Writers can often earn far more money by self-publishing, provided that it’s still done professionally, as I learned from this article. Self-publishing also allows writers to retain creative control over their work, which can be wonderful, allowing writers to take risks that traditional publishers wouldn’t touch. Again, this only works if it’s done professionally and with care. Seth Godin exhorts us to pick ourselves, not because we’re entitled to success, but because it forces us to begin our work now instead of waiting until some gatekeeper (i.e. publisher, music label, HR hiring manager) tells us we’re worthy, which is unlikely to ever happen.