The promise of self-publishing is that of true freedom of expression, which affords writers the opportunity to put their books out into the world without the commercial or political concerns faced by traditional publishers. In 2025, that freedom is more precious than ever, and many of the books that I was lucky enough to encounter at BookLife exemplified it, speaking urgent truths with power (and, often, wit). Another freedom enjoyed by independent authors is the power to tell the story they want the way they want. Many of the strongest indie books we read in 2025 hail from worlds of romance, horror, mystery, and literary fiction, where authors dance with readers’ expectations. The human love for a tale well told, alive with surprise and prose worth reading, still reigns … long may it do so. – Alan Scherstuhl, Booklife Reviews Editor