One characteristic is their often experimental nature. Indie novels in the 1990s tended to break away from traditional narrative structures. They explored new themes like post - modern alienation and identity crises. Many indie authors were not bound by the commercial demands of mainstream publishers, so they could be more daring in their writing.
Some indie visual novels worth checking out are 'Clannad'. Although it has been made into an anime, the visual novel is really engaging. 'Muv - Luv Alternative' offers a complex and engaging story with multiple routes. 'Everlasting Summer' is an indie visual novel that takes place in a strange, dream - like summer setting and has an interesting mystery element to it.
The best indie novels often have unique voices. They're not bound by the mainstream publishing norms. For example, they might explore niche topics or have unconventional narrative styles. They can also be more experimental in terms of plot and character development. Indie novels sometimes have a more personal touch as they're often written from the heart of the author without too much corporate influence.
Indie graphic novels often have unique art styles. They are not bound by the mainstream commercial styles. For example, some might use very experimental illustration techniques. Also, their stories can be highly personal and niche, exploring themes that big publishers might avoid.
Another great one is 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson. It's a semi - autobiographical work that explores themes of love, faith, and growing up. The detailed black - and - white illustrations add to the overall mood of the story. It's a long - form graphic novel that really draws you in with its characters and their relationships.
One popular indie novel is 'The Martian' by Andy Weir. It started as an indie work and gained huge popularity. Another is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' which began as indie erotica before becoming a mainstream phenomenon. Also, 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline was an indie novel that caught on widely.
Some of the well - known top indie graphic novels include 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It tells a very personal and political story. Another is 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson, which is a beautifully illustrated coming - of - age story. 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel is also in the list. It's a memoir that deals with family, sexuality, and literature in a very engaging way.
One interesting indie game in America could be 'Stardew Valley'. It was created by a single developer and has a charming rural setting with farming, relationships, and exploration elements. It became extremely popular for its relaxing gameplay and pixel - art style.
Douglas Coupland was a notable one. His works like 'Generation X' captured the zeitgeist of the 1990s with its exploration of a new generation's disillusionment and search for meaning.
A successful indie startup is Canva. It was founded by a small team with a big idea. They created an easy - to - use graphic design platform that has become extremely popular. GitHub is also a great example. It started as an indie project to help developers manage their code and has now become a major player in the software development world. And then there's Slack, which started as an indie startup focused on improving team communication and has had a huge impact on how businesses communicate internally.