“We should work together.”

‘Would you like to collaborate with me on ____?”

“It would be great if we worked on a project together.”

The list goes on.

Over the years, a dozen people have made various remarks like the ones above to me. I have always gotten excited. But I soon realized the above meant two things.

First, it would not pan out due to life, circumstances, and more.

Two, what people meant was this. They want me to do the work with input and ideas now and then from them. They want me to revise and edit the whole book with thoughts now and then from them. They want me to shop the manuscript to publishers with no input from them. They want me to do the bulk of promotion and marketing. They also want me to use my well-established author platform on their behalf while they enjoy what comes from it.

Hey, if I could convince someone to do that, I would climb aboard that train. Well, to a certain degree.

But, no.

Hmm. Let me be more clear on this topic. Hell no.

Either they don’t know how much work is necessary or they don’t want to do a share of it.

I understand. Doing this kind of work is not easy. It involves a lot of time and effort. Things I am willing to put into a collaboration with someone.

However, if you think I am going to do the bulk of the work and you put your name on that cover, you are delusional.

If someone is willing to work with me, that is awesome. I welcome it.

But until that moment arrives, I will stick to working on my own.