I have two novels in the hopper (late editing stage, but that never really ends until final galleys are done).

One, I'm certain I want to go through the traditional route because I spent 3 years on it and I wish to see it in hardcover. I'm looking for an agent for it now.

The other is a potboiler that only took me 3 months, and although I was aware, in general terms, of how all this stuff works, your story was a reminder that I may be better off self-publishing the potboiler, since I can do my own art and eBook publishing stuff (I learned InDesign and Quark back before most of ya' were born, lol).

The numbers are usually weak for self-publishing, too, but at least I can keep more of it. And one just never knows, right?

I read during the big merger trial that something like 90% of all books don't see more than 1000 copies anyway (the exact numbers may be a little different, but the general idea is correct).

I also apparently like parentheses. If I was paid for them, I'd be rich.

Thanks for a nicely researched article on this!