I said this on Threads recently, but it needs to be said again, in way more detail.

Here’s the thing. Fear is a common denominator of the human experience. That’s just the way it works. It cannot be escaped, only overcome.

Within the indie author business, things are just overall a bit more complex. Unlike the trad publishing model where authors are guided through every step, indie authors are a one man company.

Every decision is up to us. Book tropes, content, plots, editing decisions and hiring process, beta readers, alpha readers, ARC readers, whether to even bother with ARCs, and the all important: marketing. For me, that’s where most of the pain and fear comes in.

It might be the result of my fear of being seen. Or it might be my view of all my decisions and plans as trivial, but I find myself acting from a place of uncertainty and insecurity more often than I would like to admit. And yet, I have just admitted it.

It’s scary! Putting yourself out there and hoping that people see you, like you, connect with your work, and buy your books. Or even just follow you and engage with you. It’s discouraging to put in a ton of effort and not see results. It makes you look at all your decisions with disdain.

Because if you made the right move and did the right thing, then it would have worked out, right? That’s exactly how it feels. And yet, there are simply too many unknown elements and moving variables to confidently make that claim.

It’s strange, but yeah. It requires a consistent effort of blind confidence with every step and decision, and a deep knowing that things could go either way, regardless of the Herculean effort you make. I’m still learning these two things. I know the journey won’t get easier. I know I need to get stronger. And I am. One decision at a time.

Until next time bestie!