As an indie author, I’ve chosen a path of freedom—freedom to write the stories I want to tell, without being confined to the constraints of trends, formulas, or narratives dictated by others. It’s a path that comes with challenges but also one that allows me to stay true to my vision, and for me, that’s worth more than anything a traditional publisher could offer.

When I first decided to pursue writing seriously, I wasn’t thinking about what’s popular or what would sell the most books. I wasn’t trying to follow a trend or jump on a bandwagon. I wanted to write from the heart—stories that resonated with me, stories that were raw and real, stories that had meaning.

The traditional publishing world, with its gatekeepers and gatecrashers, is a different story. The Big Five publishers (and many others) control so much of what gets into the hands of readers. They decide what’s worthy of the spotlight and what remains in the shadows. For authors who want to break in, it can feel like they need to fit into a box—one that conforms to market demands, demographic expectations, and cultural trends. And sure, that’s what works for some people. But for me, that never felt right.

I remember wondering, “Why is it that only a select few stories are deemed valuable?” Why are certain voices drowned out, while others get all the attention? Why must an author jump through hoops just to make their mark?

That’s where self-publishing came in. I discovered the power to publish my work on my terms, without asking permission from anyone, without compromising my creativity. Being an indie author means having control over my own narrative—the narrative of my stories, my words, and my path forward.

I’m not saying traditional publishing doesn’t have its merits. There are some incredible stories and authors out there who’ve made it in the traditional world. But there’s also something deeply restricting about the system. When publishers pick and choose what’s worth publishing, they not only control what stories get told—they shape what we, as readers, are exposed to. The Big Five publishers determine what’s in the bookstores, what gets placed on bestseller lists, and, ultimately, what we believe is valuable.

In the past, we didn’t have the kind of access we have now. The walls of publishing were high, and unless you had an agent or a proven track record, your chances of getting published were slim. But with self-publishing, I’m part of a revolution—an uprising of voices that can’t be ignored. Indie authors have the freedom to tell stories without being beholden to the whims of a publisher’s bottom line. We write what we believe matters, and we connect with readers who appreciate our work, not because it fits the mold, but because it speaks to them.

Writing to trends—writing what you think people will buy—can be lucrative, but it’s a short-term solution. You’re playing someone else’s game. You’re letting someone else decide what’s valuable. The truth is, we all have our own stories to tell, and those stories matter. I write because I love writing. I write because it’s part of who I am. And while I want my books to succeed, I won’t compromise on the stories I tell.

Indie publishing isn’t just about releasing a book to the masses—it’s about maintaining creative freedom, about having the ability to tell the story I want to tell, in the way I want to tell it. I don’t have to play to the narrative that others try to force on me. I don’t have to follow a checklist of “do’s” and “don’ts.” I get to create what I feel is true to my voice.

If you’re reading this and you’re an aspiring writer, I urge you not to compromise your story. Write what matters to you. Write what speaks to your soul. Write what has never been told before. The world of self-publishing has given us the opportunity to rise up as independent voices in the world. Don’t let anyone, not a publisher, not society, and not even your doubts, tell you what you can and cannot write.

The gatekeepers may control what we see in the stores—but they don’t control what we create.

Keep writing your truth. Keep pursuing your passion. Keep believing in your stories. The world needs to hear them.

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