Why do we keep going?

Every indie author asks themselves this question at least once or twice (or, if you’re me, at least monthly). I think it’s totally normal to do so, too. Because, let’s face it. As indies, the odds are stacked against us.

Marketing and promotion is a beast. Markets are saturated. Printing costs keep rising. People are boycotting Amazon. The economy is tough for most people, shrinking or altogether eliminating disposable incomes.

And then there are the data…

The average indie book sells fewer than 200 copies during it’s lifetime. Of course there are people who beat the odds, but remember how averages work. Those people at the far end of the spectrum are probably dragging that average way up.

So, success is statistically unlikely. Even if you’ve written an amazing book, it may never find its audience for a variety of reasons that are completely out of your control. It’s only natural to question whether it’s worth it to keep going. Many people sink significant resources into their books (more on this is another post).

I obviously don’t speak for every author out there. But for me, I keep going because it’s fun. It’s really as simple as that. My costs are minimal and I’m not relying on self-publishing to generate an income, so the stakes are much lower for me. I simply can’t imagine a life where I don’t write.

I love storytelling. I love bringing ideas to life. I’m certainly not the best writer, but I’ll never improve if I don’t keep at it. And so I do.

I try to keep my expectations low. I try not to take anything for granted. And I’ve found a supportive online community of other indie authors.

I believe creating is essential to our humanity, and it makes me sad to image a life without some creative outlet. I have the ability to write and to share it, and even if it amounts to nothing in terms of a career, it’s still feeding my soul, which is the most important thing.

So, if you find yourself asking why you should keep going, the answer is: do it for yourself.