by Stefanie Chu

Though he didn’t explicitly say it, I could tell his novel ventured into the realms of epic fantasy. He was on his third draft and uncertain about where to go from there. I couldn’t help but chuckle internally; it felt like I was eavesdropping on my past self. (Seriously, what were the odds that two writers of the same sub-genre were sitting next to each other in a suburban cafe?) As I listened to him speak, he delved into the minutiae of his creative process. He spoke of the characters he’d known for over two decades, the challenge of crafting a new metric system for his world, and the pressure of people telling him to incorporate popular tropes to cater to the market. But his goal wasn’t to sell; he wanted to share his story with the world. And he wanted it to be perfect, not for others, but for himself.

And if you love your story, you shouldn’t cave into how others want to revise it.

Regret lingered for a moment as I wished I had introduced myself and shared some insights. He asked the same questions I did when I was trying to figure out self-publishing.

It was exceptionally heartbreaking to hear that he was advised to use cliché tropes and themes. They are not wrong — it will sell better — but would you change the story you’ve worked on for decades just to fit into what already exists? I, too, faced similar suggestions and declined them. I mean, just last week an author told me I can’t say that my book is a mix of Game of Thrones and Avatar: The Last Airbender because they are two completely different audiences. That’s the point! While some find it hard to imagine such a story, others are immediately drawn to this new niche. As evidenced by the multiple book awards I’ve received, critics adore my story’s originality. It’s fresh and different, something that is often craved for in indie publishing.

And if you love your story, you shouldn’t cave into how others want to revise it. That would be the same as going with a traditional publisher and giving up all rights to your work — the names of your characters, how the story ends, and having no say in the title or cover of your book.

Here’s where the magic of being an indie author comes into play — it grants you the liberty of not only crafting your stories according to your vision but also creating niche genres that defy conventional boundaries. Sarah J. Maas can’t publish as new adult because that category is not officially recognized in traditional publishing. But as an indie author, you have the privilege of serving this audience. Embracing indie authorship means creating new pathways that are abandoned and ignored by traditional publishers. It’s about pioneering and shaping a market with boundless possibilities, free from constraints.

We all know someone who wants to write a book, but few have the ambition to see it through. Though I never spoke to this aspiring author, I knew he was in a good place. He had invested countless hours researching, asking the right questions, and seeking the guidance needed to navigate the path to publication. When determination and dedication are evident, success will follow. That is all that is truly needed to become an indie author.

Stefanie is a bird-obsessed aficionado from the San Francisco Bay Area who willingly subjects herself to cinematic torment. Her globetrotting adventures during her MBA days led her from Asia to Europe, but now she’s happily grounded in Seattle, Washington. With her award-winning debut novel “Knights of the Alliance,” Stefanie proves that she’s not just an enthusiastic connoisseur of Japanese cuisine and all things lavender, but also a talented writer celebrated by the literary world.

Visit Stefanie’s website here.

If you’re an indie author and you’re interested in guest posting on this blog, email here.