Happy Birthday, America: On the Importance of Free Speech in Literature

Every Fourth of July, we’re reminded of America’s founding values—freedom, independence, the right to challenge authority. But amid the fireworks and flag-waving, there’s one freedom I find myself returning to again and again as both a writer and a reader: the freedom of speech. More specifically, the freedom to write. To tell the stories that matter, even when they make people uncomfortable.

In a country that’s constantly evolving, arguing, protesting, and questioning its identity, the role of literature has never been more vital. Fiction isn’t just entertainment. It’s dialogue. It’s resistance. It’s a mirror—and sometimes, a warning.

The Writer's Responsibility

We write to imagine better futures. We write to examine ugly truths. We write to complicate simple narratives. And we do it with the knowledge that in many parts of the world, this freedom—to speak, to dissent, to question—is a luxury.

But freedom of speech isn’t just a constitutional bullet point. It’s the beating heart of art. It’s what allows authors to create characters who defy convention, challenge oppressive systems, and speak truths that some would rather silence.

When we protect freedom of speech, we protect the right to publish banned books. To write from marginalized perspectives. To tell stories that question power.

Literature as Resistance

Think of the novels that changed you. The ones that opened your eyes or made you angry in all the right ways. Chances are, those books weren’t afraid to say something bold.

Books like The Handmaid’s Tale, Beloved, 1984, Giovanni’s Room, Their Eyes Were Watching God—these are stories born out of resistance. And resistance is only possible when free speech is protected.

As book bans resurface and certain voices are targeted, it’s more important than ever to remember that censorship isn’t just a political issue—it’s a personal one. Every time a book is pulled from a shelf, a reader loses access to a worldview they may never have encountered otherwise. A truth is buried. A voice is silenced.

My Commitment as a Writer

As an author, I don’t take this freedom lightly. I write to reflect the complexity of the world I live in. I write characters who challenge norms—women who fight for power, lovers who cross boundaries, families who fracture under pressure. I write the things I was once afraid to say out loud.

Because I can. And because I must.

A Toast to the Brave

This Independence Day, I’m celebrating the writers who speak when it would be safer to stay quiet. The books that say the unsayable. The readers who seek out uncomfortable truths. And the idea that the most patriotic act an artist can commit is to tell the truth—even when it's hard, even when it’s banned, even when it makes people squirm.

Happy birthday, America. Here's to the freedom to write.

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No One Told Me Writing Was the Easy Part : The Truth About Self-Publishing

When I first decided to write a book, I thought the hard part would be finishing it.

And make no mistake—writing is hard. It demands focus, discipline, emotional excavation, and a willingness to stare down the blank page day after day. You wrestle with structure, subtext, dialogue, and doubt. You edit scenes you love. You cut characters who no longer serve the story. You revise until you can’t see the words anymore. So when I typed “The End,” I thought I’d climbed the mountain.

I hadn’t. I’d only reached base camp.

Because no one told me: writing is the easy part.

The Myth of Completion

I thought finishing the manuscript was the victory lap. In reality, it was the starter pistol. Self-publishing means stepping into a new role—several, actually: marketer, editor, project manager, social media strategist, cover designer, metadata wizard, and publicist. Overnight, your passion project becomes a product—and you become the team in charge of launching it.

From Creative to CEO

The mental shift from "writer" to "publisher" is jarring. Writing is deeply internal. Publishing is external, performative, strategic. Suddenly you’re not just telling the story—you’re convincing the world it’s worth reading.

• You’re learning ISBNs and Amazon categories.

• You’re writing press releases and ARC pitch emails.

• You’re tweaking cover fonts and wondering if your color palette screams "romance" or "remainder bin."

• You’re analyzing preorder numbers while trying not to cry over an Instagram caption.

It’s exciting. It’s terrifying. It’s relentless.

The Emotional Whiplash

No one prepares you for the vulnerability of publishing. There’s a reason so many authors say they feel more nervous hitting "publish" than writing the most gut-wrenching scenes in their books. Because now your work isn’t just yours—it’s out there, subject to praise, criticism, or worse: indifference.

You’ll second-guess your blurb. Obsess over reviews. Wonder if anyone outside your friend group will care. You’ll launch your book and refresh your sales dashboard like it owes you an apology.

Why I’m Still Doing It

I’m self-publishing because I believe in the story I wrote. Not just in its plot or prose, but in what it means. I believe someone, somewhere, needs it. I’m willing to learn the business side—not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it.

Writing is the easy part because it's where I feel safest. Publishing is where I feel exposed—but it’s also where the magic happens. It's where connection becomes possible.

So to the writers out there about to hit "publish": I see you. I know how hard you’ve worked. And I know this next step feels like a free fall.

You're not alone.

The Takeaway

If you're dreaming of writing a book, know this: The real work begins after "The End."

But so does the real joy.

Self-publishing is hard. But so are all the best things.

And no matter what happens next, you did something extraordinary: you turned an idea into a finished book. You gave it life. Now give it wings.

You’ve got this.

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.

When the Revolution Gets Personal: The Irresistible Pull of Enemies to Lovers in Political Romance

There's nothing quite like two characters who can't stand each other—until they can't stand to be apart. Welcome to the delicious tension, fiery chemistry, and emotionally charged stakes of the enemies-to-lovers trope.

In my upcoming novel, The Governor’s Daughter, I dive headfirst into this beloved trope, but with a twist: this isn't just any enemies-to-lovers romance. It's a high-stakes political romance, where passion collides with power, secrets, betrayal, and forbidden desire.

Why We Love the Enemies to Lovers Trope

Enemies-to-lovers romances thrive on conflict. They're fueled by the intoxicating journey from bitter rivalry to undeniable attraction. The transition isn't smooth—it's explosive, addictive, and emotionally raw. It keeps readers breathless, flipping pages to see if characters will kiss or clash next.

But what happens when the stakes are even higher? When every kiss has the potential to ignite political scandal, alter the fate of nations, and change history itself?

Enter Camilla Reyes and Julian Oz.

Politics and Passion: A Dangerous Mix

Camilla Reyes was raised to be obedient, elegant, and politically valuable—exactly the kind of daughter a governor needs. When she shocks everyone by publicly advocating for her homeland’s independence, she becomes an overnight pariah. Who leads the charge against her? Senator Julian Oz, a man who’s as ruthless as he is captivating.

But fate—and political convenience—force these fierce adversaries into a fake engagement. Their heated arguments quickly become dangerously seductive, their political debates tinged with intense, hidden longing.

Soon, the lines blur between performance and passion, ally and enemy, love and leverage.

More Than Just a Trope

In The Governor’s Daughter, the enemies-to-lovers trope is intensified by:

• Fake Engagements: Publicly allied, privately conflicted, Camilla and Julian’s arrangement promises scandal at every turn.

• Forbidden Romance: Their love isn't just unexpected—it's politically catastrophic.

• Sapphic Subtext: The romantic tension doesn't stop there. Camilla’s best friend Mari introduces an emotionally charged queer love triangle that deepens the stakes.

• Betrayal and Redemption: Every romantic step forward carries the risk of betrayal—personal and political.

• Moral Ambiguity: Readers will wonder who to trust, who to root for, and whether victory in love is ever truly clean.

ARC Readers are Already Swooning (and Stressing!)

Early readers describe the ending as:

"Emotionally devastating—in the best possible way."

"I'm still conflicted... and I loved every minute."

“I will never trust Julian, and yet he also made me fall in love with him. And I hate that. I didn’t want to love him. I still don’t. But he’s such a charming and gorgeous character I can’t help it.”

This isn't a straightforward happily-ever-after. It's messy, intense, and beautifully complicated—the kind of story that romance readers live for.

Are You Ready for Your Next Book Obsession?

If you're craving:

• Slow-burn seduction

• Complex, morally gray characters

• Steamy scenes charged with tension and tenderness

• High-stakes political intrigue

• Heart-pounding romance that keeps you guessing

Then The Governor’s Daughter is your next must-read.

The revolution is coming August 30.

Want early access? Join my ARC list and fall in love with Camilla and Julian’s addictive, dangerous romance before anyone else.

Prepare to be conflicted. Prepare to swoon.

If interested in being an ARC leave a message in CONTACTS!

About the author

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.

Tropes of the Trade: Enemies to Lovers

The origins of the trope

Why We Crave the Heat of Hatred Turning into Love (and the Best Books That Nail It)

If you’ve ever shouted “just kiss already!” while two fictional characters argued like their sexual tension could burn down the room, then congratulations—you’re one of us.

Welcome to the Enemies to Lovers trope: the literary pressure cooker where mutual disdain is just foreplay, and nothing makes you swoon harder than two people who would rather die than admit they’re into each other… until they do.

This trope thrives on tension, transformation, and emotional payoff. Two enemies—rivals, ideological opposites, cursed lovers—must confront the thing they loathe most about each other: their own vulnerability. They’re forced into proximity, alliance, or crisis, and slowly, their hate starts to unravel. What’s underneath? Lust, respect, intimacy, or all three.

And when that first kiss comes? It wrecks you.

So if you love your romance with a side of verbal sparring, reluctant teamwork, and unresolved sexual tension thick enough to cut with a dagger, here are eight books that do Enemies to Lovers brilliantly—including a new standout: The Governor’s Daughter.

1. The Governor’s Daughter by Parker Williamson

Genre: Political Romance / Queer Love Triangle
Setup: When Camilla Reyes, daughter of a powerful U.S.-backed governor, declares her homeland’s independence live on air, she upends a carefully orchestrated marriage alliance. The first to publicly humiliate her? Senator Julian Oz—a dangerous, disciplined tactician. So of course, she ends up fake-engaged to him.
Why It Works: Julian and Camilla clash in public and combust in private. Their alliance begins as a maneuver, but turns magnetic. Passion, betrayal, and legacy pulse through every scene.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Queer love triangle. Political warfare. Balcony scenes you’ll not forget.

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: High Fantasy / Romance
Setup: Feyre is a mortal girl dragged into the Fae realm and bound to a cursed High Lord. Her only goal is survival—until she discovers that her enemies may not be the monsters she imagined.
Why It Works: The real enemies-to-lovers arc starts with Rhysand, the brooding antihero who pushes, provokes, and protects Feyre until trust becomes something deeper. Their emotional unraveling across the series is legendary.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Wingspan. Night Court. Trauma healing through mutual respect and intimacy.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Genre: Contemporary Rom-Com
Setup: Lucy and Joshua are executive assistants locked in a zero-sum rivalry at a publishing house. When a promotion puts them head-to-head, their banter turns blisteringly hot.
Why It Works: Snarky dialogue, intense chemistry, and one elevator ride that changes everything.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Office slow burn with steamy satisfaction.

4. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Genre: Historical Fantasy / YA
Setup: Juliette and Roma are the heirs to rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai. They were once lovers. Now? They’re blood-bound enemies who must work together to stop a citywide threat.
Why It Works: Equal parts epic and tragic. They fight, bleed, and yearn with a fierceness that feels operatic.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Shakespearean vibes. Political violence. Knife-edge tension.

5. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Genre: LGBTQ+ Political Romance
Setup: When the First Son of the U.S. and the Prince of England cause an international incident, they’re forced into a PR friendship that turns into secret romance.
Why It Works: Alex and Henry’s emotional arc—from disdain to desire to devotion—is beautifully messy, heartfelt, and sexy.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Royal scandals, political stakes, love letters, and cake.

6. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Genre: Dark Fantasy / YA
Setup: Jude, a mortal raised in the treacherous world of Faerie, clashes with Cardan, the wicked prince who torments her. But politics has strange rules, and enemies become something else entirely.
Why It Works: Power struggles, mutual manipulation, and forbidden longing. This is enemies-to-lovers with knives.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Morally gray everything. Enemies who crave each other but won’t say it until it’s too late.

7. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

Genre: YA Historical Fantasy / Retelling
Setup: Shahrzad volunteers to marry a caliph who kills his brides by dawn. Her goal? Vengeance. But her enemy may be more cursed than cruel.
Why It Works: Slow-burn intimacy, moral ambiguity, and storytelling-as-seduction.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Arabian Nights reimagined with lush prose and deadly secrets.

8. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Setup: Olive and Ethan can’t stand each other. But when a wedding disaster leaves them as the only unpoisoned guests, they go on the honeymoon instead—and have to pretend to be a happy couple.
Why It Works: Witty, awkward, full of romantic tension and unexpected warmth.
Enemies-to-Lovers Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Bonus: Fake dating meets vacation shenanigans in paradise.

Why We Love It:

Enemies to Lovers is never just about love—it’s about change. The best versions show characters breaking down their own walls and learning to see someone completely. These books remind us that love can come from anywhere, even the battlefield.

Enemies may start with bitterness, but when the lines blur? That’s where the magic happens.

About the author

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.

The Spark Behind The Governor's Daughter: How a Twilight Binge Inspired My Dark Romance Hero

I was home sick, the kind of sick where your brain is too foggy to write, but just lucid enough to consume something shameless and soothing. And for whatever reason, Twilight was there. All of it. Streaming in HD.

Now, I wasn't a die-hard Twilight fan. I'd seen the movies—of course I had. My sister was a full-blown superfan back when the franchise was inescapable, so I got swept along during peak vampire hysteria. I was firmly Team Jacob (I stand by it), but I enjoyed the ride. The romance. The melodrama. The overcast gloom and breathy declarations. There's something hypnotic about it all when you're under a blanket and hopped up on cold meds.

But then I fell down a rabbit hole.

The Problem with Modern Romance Tropes

After rewatching Twilight, I started browsing the "what to watch/read next" lists and inevitably stumbled into the Twilight fanfiction aftermath—most notably, the empire of Fifty Shades of Grey and 365 Days. And honestly? That's where I started to get annoyed.

Because I had one persistent question:

Why are we supposed to love these men?

Yes, they're rich. Yes, they're attractive. But beyond wealth and cheekbones, these brooding male love interests didn't give me much else to chew on. They weren't emotionally intelligent. They weren't particularly kind. And they didn't seem to value their partners so much as possess them. It wasn't darkness that bothered me—it was shallowness disguised as depth.

That's when the spark hit.

Rewriting the Dark Romance Hero: Meet Julian Oz

What if I wrote my own "dark, brooding hero"—but gave him layers?

What if I kept the mystery, the intensity, the danger… but gave it context? Gave him a past that shaped his present. A worldview forged in fire. A voice that could cut glass, but a heart that hesitated.

And what if that man fell in love not with a passive ingenue, but a brilliant, politically entangled woman fighting for her freedom?

Enter: Julian Oz, the controversial love interest in my debut novel, The Governor's Daughter.

What Makes Julian Different from Other Romance Heroes

The senator that humiliated Camilla is ten years older, savvy and intelligent. A disciplined strategist she doesn’t quite trust, but may be her only hope. Camilla must become the perfect partner to a man who’s either using her or falling for her.

He's dangerous. But not because he's cruel. He's dangerous because he makes her question everything.

Why This Matters for Romance Readers

I wrote The Governor's Daughter for readers like me—and maybe you—who grew up on high-stakes drama but craved something more layered as we got older. If you love the emotional chaos of a Shonda Rhimes series but want a political romance book that wrestles with politics, identity, legacy, and rebellion, this one's for you.

Julian isn't a sanitized hero. But he is a challenge. And Celina is more than up for it.

From Twilight Inspiration to Political Romance

So yes—my romance novel was born out of Twilight. But it also came from a desire to take the brooding love interest trope and flip it on its head. I wanted the chemistry, the yearning, the political stakes—but I also wanted it to mean something.

What Readers Can Expect from The Governor's Daughter

• Age gap romance with emotional depth

• Political intrigue that actually matters to the plot

• A strong female protagonist who's not just a vessel for male fantasy

• Forbidden romance with real consequences

• Complex family dynamics that drive the story forward

• The kind of emotional slow burn that could rival any Grey's Anatomy finale

The Fire Behind the Story

The spark for this story came from a fever binge and a bit of frustration. But the fire? That came from asking a single question:

What if the brooding man wasn't just a fantasy—but flesh and blood?

Get Your Copy of The Governor's Daughter

The Governor's Daughter is available now for preorder. If you love forbidden romance, complicated family legacies, and political romance novels that challenge traditional tropes, you might want to check it out.

Perfect for readers who love:

• Books like Twilight but with more substance

• Political romance with real stakes

• Age gap romance done thoughtfully

• Dark romance with emotional intelligence

• Strong heroines who don't need saving

• Enemies to lovers that feels earned

• Lovers to enemies that hurt.

• Arranged marriage with real stakes

• Fake engagements that feel too real

• Sapphic love that isn’t for cheap thrills

• Love triangles where anyone could be endgame.

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If you're looking for more romance book recommendations that challenge traditional tropes, subscribe to my newsletter and I’ll share my thoughts on the tropes of the romance genre.

Tags: #PoliticalRomance #TwilightInspired #RomanceBooks #DarkRomance #AgeGapRomance #BookBlogger #RomanceAuthor #TheGovernorsDaughter

About the author

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker’s passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.

Who I'm Writing For: The Shonda Rhimes Superfan in Search of a Book

Every time I sit down to write, I think of one reader. She's sharp, a little dramatic, deeply loyal to her favorite characters, and completely unapologetic about her obsession with messy, complicated women. She's a Shonda Rhimes fan—not casually, but viscerally. She lives for the plot twists, the betrayals, the long, emotionally loaded monologues that cut like a scalpel. Her media diet includes Scandal, Bridgerton, Grey's Anatomy, and the "How to Get Away with Murder" pilot on annual rewatch. She doesn't just crave drama—she craves intentional drama: the kind laced with social critique, juicy moral ambiguity, and complicated love.

But here's the thing—Shonda works in a visual medium. That's her stage. Television gives us close-ups, string quartets playing Taylor Swift, and a thousand-yard stare to say what a character can't. So what happens when that same audience craves the richness of a novel? What fills that space between episodes or after the series finale?

The answer isn't what you might expect.

What Shonda Rhimes Fans Really Want in Books

Shonda Rhimes fans—real ones—don't want just fluff in print. They want impact. They want stories that feel as lived-in and lush as the worlds they've binged on-screen. That's why I think the novels for Shonda Rhimes fans are more emotionally layered and stylistically bold than the so-called "beach reads" often aimed at them. They want the political and the romantic. The wounded heroine and the grand declaration. Think modern storytelling with old soul resonance. Think Jane Austen, if she had a writers' room and a costume budget.

Yes, Jane Austen. For all her restraint and bonnets, Austen was writing about many of the same themes Rhimes plays with: class, power, reputation, ambition, and women trying to survive structures that were not built for them. Elizabeth Bennet is Olivia Pope with better land management. Anne Elliot is the original queen of longing glances and second chances.

7 Elements That Define Books for Shonda Rhimes Fans

So what are the hallmarks that define this target reader's taste?

• High emotional stakes. No one's crying over spilled milk. They're crying because the man they love might betray their revolution.

• Complicated women. Messy, brilliant, flawed, and magnetic.

• Chosen families. People who stick together through blood, betrayal, and bourbon.

• Forbidden love. Age gaps, rival factions, tragic timing—anything but easy.

• Secrets with consequences. Every lie must eventually detonate.

• Political backdrops. Whether it's the White House or a Regency ball, the personal is always political.

• Wit and glamour. Because suffering is fine, but let it sparkle.

6 Best Books for Shonda Rhimes Fans

If you're in that fanbase—if you love being wrecked and reborn by a story—here are six books for Shonda Rhimes fans that belong on your shelf:

1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A glamorous, emotionally charged ride through fame, power, and secrets. This book like Scandal delivers the same mix of Hollywood glamour and devastating personal revelations that made Olivia Pope iconic.

2. Longbourn by Jo Baker

A subversive look at Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of the servants—where love and class collide in the margins. Perfect for Bridgerton fans who want their period drama with extra social commentary.

3. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

A Cold War spy novel that doubles as a family reckoning and political treatise—with a Black woman at the center. This political thriller romance captures the same tension as the best Scandal episodes.

4. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Forbidden romance, fame, age gap—aka Shonda catnip. If you loved the steamier moments in Bridgerton season 1, this book delivers that same forbidden attraction energy.

5. An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

A spy romance set during the Civil War with real stakes and irresistible chemistry. This historical romance combines the period setting Bridgerton fans love with the high-stakes espionage of Scandal.

6. The Governor's Daughter by Parker Williamson

(Yes, I'm biased—but if you want complicated love, high-stakes politics, and a woman caught between legacy and rebellion, this one's for you.) This political romance novel was written specifically for readers who want their love stories wrapped in power plays.

Why These Books Work for Shonda Rhimes Fans

Each of these books similar to Shonda Rhimes shows delivers what fans really crave: complex female characters navigating impossible situations, relationships that matter beyond the romance, and stakes that feel genuinely high. They're not just entertainment—they're emotional experiences.

Whether you're mourning the end of How to Get Away with Murder, waiting for the next Bridgerton season, or rewatching Scandal for the dozenth time, these books will give you that same feeling of being completely absorbed in a world where every choice has consequences and every character has secrets worth keeping.

Finding Your Next Great Read

If you see yourself in this—if you've ever whispered your pain to your reflection or longed for a second chance with the one who almost ruined you—then you're the reader I'm writing for.

Looking for more book recommendations like these? Subscribe to my newsletter for quarterly picks and other bonus content that capture the same energy as your favorite Shonda Rhimes shows.

Welcome.

About the author

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.

On the Edge of Publishing: A Writer's Truth

Fears of a budding author

I'm on the edge of publishing my first book.

I should be elated, right? After all, this is the dream. Late nights and self-doubt, character arcs that refused to bend, deleted scenes that still haunt my documents folder, gut-punch edits that left me questioning everything I thought I knew about storytelling. All of it leading to this moment: a final manuscript, a cover that captures something I couldn't say in words, a title that finally feels true. Soon, it will be real. Tangible. Public.

And yet, what I feel isn't elation. It's fear.

Not the dramatic, movie-trailer kind—no swelling orchestral music or slow-motion moments of triumph, but a whispering uncertainty that follows me through ordinary moments: What if no one reads it? What if no one cares? What if I throw my whole self onto the page and the world shrugs and keeps scrolling?

This is the part no one tells you about when you're chasing the dream. The part where you realize that finishing a book is only the first cliff—and the publishing part, the sharing part, the part where your work exits the safety of your own heart and walks naked into the world, is a whole different kind of free fall.

I've spent months preparing for this moment, but nothing really prepares you for the vulnerability of it. Writing in private is one thing; you can revise forever, delete the embarrassing parts, pretend the worst scenes never happened. But publishing? Publishing is showing your diary to strangers and asking them to care about the people who live only in your head.

Here's the truth I've had to make peace with: I might fail.

I might not sell copies. I might not get reviews, or worse, I might get the kind that make me question whether I should have kept my day job. I might not be discovered by the right reader at the right moment. My book might gather digital dust on a virtual shelf no one ever scrolls to, lost in an ocean of stories all competing for the same precious resource: attention.

The statistics are humbling. Most books sell fewer than 300 copies. Most authors never make a living from their writing. Most stories disappear without fanfare, without recognition, without the validation we secretly hope will make all those solitary hours feel worthwhile.

And yet—I'm doing it anyway.

Because somewhere along the way, between the third draft and the thirtieth, I realized why I was writing—to be honest. To say the things I couldn't say out loud. To build people out of pain and hope and contradiction, and let them survive things I thought I couldn't. To create a place where the messy, uncomfortable truths could exist without judgment.

I wrote because I needed to. I'm publishing because I believe someone else might need it, too.

Maybe it will be five people. Maybe one. Maybe that one person will find my book at exactly the moment they need to know they're not alone in whatever they're carrying. Maybe they'll read a scene that makes them feel seen, or a line that gives them permission to feel what they've been afraid to feel.

Maybe that one person is me—the version of myself who started this book believing they had nothing important to say, who needed proof that finishing something difficult was possible.

But I think there's a quiet dignity in making something no one asked you to make. In believing it's worth finishing even if the world never claps, even if the algorithm never finds you, even if your book never trends or gets featured or changes anyone's life in dramatic, measurable ways. Not everything needs to go viral. Some things just need to be real.

And this book is real. It exists because I willed it into existence, word by stubborn word. It carries pieces of me I didn't know I was ready to share, characters who feel more alive to me than some actual people I know, scenes that still make me cry even though I wrote them.

It's imperfect—of course it is. There are probably typos I missed, plot threads I could have woven tighter, dialogue that could be sharper. But it's also complete. It's mine. It's ready to find its people, however many or few they might be.

So here I am, on the verge—afraid, uncertain, but also full of something more lasting than hype or hope: peace.

Because I did the thing. I told the story I came here to tell. I didn't stop when it got hard, or when the doubt crept in, or when the world offered me a thousand easier paths.

And whether or not the world shows up—whether it's five readers or five thousand—I did.

The book exists. The story is told. The dream, in its truest form, is already real.

About the author

Parker Williamson writes about freedom, beauty, truth and love. A traveler of the world, he has been called a friend to paupers and princes alike. Parker passions include theatre, athletics, film, video games and of course writing.