LLCs For Authors | Self-Publishing

[@kiramaepetty]

This is the first video I’ve watch about LLCs that has talked a registering agent and I’m very grateful for that because I don’t want people to be able to find out where I live lol Also, in Iowa it only cost 50 dollars to setup a LLC at least from what I’ve found

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Kira Mae Petty Oh awesome! That’s cheap! Dang. :)

[@bytheBrooke]

Dang! So much helpful info! I work at a CPA office, so I know I'm gonna have some guidance from people at work when it comes to LLC's, but this was such a great look at what all to expect and I wouldn't have had a clue what to look into! Thank you, Courtney!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

bytheBrooke so you’ve got the right people in your corner to guide you with all the really fun tax stuff. LOL! So glad it was helpful. ❤️❤️

[@AlexaDonne]

LOVE THIS, taking notes. I've not gone down this route yet, though I might in the future. Currently I find it too overwhelming and my accountant said it wasn't needed yet.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Oh awesome! Yeah, I’m not sure I’d start one if I was traditional published just because the publisher has taken responsibility. So if someone was to sue, their lawyers would be involved and all of that. :) And if your accountant says it’s not needed, I’d totally listen to that person, most likely because the expense of filing isn’t a smart financial decision at the moment. Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@TheCourtneyProject]

If you have any questions regarding LLCs please feel free to ask and I’ll try to help as best as I can! Update 2021: Make sure you fully understand your states rules on registering agents. Some states will STILL post your personal info, so please be aware of that. Please remember to ALWAYS consult a professional (accountant/lawyer) in your area for state laws because it can vary.

[@AprilNRay]

do you recommend an LLC if you are not making a lot of money with your books?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I think it’s worth the added protection in the beginning, especially if you’re brought to court. Also, someone brought up a really great point that if for some reason your wages are garnished from something unrelated to publishing, your business bank account is protected from your personal as well, so it goes both ways. I think it’s something that should be looked into, but I’d talk to your accountant first. My opinion is if you’re planning on writing as a career and self-publishing (because with trad pubbed they’re essentially taking the risk and representing your work so it’s not necessary imo), I’d do it before the first book is self-published. Right now, though I don’t plan on getting sued, I have zero protection for my Lyra Parish work, which is why I’m getting it before I republish. I don’t want someone to sue me and empty my life’s savings. It’s scary to think about. Once you file, initially, you don’t have to pay that fee again but rather have to keep up with the tax portion yearly. Hopefully that helps answer you question! On my Lyra Parish personal profile on Facebook there’s a thread about it with some good discussion if you’re interested.

[@AprilNRay]

@@TheCourtneyProject thank you I

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome! ❤️❤️

[@katherineroberts5698]

@@AprilNRay ...Another great site is LLC University. A lot of great information as well. I live in Texas as well. Thank you your information.

[@amandagrubbs3855]

This video came at such a good time, as I’ve been researching my best options as far as LLCs go. Thanks so much for the information. You always provide it in a clear and concise way that makes sense, instead of just info dumping. Thanks!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Amanda Grubbs aww thanks! That means a lot to me. ❤️ So happy it was helpful.

[@clairel.wilkinson7404]

Just wanted to say thank you. I am a total newbie and today one of my readers asked if i was on authortube. I didn't know what it was so i started watching videos... that was probably a massive mistake but then i came across your videos and binged watched a load of them. I love that you are anything but fake and can't wait to see more x

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww thank you! That means a lot to me!

[@aimeepartain6595]

This is a video I am here for!! I don't understand about 89% of the business side, or taxes anyway. So this is really helpful.

[@ezequielmartinez3582]

You can also get a virtual office address. It can be cheaper with much more benefits.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

This is true! But some people don’t want their names attached to secret projects.

[@BestsellingAuthorLisaDaily]

Writers are all about the semantics. 😀. Fantastic video, with a ton of great information.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Bestselling Author Writing Coach Lisa Daily haha! I’ve just found when you say you have a publishing house, people want to know how they can submit to be published, when that’s not the purpose of having an LLC for every indie. Maybe it’s just me!

[@BestsellingAuthorLisaDaily]

@@TheCourtneyProject I'm the same way :-)

[@tylerbhumphries]

In Missouri it’s about $57 if you do it online through the Secretary of State website. $50 for the LLC form and $7 for the fictitious name. It cost about $100 more if you do it on paper and mail it in. Legalzoom charges about $300 for this, last time I checked (about 2 years ago)

[@TheCourtneyProject]

It’s $51 on incfile.com to file for an LLC and they do all the filing of paperwork for you. Plus you get a registering agent for free for one year. :)

[@tylerbhumphries]

@@TheCourtneyProject Wow, I didn't know that. I just registered my photography company about a hour ago. Wish I would have known that.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Dang, sorry! They’re really easy to use and I prefer them over legalzoom. :)

[@mickeymiles9394]

This was so helpful, and informative!!! I am so gonna save this video for when I’m ready to publish!! Thanks for dropping the knowledge!!!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Mickey Miles glad it was helpful! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SDHegyes]

Thank you for this information. I'd heard of Legalzoom, but not the other site, and I hadn't heard about registering agents before.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome! I learned about them a few years ago and have been pleased with their service! :) Can’t beat a free registering agent for a year!

[@magpie_mel]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you! Like you, I unpublished my books for the purposes of overhaul so will definitely be setting up an LLC once I’m ready to relaunch. It’s time to git serious 😁. I’m in Canada so obviously it’ll be slightly different but just knowing “why” I should do it is invaluable! Thanks again!

[@magpie_mel]

Ha!! Evidently, the Google Machine tells me we don’t have LLCs in Canada 😂. Corporation is the closest thing. Learning all the time....

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Ahh yes, it’s totally different in other countries! ❤️

[@theekhalilabre]

Thank you for clearing that up for me 😂 I own a Publishing House 🥰 I always got confused about what made it a house vs business.

[@jessiejessw]

Thank u so much. I'm trying to start my own book series. I would love to keep my stuff protected. Even if it doesn't go anywhere I want to do it right thank you

[@sharondavis3535]

Thank you 🙏🏽 especially re: registering agent.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You're welcome!

[@pierre-louisdrevon2213]

Good advice for security reasons!

[@saravallejo3399]

Super helpful! I can't wait until I can use this information. :D

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Sara Vallejo yay! It’s always exciting creating an LLC! Makes it all official. :)

[@kainoa_written]

First video of yours I found Definitely subscribed! Navigating my path. Appreciative of your sharing of wisdom

[@evelyngray9893]

This was an amazing wealth of information! Thank you so much!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Evelyn Gray you’re very welcome! ❤️❤️

[@laynek7644]

I'm in Australia so it's a little different but I've been thinking about this same thing so thanks so much for this video. Very informative 😊

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome! ❤️ I wish I knew more about how it works in other countries!

[@snack528]

Hello Layne, I am in Australia too and looking into LLCs and what options we have here. What did you decide to do?

[@adrianmarb9727]

1)I love the video. I've been struggling to find information on this. Thank you so much for doing this! 2) Holy! I never saw so many authors in a comment section! 😲

[@TheCourtneyProject]

LOL! Thank you!! ❤️❤️

[@TheCourtneyProject]

So glad I could help!

[@grayseeker7084]

Thank you for covering this topic! I've been trying to get answers about this very question, and none of the "how to do business as an author" books I've read have covered it. I'm in Canada, so things are probably different here, but it's still great information. Consider me a subscriber!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Gray Seeker thank you! Yes, it is much different in Canada! I wish I knew more about it, honestly! ❤️❤️

[@AdventuresofLaMari]

Thanks for this video! I always find it interesting why people go for an LLC and if I still lived in the states, I would do one as well. But alas I live in Germany and the tax requirements for authors are different. As always - another great video!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Adventures of La Mari thank you! Yes, it’s so different from country to country.

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I dont know what the UK equivalent is but I may have to look into! Glad to see you back! 💜💜💜

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Ah, yes. The other country stuff is confusing to me because I’ve been told by others how different it is. :) Thanks! I’m glad to be home and settled again!

[@mlp4apc]

Very good practical information. Thank you.

[@BangPhinitsovanna]

Courtney. So setting up to write as an author under a a pen name, you would set it up under a dba such as YOUR name dba PEN NAME. Then secondly your bank account should be under an LLC which means your name dba LLC' name. Will Amazon be able to distinguish both dba and LLC name on their site when they put it on their site?.

[@KHicks697]

Good information, thank you for sharing. 😬 I can't imagine accidently putting my address out there like that.

[@DaisySun4]

@The Courtney Project Thank you.

[@ElyssaAnna]

This is the most helpful video on creating a LLC I have watched!!! Thank you so much!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Yay! Thank you! So glad it was helpful.

[@CODBlackOps6WALKTHROUGH]

please talk about how to run an llc under a pen name. I NEED this

[@TheCourtneyProject]

What do you mean? You setup your account with the EIN that’s assigned to your LLC. When you publish, under the author name you put your pen name. I might make a full video discussing thing because I’ve noticed a few people have more questions about pen names. :) Let me know if that was helpful!

[@bobbylewisjr5250]

Thank you for so much insight! I have a question for you. Two weeks ago I started my llc using Northwest Registered agent company. They set my llc uo but told me Id have to use my own physical address due to my living in Virginia (way vulnerable to creeps)... They told me my registered agent was only able to cover my mailing address. I'd really appreciate your thoughts and advise on my situation?

[@KimNierman-Smith]

This is so helpful and confusing at the same time. I’m new to self publishing and have just completed 2 books in a series of 3. I’ll be going through KDP for paperback print and Ingramspark for the rest. I created a publishing company that is now attached to all my ISBN’s. On Bowker, they state that the name is considered my imprint. On the copyright page of the books, the copyright is under my name and the publisher is the publishing company name. I want to make the company an LLC before publishing, but aren’t sure how this should be stated. Should the company be the LLC with the DBA my author name? Can you state your publishing company name and author name on distributor sites? Thank you Courtney :)

[@LadyTrucker43]

Most detailed and best video on this subject. Ty

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome! Thank you!

[@Mia_Kween]

Question: I’ve wrote 11 books so far and self-published/edit them all on Amazon. Do I need an LLC? If I do get an LLC, do I have to re-publish all my books? How does this work? Please help me understand 🙏🏾

[@jeffh3409]

In Missouri, you can register an LLC but also have multiple DBAs ("fictitious names" as called in Missouri). I am thinking to have the parent or primary LLC as the "publishing company" but have three separate DBAs dedicated as genre-specific presses (one for horror, one for romantic suspense, and one for fantasy). What would be the best way to handle this on Amazon? Would I still just set up one account with the LLC but publish books using the different press names? Or would I need to set up separate accounts for each press? Also, if I self publish under my own LLC/publishing company or press, do I need to buy the ISBNs or Amazon still provides those (for Kindle books)? Thanks!

[@karri-z2f]

Thanks for doing this. So helpful!!!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Karri Allen you’re welcome!

[@31miracles41]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@harveythepooka]

Thank you so much for this. I'm an utter financial ignoramus so this was helpful. I wish it was more helpful, but that's me, not you. >.> I would love move videos like this explaining the business/financial aspect of running your own business and the stuff you never knew you needed to know like marketing, dealing with banks, the ins and out of different platforms, etc. And the year is almost over so I think you can last 2 months without a vacay . . . maybe. :D

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Oh yes! I’m releasing how to setup pre-orders on the wide platforms soon because I know a lot of people find it difficult. And when I go wide, I’m going to record setting up all the accounts because I didn’t go direct when I first released. So it may be helpful! I’ll add all that to my list!!

[@damiandemogines1843]

Hi Courtney! I'm about to release my first book and just have a few questions. Do you ever do one in one consultations over the phone. Specifically about pen names and setting up my LLC. If I use my real name but use a registering agent can somebody still find my address?

[@stevenwhelan4529]

Thanks for this. It was super helpful.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped!

[@kirkjockell]

Great Vid! Here is a side question. After you unpublished your books at Amazon and then re-published them under the LLC, were you able to keep your Reviews?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You should be able to change your tax info in the back of your dashboard. That’s where you’d update that you were now an LLC instead of a sole proprietorship. I don’t think you’d need to unpublish there, but I’d double check.

[@Fabierien]

According to Inc File CA is cheaper than TX. Like $75 vs $300, that is a shocker.....Of course WA, where I am, falls in the middle at $200. BOO! Then again we do not have any state income tax, soooo....However, looks like KY takes the cake $40.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Right, it’s cheaper to file but there’s a required yearly $800 franchise tax in CA and in Texas it’s not required unless you make over $1,180,000 a year. While it is technically cheaper to file, the cost of having an LLC on a yearly basis isn’t. If you go to incfile and look at the top of the website after choosing the state it will tell you the intricacies of each state. It’s so strange how different they all are! We don’t have state income tax in Texas either, I think that’s why it’s so expensive for us.

[@Fabierien]

@@TheCourtneyProject I totally missed that franchise fee. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@Fabierien]

@@TheCourtneyProject thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww you’re welcome! I’m happy to help in what little way I can. ❤️

[@arielreads]

this is a really random question, but if you move, should you re-register your LLC, etc since you wouldnt technically be doing business in that state anymore?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

If you’re moving states, yes, you should, just so you have the protection of doing business in the state you live and where you’re conducting business. Some people don’t, but you’re supposed to.

[@arielreads]

@@TheCourtneyProject thank you!

[@RileyDaemonCreations]

Ah I didn’t know this was nothing that was needed! Is it the same as a business license or would you recommend having both this and a business license? I feel I need a step by step to becoming a professional (and eventual full time) author. I feel so overwhelmed by all of this stuff.

[@teresajones5973]

So who signs the tax forms since there are two of you as a company? Or is there a form where you both sign the final calculations.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

We both can sign because we’re equal owners of the LLC. Everything is basically done electronically these days and before it’s processed and filed, we both have to sign documentation. As far as what goes to the IRS, if I recall correctly, I signed it because our accountant is driving distance from me.

[@draed5528]

If I am not writing books yet but I am a blog writer , would an LLC be needed ?

[@Dice-Gamble]

Can I register it as a nonprofit instead of an LLC?

[@AlexS0h]

I am a little confused about the pen names vs business entity names. If you have a publishing biz, and may want to write under diff pen names, how does that work in regard to entity setup and publishing?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You can create an umbrella company that all of your pen names fall under whether that be a DBA or an LLC. If you’ll be writing under several different names, that’s usually the best bet because more than likely they’ll be published under the same distributor accounts. (This is my opinion and not business/tax/law advice.)

[@AlexS0h]

@@TheCourtneyProject Understood. So when you go to distribute to the various online platforms, iBooks for example, there is a distinction when you publish between the name of your umbrella company and the authors name. Obviously would want the book to show up as being by “pen name” and NOT by “umbrella company name”.

[@williamearljonesjr2718]

Quick Question Do I have to get an LLC for every pen name since I do genre hop? Thank you for the video

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You can create an umbrella LLC that acts somewhat like a publishing company for all of your pen names.

[@Youonlyget1]

Can you use p.o.box?

[@dr.desiahbarnett7662]

So what if I used Lotus Healing Studio LLC . Use it as a self publishing and use my real name as the author. Is they possible ?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

yes, that's absolutely possible! You can have an LLC named differently than the name you're publishing under.

[@JoshuaQuarrell]

I have been losing out on all of that. I published like ten years ago without understanding any of this.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

It’s never too late!

[@dltran3162]

I wrote a book years ago and published to Smashwords and amazon. Now thinking of putting it under an LLC. How do I move the book to the LLC? Deed the book to the LLC, notarize it, establish a tax basis?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I believe you’d just need to establish an LLC and update your tax information in your back office as a corp with your EIN. If you filed for copyright, there is a way you can do a transfer from you as an individual to the LLC. But I’d probably check with your accountant/lawyer to figure out the best way to protect your previously published works under your LLC and the proper steps. I’m not sure about the second part, but I know it’s very easy to update your account on the distributers.

[@sandrasmith8880]

Great video Courtney. Just released my first children's book and I had a question. I've been paying about $50.00 quarterly to the Sec. of State in Texas to maintain the name I've chosen for my publishing co. since I went through Ingramspark and needed a publisher. Should I secure a DBA as well? I'm not sure about an LLC yet, but would only pursue it for protection purposes. Thanks

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I’d get a DBA just so you can open a business bank account. I think it’s around $26? I paid a few extra dollars to have a certified copy that day. I don’t think paying quarterly taxes saves a name in Texas? If so, I’ve never heard of that one before. My husband paid quarterly under his real name for his side hustle, but it didn’t secure his business name, though it was listed for sales tax reasons.

[@sandrasmith8880]

@@TheCourtneyProject Thank you so much. Enjoy your evening.

[@dawn-coramead9536]

How challenging is it to switch the publisher name on Apple? My name pops up and I plan to set up an LLC, but so many people said it wasn’t necessary in the beginning. But I’ll probably set it up before the end of the year because next year is looking busy.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Dawn-Cora Mead I know someone who is still having issues and each time they publish they have to open a ticket with Apple to update it. It’s been going on for three years. You might have better luck though!

[@authorjenniferporter]

If I'll be publishing within the first half of 2022 (no date yet), when should I set up the LLC? I live in Maine

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I’d contact a local accountant and ask! It’s all kinda dependent on what you’re trying to accomplish, etc.

[@kyleb4327]

I was going to get a virtual business address instead of a registering agent.?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You can do that too, especially if you live in a state where a registering agent doesn’t hide your name.

[@kyleb4327]

@@TheCourtneyProject I think they do here in Michigan.. I kinda thought I needed an actual business address bc it's harder to get your ein if you use your home address? Or maybe that was a pobox they didn't work!?! Lol

[@AmyGarciaauthor]

What are the tax benefits to having an LLC?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

For example: we’re considered an LLC S Corp so we only pay a portion of taxes on our “salary” and on what we “distribute” we save that 15%. I’ve saved thousands in taxes because of it. My accountant recommended it for us because me and my writing partner have paid a lot to the IRS. Once we rolled from a C Corp to an S Corp it was a significant difference. Hopefully that makes sense. Essentially you avoid the double taxation. I would 100% talk to a tax lawyer or an accountant about it, but once I consistently made over what my job paid me, it was necessary to switch.

[@HerOwnStudio]

I am opening an LLC for self publishing. I want to open a bank account for business purposes and taxes but the bank says that I need a due diligence form. Is this necessary for self publishers?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I’m not sure what a due diligence form is. I just had to bring my LLC paperwork to the bank and they opened it with no issue. I used Chase Bank.

[@ashantioats2576]

I'm still confused how to do it with the pen name

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Ashanti Oats Tell me what you’re confused about!

[@ashantioats2576]

Do you register the business name under your pen name Instead of your real name? When I filed my business paperwork for my current business, it asked for all members

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Ashanti Oats you’ll file with your real, legal name because it’s a legal entity. If you don’t want people to be able to see your real name as the owner of the LLC for your pen name, that’s when you get a registering agent. You would be the only member unless it’s a co-writing pen name which then you’d have two members. It’s basically stating that you own this business which happens to be the LLC setup for your pen name. Let me know if that makes sense! 😊

[@TheCourtneyProject]

With any legal documentation, even for pen names, you should be signing your real name. This goes for contracts with agents, tax documentation, LLC paperwork, etc. Just as a rule of thumb.

[@allnaturalhair]

Hi! Quick question, were you saying you are exchanging your DBA for an LLC? Or do you need both when using as pen name?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You don’t get the same legal protection between a DBA and LLC. But having a DBA does allow you to open a bank account and perform business as your pen name.

[@Whatever_works]

So to clarify - get a DBA and LLC?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I’d personally get one or the other. :) DBA is more like a sole proprietorship and the LLC is more of it’s own entity. Hopefully that helps!

[@Fabierien]

Does an LLC have shareholders? Can you pay yourself a dividend instead of a salary? Or is that too deep for this?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Fabierien It can. But more than likely you’ll have what they call members, which is what you are. If you’re the S Corp classification you can pay yourself “distributions” but you have to give yourself a reasonable salary as well. Shareholders/dividends is typically used when your corporation goes public, which most authors aren’t going to that extreme with their LLC. Let me know if that makes sense!

[@Fabierien]

@@TheCourtneyProject a little bit. I was watching one of Brandon Sanderson's classes (several years of his 300 level creative writing class at BYU are available on YT) as he mentioned that is what he did and that when you got to a reasonable income ($30k a year or so) it was the best option for taxes. He and his wife were the shareholders and I remember he said he paid himself a reasonable salary. He took the rest as dividends. I had never heard of shareholders in a LLC so I was curious.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Fabierien it sounds like the same thing, but I think my accountant calls it disbursements instead of dividends. It’s when you’re making a nice amount of money and essentially switch from a C Corp to an S Corp. :)

[@rhiannonsweeet]

What if you move alot and want to get a llc just in case? Is it better to get a dba instead? Or just get a llc everytime you move?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Ahh, I think that’s a question for a professional. I’m not sure what the answer would be in that case.

[@nimorri6547]

Can the name of the LLC be the same name as the book that you’re publishing ? 🤔

[@ellenstephens7977]

SO the registering agent scans your email and to you? As in opens your mail? another option. I don't like that idea at all.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Yes, but it’s better than your address being splashed all over the internet (which depends on your state if they hide your info or not). I don’t have issue with it, personally, because I know the odds of me receiving a legal document for them to open and scan is zero.

[@tt7932]

Hi, I don't want an LLC for my books because I'm going through distributors like ingramspark. But, I do want an EIN number so I can open a business account. Also, if I get an EIN I will have to get an tax id number right? Last question, should I put my EIN name as my legal name?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want an LLC because you’re going through ingramspark? Your EIN is your tax ID number. The name that goes on depends on the designation of the business that’s attached to your EIN.

[@parthibanathimuthur1473]

I'm typesetter from India (freelancer) I Do book and cover for very low cast which is your budget.

[@kimberlymullins5971]

if i am not publishing until next year--should i wait to do an LLC or do this now?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’d want to setup your publishing accounts on Amazon, ibooks, Kobo, Nook, Googleplay or Draft2digital with it. So as long as you don’t have preorder, you can do it right before you need those accounts, IMO.

[@kimberlymullins5971]

@@TheCourtneyProject thank you:)

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

Hi Courtney, I had a question. Unfortunately, I found out that my state doesn't allow DBAs (lame 😒). So if I create a publishing company (Hananiah Publishing, LLC), but I use my author website to sell my books (vanessamariebooks.com), do you know if that will cause an issue? Do I have to sell under the publishing name or is there a way around this?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

It shouldn’t! Many people create LLC’s that represent an umbrella of different pen names. I’d probably create a bank account and make sure all of my books were being published under an LLC account for that pen name to show they’re financially linked, if that makes sense. Might take some time to transfer things if you’re running your author platform without an llc now. I’d almost chat with an accountant or financial advisor in your area just to CYA because it’s different in each state. 🥰

[@TheCourtneyProject]

A business attorney may be able to help too!

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

@@TheCourtneyProject I'm not sure I get what you mean by publishing under the LLC account to show they're financially linked. Do you mean having like a website page for the LLC where the books are sold, but it's still a part of my author website? I'll definitely try to chat with an accountant or business attorney about this.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You should seperate your personal finances with your business finances. If you’re running your writing business under your LLC, all the money you make from writing, should go to your LLC with your registered EIN. That way, it shows your pen names are financially linked to your LLC. If you have an LLC and run your writing under your social security number, it’s running as a sole proprietorship.

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

@@TheCourtneyProject I get what you're saying now, it makes sense. I definitely planned on separating my personal & business finances. Thanks.

[@clowd9931]

I self published a month ago, now preparing taxes, would like to do the LLC. Am I too late? My book is already on Amazon. (VA state).

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You might be able to change the tax stuff in the back office. I’d check!

[@suzum.9713]

I have questions- is anybody available currently to chat?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I don’t give business advice. I’d suggest contacting a business attorney or tax advisor that’s local to you.

[@deichuu]

What the heck is an LLc? 🤔

[@TheCourtneyProject]

deichuu It’s a limited liability corporation. :)

[@michaeldpitman]

Why do you have to go to a third-party when you can go directly to the Secretary of State and file it for a lot cheaper? these third parties will upsell you. Go straight to the source.

[@LeonAllanDavis]

Sure, a registering agent make sense but not as much sense as a UPS box. That's my legal address for everything since I move around a lot. Maybe an LLC is cool but who the heck is.gonna sue a self-published author? Just as long as you don't write something stupid like how to make bombs or kill people. Other than that, what you write is protected under the First Amendment. My publishing company name is a dba. So far, so good.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

If someone claims you stole their work, even if you didn’t, they could potentially bring you to court. I’ve seen some completely ridiculous lawsuits happen that shouldn’t have, IMO. There are plenty of great reasons why authors should setup an LLC, the tax benefits of being an S Corp (at least for me) is one of them. The UPS box is great too. I’ve looked into getting one of those because it is a “real address” and isn’t frowned upon for some things like a PO BOX.

[@LeonAllanDavis]

@@TheCourtneyProject It's an interesting area of the law...I looked into it quite a few years ago. Plagiarism is a separate issue. We all know that's a.no-no. But you can't copyright an idea. A concept. All ideas are derivative. The First Amendment has writers covered six ways from Sunday. I could probably write a short story about a Speaker of the House named Nanny Pegrosi who likes to spend her weekends in Tiajuana doing donkey shows. I'm protected. At the most I'd get a "cease and desist" letter, which I can safely ignore. Bottom line, it all depends on how much money you make. If you sell 20,000 copies, no lawyer will take that case. Not worth it. Bit if you sell a million copies, now you might be worth going after. Another important factor is your genre. I write science fiction or, as I like to call it, "speculative fiction". It's not meant to be taken seriously and anyone who does is a blockhead. I wrote a story that had Ann Coulter as the object of some space alien's affections. I did change the name slightly, just for a little CYA. And she was their missing goddess. Pretty funny and she can't sue me for that. I checked with my accountant earlier today and she said my publishing company as a dba is perfectly fine. The nice thing about POD publishing is that you can tweak the manuscript after publication. Even if I did have a problem, I could fix it overnight. Upload the revised version. No problemo. It's not like you have shrinkwrapped pallets of books sitting in a warehouse in Des Moines. So it seems to me this is all an ado about nothing much...

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Leon Allan Davis I guess that’s your opinion. I’ve saved tons of money with my LLC and I like having the peace of mind that my personal assets are protected. 🤷‍♀️

[@LeonAllanDavis]

@@TheCourtneyProject Makes all the sense in the world! Me, I have no "personal assets"...just "personal effects"...the kind of stuff that when I leave this planet, it all gets donated to Goodwill.

[@yasminevine]

Thank you for the video. I have a question. Do you have to have a different LLC for each Pin name? I write songs and books and scripts. Can I have one LLC for all I do and have different pin names for each field?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You don’t! You can put everything under the same LLC!

[@yasminevine]

@@TheCourtneyProject Thats fantastic! Thank you for replying.

[@DMDMStudios]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You're welcome!