If my book were self-published

If my book were self-published, I wouldn’t have been reviewed in TIME.

If my book were self-published, it wouldn’t have found its way onto the shelf of an airport bookstore and into the hands of the sociology professor at Wingate University who was the first to champion it as a common reader text.

If my book were self-published, I’d still have a “real” job.

If my book were self-published, universities wouldn’t purchase a thousand copies at a time for their entire freshman class to read.

If my book were self-published, my wife would’ve had to find a new job instead of deciding to stay at home.

I have nothing against self-publishing. In fact, I foresee a future in which I’ll traditionally publish and self-publish (eBooks). I think all authors moving forward need to diversify. I also think that self-publishing is the right path for some people. That said, the thing that has led to what success I’ve had as an author and allowed me to support my family is the authority that comes along with having a traditionally published book.

If my book were self-published, I wouldn’t be typing this from my home on a Wednesday afternoon. I would be in an office working on someone else’s dream.