The unlucky part for me, is that lots of authors have their contracts returned, and I have to fight for mine. That's where I am now; in the midst of taking on my publishers for return of my contracts.

Publish America has buried my books so deep on their web site, that not even a team of covert military rescuers could find them. I went up to the site the other day and entered my name. Hell's Bells, I spent a half hour  looking for myself and failed. So they send me a pitiful royalty check which I never cash because everyone at the bank knows I'm an author. Therefore, pitiful checks don't get cashed. How can someone buy my novels when they can't be found amongst PA's 'boasted' millions of titles?

I have a publisher I've written two mysteries for as the start of a series. Well, the series ended with two. He's had the third novel for over a year and hasn't gone to contract, yet won't release the novel back to me. He claims he has 'first right of refusal' on my novels. Well, for damn sakes, refuse it already.

Fight after fight and I'm sick of it. So far I've gotten the rights back on six of my Dorchester novels, the two Romantic Thrillers and there's more to come. I'd rather self-publish them than let a publisher stick them up his/her butt and forget about them.

I know I'm taking a risk by doing this. But not selling for the various reasons stated above is also a risk. Before I fade into obscurity, I'll sell them out of the back of my car. Hey, a lot of bestselling authors started out that way. I'm nervous about my choice, and yet, having books tucked away and out of public view is even more of a risk.

If enough of us get fed up and do the same, maybe these publishers who've suffered a shift in the bodily placement of their brains will smarten up and do their jobs.

Soon as I receive enough graphic and digital arts training at the academy, I'll make up my own book covers and sell them myself. Wish me luck.