indie author mindset – Stories Rule Press

Trad vs Indie in 2026

13 December 2025 / Tracy Cooper-Posey

Traditional publishing and indie publishing aren’t just two different business models — they’re two different belief systems. Trad authors think they’re building a career as an artist. Indie authors know they’re running a business. In 2026, that mindset divide matters more than ever. With AI flooding the marketplace, platforms deep in enshittification, bookstores shrinking, and rights tied up tighter than a banker’s fist, the only way to make good choices is to understand exactly how each system really works — not how you wish it worked. This is the brutal, unsentimental guide to both paths.

The Box Is the Point

8 November 2025 / Tracy Cooper-Posey

We think hitting our goals will make us happy—but for creative work, the real joy is in the struggle. Pressure and constraints aren’t obstacles; they’re the fuel. This post explores why the box is the point, and what to do when it starts to feel too tight.

What Happens When You Stop Telling Yourself You’re a Slow Writer

23 August 2025 / Tracy Cooper-Posey

I thought I was stuck at 1,200 to 1,300 words per hour because I had been for years. But I wasn’t. I was just telling myself I was. This month, I’ve finished one book, written another in nine days, and started plotting a third—all while juggling a demanding side gig. If you think you can’t write faster, maybe it’s time to stop believing that.