Awww! Jay! If you lived nearby I’d be asking for a coffee connection to at the very least shake your hand. (I’m a hugger by nature who understands not everyone enjoys a hug LOL).

Before publishing my first work I interviewed a dozen agent-represented authors published by known publishing houses. Half those souls on their way to becoming household names. Other half — names a google search would quickly show how famous they are.

The one issue with signed authors — zero control over their intellectual property. For those comfortable with handing over their text-child (work) to a numbers-driven adoption agency (publishing house) — rock on. Enjoy the journey.

My research results? Signed authors earn a small fraction of what self-published authors earn based on the cold hard fact publishing houses have overhead to pay.

When you become a JKR — publishing houses will demand you continue to produce unless you’re wise enough to spell-out your terms in the contract you signed.

I’m happily self-published. I’m more than happy wearing all the hats necessary to help others find, use and refer my books to others. From marketing-Mondays to signing Saturdays, each day I focus on the many tasks needed to gain and maintain happy, engaged readers.

Truly — the destination is NOT the sale but the journey to reach lives to be of service.

Wishing you well as you skip down publishing lane.