It’s been one week since Voluntary Pain stepped into the world, and it already feels like a small lifetime. In seven days I’ve seen a little bit of everything: the book reached #2 in Amazon’s Domestic Thrillers, then slipped, then climbed again. Turns out, Amazon sales are a moving ocean – beautiful, unpredictable, and not exactly easy to navigate.

What I learned (or, rather, confirmed): being an indie author is a brave, complicated marathon. Getting a book in front of readers without a publisher’s machinery takes time, resources, and a lot of stubborn love. You can have a product you’re truly proud of – and still, the path is long. That’s okay. Some roads are worth walking precisely because they’re not simple.

I’m grateful for every message, every share, every “I couldn’t put it down.” You made this first week unforgettable. If you’ve already read the book, a short rating or a few lines here on Goodreads means more than you know. And if you’re just discovering it now – welcome. I hope this story finds you at the right moment.

Here’s to patience, to craft, and to the readers who make it all possible. I’m staying on this road. Thank you for walking it with me. 🤎