I’ve been reading a lot about John Locke’s new book deal, mainly because I’m so interested in the concept of self-publishing these days. I’m not taking the plunge yet myself, mainly because I think working with e-publishers is a more realistic move for someone who writes what I write. In other words, I’m not expecting any big blockbuster books with m/m romance. I never did expect one. I’ve always been extremely realistic about what I do and the genre in which I write and I’ve always been happy to have enough projects that keep me busy and working all the time. For a career author, this is like finding a pot of gold. We all want that big book and we all want to win the lottery and we all want to find the fountain of youth. But we all eventually have to face the facts and be realistic.

But I’m always curious about new things in publishing, and this new book deal Locke landed is fascinating.

NEW YORK — Self-publishing author John Locke has a made an untraditional deal with a traditional publisher.

Simon & Schuster announced Monday that beginning early next year it will distribute physical editions of Locke’s Donovan Creed thrillers, which have sold more than 1 million copies as e-books.

Locke will continue to publish and edit his work, through his own John Locke Books, and the author will maintain full control over the digital versions. His novels include “Lethal People” and “The Love You Crave.”

In a statement issued by Simon & Schuster, Locke called the agreement an “exciting departure from the norm” of giving the same publisher rights to both e-books and traditional books.