I refuse to tie up these books for lifetime of copyright, not knowing if they will scrw it up, and I refuse to allow an open-ended ebook clause that basically says they can pay me anything they feel like it at any time. Contracts stink right now -- and if I deal with a small press, my agent will break with me if there's no advance. (At least he refused to do so the last time I brought him a small press.)

These aren't just books to me -- this series is my baby.

If I could get a decent contract from NYC, I'd work with Ace, because Anne Sowards loved the Allie books. But she didn't want to buy the backlist until I finished the third -- and the third isn't finished because of financial pressures. I understand her position, but she's lost her advantage. I need income, and that means getting the books out as fast as I can.

Don't I need a manuscript from you? ;^)