If you decide to go down the route of independent publishing, the chances are that you want people to read your book. You wouldn’t put it out there if you didn’t. Plus, I think there is something in the vast majority of authors – even though some may deny it – that makes us hope what we write will be popular.

This can lead to us spending ages wondering whether what we’re writing will tick all the boxes. Will it be good? Will it sell? Will people like it?  It can also lead to us studying those books that are currently popular to work out what we should be doing to achieve our own success.

There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. But one of the great things about independent publishing is that it provides authors with a chance to be different. You don’t have to fit into any moulds. You can write what you want, even if you think it won’t be popular. You never know. It might be. Different can be a very good thing indeed.

Plus, think about it this way: the things that are currently popular have been done already. The next popular book is usually something unexpected or at least different to what’s come before. Embracing your urge to do things your own way and using independent publishing to help you do just that could be the best decision you ever make.