So what's the difference, from a readers point of view not a great deal.
So you have picked up a book, in your local bookshop, on the blurb, the author states they are "Self-Published" many top books are written by authors who choose to go down the Self-Published route, they have spent as much time, if not more editing, proofreading, re-editing, re-proofreading. Talking to artists, editors, beta readers, many fitting all of this around working full time, even once published the work doesn't stop there, they need to advertise, speak to shop owners, produce social media posts, all while they work on their next story.
The path of Self-Published is hard, and often lonely (hence why the Pop-Up Bookshop was created) but if you get it right, the returns can be bigger, no agent fees, no publisher fees, any profit is there for the author.
Indie, authors are the same, just with a different name. They are independent, they have done all the hard work, but for some reason, there are readers who see Indie, as a step up from Self-Published 🤔
Small press, often give some form of support to the author, they may have a small advertising team, editorial team etc, and take on projects that they care passionately about.
Traditional publishing, has a strong hold in the world of books, they only accept works via agents, and will want a cut of the profits for doing the work of advertising, selling and pushing through book. As mentioned the author would also need an agent (there goes another cut of the profits) the agent would approach the publisher, singing the praise of the book, and should deal with the paper work etc... but at a cost.
Why I chose self publishing.
It gave me complete control, I chose what speed to publish at, if deadlines slipped it didn't matter as I set them for myself, and I wanted my books to be the best possible, I didn't want to rush a story just to please someone else.
I wasn't paying for someone else to do a little bit of social work, I created the posts and I pushed the books. I also went around the bookshops, dropping off stock and speaking to the owners.
Yes a publisher would have the money for a full campaign but I had/have the passion to see it through (6 books later in the Word Spider series and I still feel passionate about it.)
I recently joing ASPA the Association of Self Published Authors. On there, they have e a full range of information and guidance for Self Published authors and is free to join.
If you are Self-Published or are looking at self publishing then check ASPA out.
*These are my views from what I have read and what I have looked at in my publishing journey, I may have some bits wrong and if you believe so use the contact us box and send me a message.