I assume most readers of this blog are aware that I have been self-publishing my reverted backlist. So far, I’ve gotten my rights back to all but one of my older titles, and I hope to have that reversion in hand shortly. In addition, I’ve self-published some original work.

Here’s what my publishing schedule looks like for 2011-2012 — not necessarily in order, by the way:

2011

• Traditionally published My Immortal Assassin (Grand Central)
• Self-published Lord Ruin (Backlist)
• Traditionally published digital-only short story The King’s Dragon (Macmillan, was paid an advance that earned out)
• Self-published The Spare (Backlist)
• Self-published Stolen Love (Backlist)
• Self-published Future Tense (original, a short story set in the My Immortals series, was previously given away free by Grand Central)
• Self-published Moonlight (a short story originally published in Mammoth Book of Regency Romance, I retained digital rights)
• Traditionally published My Dangerous Pleasure (Grand Central)
• Self-published DX A Crimson City Novella (Backlist)
• Self-published A Darker Crimson (Backlist)

2012

• Traditionally published Not Wicked Enough (Berkley)
• Self-published Free Fall (Original, a novella set in the My Immortals series)
• Self-published Not Wicked Enough in the UK and selected territories (See above, Berkley has North American rights only)
• Self-publish novella in anthology Midnight Scandals (original, with authors Courtney Milan and Sherry Thomas, August 2012)
• Traditionally publish Not Proper Enough (Berkley) September 2012
• Self-publish Not Proper Enough in the UK and selected territories (See above, Berkley has North American rights only)
• Self-publish Scandal in UK and selected territories (Berkley has North American rights only) Still in print in North America
• Self-publish Indiscreet in UK and selected territories (Berkley has North American rights only) To be reprinted in North America
• Self-publish Passion’s Song (Backlist)
• Self-publish Book 5 of the My Immortals series (original)

Before self-publishing I would have just about ZERO chance of finding a traditional publisher interested in taking on Scandal (a RITA finalist), Indiscreet (Bookseller’s Best Award winner), Not Wicked Enough and Not Proper Enough. ZERO. Because if it were possible, my agent or her sub-agent would likely have done so. Instead, I can DIY and start making money 60 days after the books go on sale.

Before self-publishing I would have had ZERO chance of finishing out the My Immortals series. Maybe, you’re thinking, the series sucks. Well, Book 2, My Forbidden Desire, was a RITA finalist. Book 3, My Immortal Assassin, was an RT top pick. Those two things don’t typically happen to books that suck. Not only that, books 1 and 2 have earned out. Book 3 nearly so (release date was January 2011). Book 4 hasn’t been out even a year yet so I haven’t had the statement with returns on it, but it’s on a respectable pace.

Some figures

In 2010, my writing income was 17,000.00
In 2011, my writing income was 62,000.00
In 2012, through May 1, my writing income is $17,000.00

My Question

So where the HELL do the Authors Guild and the AAR get off with their bullshit about self-publishing destroying publishing? Maybe it’s true that it’s destroying the publishing business. But it’s sure as hell not destroying the writing business. And BOTH those organizations are supposed to care more about the writing business.

Edited to add: When I was originally drafting this post, I specifically mentioned Amazon and then edited it out. But I think Amazon needs to be mentioned to make the link between the AAR and AG’s stance, Amazon and authors really clear. What publishers seem to have missed is that authors like me who were doing poorly in terms of money in are now in the position of doing very well indeed. Amazon is the test bed that proves low prices drive sales and that the business model for eBooks is NOT and should not be the same model as for print.

I mean that seriously. Both those organizations are supposed to my representing MY interests, as a professional writer. Take a good look at my writing schedule and my income and tell me where my interests lie. I would like to know why the Author’s Guild and the AAR don’t support a publishing endeavor that does that to my gross writing income.