Authors are diverse in how they perceive themselves as creators. Some envision themselves as loners, satisfied behind the keyboard while letting book distributors handle the sales aspects, leaving them to crank out story after story—music playing alongside a cup of tea and no interruptions. Others picture themselves as quasi-movie stars, being seen, being courted, being idolized as miracle workers on the page with a horde of fans in their wake, organized by some public relations guru.

Neither one is anywhere near reality.