Publishing is a business and we fall into the same categories and patterns as any business folks happen to do. Some know their stuff and some only know how to manager you away from your money well.

As with any other endeavor, it helps to know what we’re doing upfront.

Thank you, Kathy, for your rousing enthusiasm. :)

As I look at your list of why people want to write books… it’s been my experience that while each of those reasons are part of the whole “author mystique” that MANY would be authors think with fame comes riches.

Because I had previously worked with a client whose clients and colleagues include a few best selling authors, I got a “peek” behind the “glamorous” life of an author long before I decided to write my little tome.

The most important lesson I learned was this: book sales are considered “gravy” for many of these “names you would definitely know” authors. The real meat of their business was consulting and/or speaking.

With that knowledge in hand, my goal for my book was for it to act as a “credibility” tool. As such, the costs associated with the book are filed as a marketing expense in my mind. With that goal in mind, my book has done extremely well for me. I’ve landed enough new clients as a direct result of the book that publishing the book has been EXTREMELY profitable for me.

However, if my goal was to retire and live off the earnings from sales of the book…. well, it wouldn’t be a lavish lifestyle AT ALL! Especially with just one title to my name!

Again, GREAT POST!!! Realistic expectations UP FRONT will make would be authors less susceptible to falling for many of the “marketing tactics” used by some self publishing houses.

I am so looking forward to the rest of this series!

Karin H. (keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)