnings to fan favorites, bestsellers, and in some cases, major publishing deals.
If you’ve ever wondered which indie books deserve a spot on your TBR, this is your guide!
👉 Have you read any of these? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know your own favorite self-published gems.
👍 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Bell so you don’t miss future episodes.
💖 And a big thank you to our Patreon supporters who keep Fantasy for the Ages going strong. Join us there for exclusive perks and extra fun!: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges
#FantasyBooks #SciFiBooks #SelfPublished #IndieAuthors #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges
Want to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?
Aftermath: https://t.ly/DRVnv
Artificial Absolutes: https://t.ly/R6bXG
The Atlantis Gene: https://t.ly/4O_K5
Blood of Requiem: https://t.ly/3BsKc
Blood Song: https://t.ly/jwX46
Bloodline: https://t.ly/Fkx-B
Breakaway: https://t.ly/p03z8
Children of Time: https://t.ly/_cwiN
The Crimson Queen: https://t.ly/R3SYS
Critical Mass: https://t.ly/umdQv
Daemon Protocol: https://t.ly/ekQ4w
A Dance of Blades: https://t.ly/2nx8b
A Dance of Shadows: https://t.ly/2T7d2
Darknet: https://t.ly/G7KwK
Dreadgod: https://t.ly/EDyii
Failure Mode: https://t.ly/dbnuy
Forged in Blood I: https://t.ly/Twk4j
Ghostwater: https://t.ly/Q7fuv
The Grey Bastards: https://t.ly/_n9vW
Home Front: https://t.ly/c7IQu
House of Blades: https://t.ly/7ZG7c
Into the Serpent’s Lair: https://t.ly/MWP6g
Kings of Paradise: https://t.ly/yl4dI
The Labyrinth of Flame: https://t.ly/7EKtj
Legacy of Brightwash: https://t.ly/WIgY5
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet: https://t.ly/fwMRI
The Martian: https://t.ly/9Ty2E
Mushroom Blues: https://t.ly/pxwsZ
The Object: https://t.ly/lJA5v
Of Sea and Shadow: https://t.ly/rCmjS
Of War and Ruin: https://t.ly/usT8B
Outsystem: https://t.ly/XgtW7
Paternus: https://t.ly/6Vw44
Paternus: War of Gods: https://t.ly/wIus9
The Punch Escrow: https://t.ly/UHL7V
Reaper: https://t.ly/S-RIF
The Remaining: https://t.ly/aB5cn
The Return of the Knights: https://t.ly/qwLZl
Ruins of the Galaxy: https://t.ly/FYkjq
The Salvage Crew: https://t.ly/Td4h5
Sentenced to War: https://t.ly/cB9-p
The Shadow of What Was Lost: https://t.ly/tdu7f
Singularity Trap: https://t.ly/D_taX
Starship’s Mage: https://t.ly/776k9
Sufficiently Advanced Magic: https://t.ly/Fc9O-
The Sword of Kaigen: https://t.ly/xn5mg
Task Force Hammer: https://t.ly/jJRvJ
Terms of Enlistment: https://t.ly/_D5sV
Titanborn: https://t.ly/X7hf-
Undead Samurai: https://t.ly/SHYC4
Underlord: https://t.ly/ncCFe
Waybound: https://t.ly/N6oi_
Wayward Galaxy: https://t.ly/BZQr0
We Are Legion (We Are Bob): https://t.ly/Ie_uO
Wool: https://t.ly/-qJ9k
Ways to connect with us:
Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven
Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk
Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges
Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.social
Follow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages
Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de
Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com
Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheages
Jim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4
————————————————————————————
Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:
https://elements.envato.com/
