If You Push Boundaries

I wrote a story
a couple of years ago.
It was dark and edgy
and had a scene in it
that might have gotten
the book banned
from booksellers.

I knew this.
I knew I was taking a risk,
pushing acceptable boundaries.
But I decided to publish it anyway.

It wasn’t banned
and it ended up being
my bestselling story thus far.

A writer pushed
those same boundaries
even farther last week.
Her book sold quite a few copies
and then WAS banned.

If you push boundaries,
you’re taking a risk.

There’s usually huge upside
with that risk
but also be aware of the downside.

Prepare for both situations.

(This writer is now selling
the story directly to readers,
marketing it as a story
so extreme
it was banned from booksellers.)