We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Collins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember—ever since I first learned how to hold a pen. But honestly, I never imagined that writing could become a career. As a child, I wrote story after story, pouring my thoughts onto paper. The quality has certainly evolved over time, but the urge to write, to let the words flow, has always been there. Whether the words were good, bad, or completely incoherent, writing was—and still is—a compulsion, something I feel like I was born to do. Yet, the idea of being a published author, with real people enjoying my work, seemed almost impossible.

It wasn’t until 2023 that I started to seriously consider turning writing into a career. With the unwavering support of my family and fiancé, I finally took the leap. In January 2024, I published my debut novel, The Outsider, and I have big plans for the future, including a spin-off series and more books in the genre!

For a long time, I was paralyzed by fear—fear of judgment, fear of criticism. I was so caught up in the potential negative reviews and the thought of people reading my work that I nearly let my self-doubt hold me back. Imposter syndrome was a constant companion. But I decided to face that fear head-on, taking the biggest risk of my life by putting my book out there for the world to see. Looking back now, I wish I had done it sooner.

The rewards have been more than I ever expected. Through this journey, I’ve met some of the most amazing people in the book community. It’s a tight-knit group, and their support has been nothing short of incredible. I’ve received emails from readers—some of whom I’ve never met—telling me how my book helped them escape a reading slump or inspired them to write more. I’m completely humbled by the kindness and encouragement I’ve received.

To everyone who’s supported me, whether through reading my book, sharing their thoughts, or simply cheering me on, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It truly means the world to me. It’s hard to believe that I once hesitated to publish, but now, I’m so incredibly grateful that I took the risk.

Shannon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in a small, one-red-light town in Tennessee, where life moved a little slower, and the bonds of family and tradition ran deep. Nestled between rolling hills and quiet roads, our home was always filled with the scent of old pages and the whispers of stories waiting to be told. My parents and older sisters surrounded me with books, instilling in me a love for reading that became more than just a pastime—it was a way of life. It was how we connected, how we escaped, and how we dreamed beyond the borders of our tiny town.

But reading wasn’t enough for me. As soon as I could hold a pen, I started crafting my own stories, pouring my heart onto the page in a way I couldn’t always do with spoken words. At first, my writing was just for me—a collection of thoughts, dreams, and make-believe worlds scribbled into notebooks. I rarely shared them with anyone outside my family, but they never stopped encouraging me. My parents and sisters sat through endless stories, some of which, looking back, were far from perfect. But they listened anyway, their unwavering belief in me shaping the writer I would one day become.

The past year has brought changes I never could have imagined. Moving to Texas, to a town that could swallow my little hometown whole, has been both exhilarating and overwhelming. Suddenly, opportunities I once thought were out of reach have become real possibilities. The dream I held onto for so long—the dream of becoming an author—is no longer just a dream. It’s happening. And through it all, I have had my fiancé by my side, the one person who has truly seen every part of this journey.

He has been my greatest support, my steady anchor through uncertainty. He has worked harder so I could have the freedom to chase this lifelong passion, never once letting me feel like I was in it alone. Without him, I don’t know if I would have had the courage to take this leap, to believe in myself the way he believes in me. His faith in me has given me strength on the hardest days, and his love has made every victory even sweeter.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. Every challenge, every shift, every unexpected turn—it all leads us somewhere we’re meant to be. And though change is never easy, I am choosing to embrace it with hope and gratitude. Because I know this is just the beginning. There are still so many stories left to write, so many dreams left to chase, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being an indie author means freedom—it means having complete creative control over the stories I tell, the worlds I build, and the way my words reach readers. It’s a path paved with passion, persistence, and an unshakable belief in my own voice. There’s no safety net, no big publishing house guiding my steps, just me and the dream I’ve nurtured since childhood. Every choice, from the cover design to the last edited sentence, is mine to make, and while that can be overwhelming, it’s also incredibly empowering.

But being an indie author is more than just creating books—it’s about forging connections. Every reader who picks up my work, every message I receive from someone who was moved by my words, reminds me why I chose this path. There is something deeply personal about putting my heart into a story and knowing it found its way into someone else’s hands, that it made them feel something, that it became a small part of their world, even if just for a moment. That is the most rewarding part of this journey—not sales, not rankings, but the impact my stories have on the people who read them.

The road of an indie author isn’t always easy. There are moments of doubt, days when the words don’t flow, and nights spent wondering if I’m doing enough. But then, I remember why I started—because storytelling is in my blood, because I have stories inside me that demand to be told, because somewhere out there, someone is waiting for a book like mine to remind them they’re not alone. And that makes every challenge, every long night, and every ounce of effort worth it.

At the end of the day, success as an indie author isn’t just about numbers—it’s about heart. It’s about telling stories that matter, stories that resonate, stories that find their way to the people who need them the most. And for me, that is the greatest reward of all.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Supporting an indie author goes beyond just buying a book—it’s about recognizing the heart, effort, and dedication that goes into every story we create. Unlike traditionally published authors who have large publishing houses backing them, indie authors do it all—writing, editing, marketing, and everything in between. It’s an uphill battle, but one that we take on with passion because we believe in our stories. And the truth is, we can’t do it alone.

One of the simplest yet most powerful ways society can support indie authors is by spreading the word. A recommendation, a review, or even a simple social media post about a book you loved can make all the difference. Word-of-mouth is everything for indie authors. When a reader shares a book with a friend, leaves a review, or even just engages with an author’s content, it helps more than they realize. In a world flooded with books, visibility is one of the biggest struggles we face, and every small act of support helps our work find its audience.

Another way to help is by valuing indie books just as much as traditionally published ones. There’s sometimes a stigma that indie books aren’t as polished or “worthy” as those backed by big publishers, but the truth is, many indie authors pour just as much—if not more—time, effort, and resources into making their books the best they can be. By giving indie authors a chance, by embracing their stories with the same excitement as bestsellers, readers are helping to break down those outdated barriers and giving fresh voices a place in the literary world.

At the end of the day, indie authors thrive because of the support of their readers. Whether it’s purchasing a book, borrowing it from a library, recommending it to a friend, or simply engaging with an author’s journey, every act of kindness fuels our passion and keeps our stories alive. We don’t have massive marketing budgets or big-name publishers backing us—we have our readers, and that means everything.

Contact Info:

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