Carol L Cridge asked Christine Feehan:

Does it ever frustrate you that publishers have power over your books? Any power. If they don't like an ending to a book - or a cover on one can they make you change it? Can they ask you to re-write chapters or make a story longer or shorter? Just wondering... SO many people are into self-publishing now and some are good works. Is it absolutely necessary to have a publisher?

Christine Feehan I haven’t had issues other than with Dark Prince where Dorchester cut 100 pages. That’s why there is now an “Author’s Cut”. My current publisher works with me and my staff as a team. They’ve not asked me to change an end, a chapter or a storyline.
As far as covers go, I am consulted about covers to new books and I do have a say in that. They will often send several ideas to choose from.
There’s been issues in the industry as a whole about word count but that has to do with the fact that there’s only one printer for all of the traditional publishers, which creates quite a challenge. So, some authors are asked to bring their word count down, but as far as asking me to change a story, that’s not happening.
The one thing traditional publishing brings is distribution. I don’t know how independently published authors get distribution into bookstores, Walmart, libraries, etc. I know some of them do. But, I like that my publisher does all of that distribution for me.
I do see so many people self-publishing quite successfully and I think it’s a good idea for all writers to know how to self-publish. I read many independently published authors and have found many great books.

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