Introduction: When Did Books Stop Surprising You? You pick up a new novel, hoping for something fresh—something that will engage your mind, immerse you in an unfamiliar world, and introduce you to unforgettable characters. But after a few chapters, you realize you’ve seen this story before. The same romantic arc. The same thriller twist. The same fantasy journey. Mainstream publishers have mastered the art of selling repetition as innovation. Instead of producing truly origin
