Why Indie?

I see the question from time to time. It's a great question because the reasons vary. It's not just because the author couldn't get a traditional contract. Some of us, myself included, have never tried. The publishing landscape is changing. Trad-published authors are doing most of the work unless they can afford an assistant.

Why do I publish Indie? I don't want to write the book someone else is telling me to write. There. I said it. I'm not talking about constructive criticism, but writing inside the box the publisher wants you to write in. I also refuse to change my story to fit what someone else thinks it should be. Plot holes? Yep, let's fix those. But don't tell me to rewrite the chapters and change the story. Am I controlling? You bet. It's my book. My thoughts. My feelings.

The argument is, are your books written to market? Maybe, maybe not. Readers, you tell me. But I believe that if I love my book and believe in it, others will too. It reminds me of something Mel Brooks said (seriously, Google him if you don't know who he is). He said if he thinks something is funny, someone else will too. He was saying to believe in yourself. He keeps moving forward, doing what he loves. And because he loves what he does and puts his passion into his work, others love it too.