Amanda Hocking, the 26-year-old self-publishing phenomenon who sold 450,000 books in January -- of which more than 400,000 were e-books -- is said to be thinking about a new four-book series.

Which she is shopping, the New York Times reports, to traditional publishers. Rumors are that they're biting for upwards of $1 million in a competitive auction.

For those not familiar with Hocking's work, she describes it on her website as "young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy mostly." She's written one series about vampires in Minneapolis, a paranormal romance series and a new dystopian urban fantasy with zombies.

According to Hocking's blog, she's sold an additional 900,000 books since January. That's ginormous. Why bother with a traditional publisher?

Could it be the money? Hocking's e-books sell for 99 cents to $2.99; the author's cut is 70% of the $2.99 books, but just 30% of the 99-cent books. If most of her sales are at $2.99, she's much better off, if her sales figures hold. If the sales are heavily weighted toward the 99-cent books, she's made less than a half-million dollars this year. Which is actually quite good.

Could it be that publishers actually add value? USA Today writes, "Hocking credits her success to aggressive self-promotion on her blog, Facebook and Twitter, word of mouth and writing in a popular genre -- her books star trolls, vampires and zombies." Could it be that a publisher could provide the marketing and outreach Hocking was able to achieve on her own?

On her blog earlier this month, Hocking wrote:

Traditional publishing and indie publishing aren't all that different, and I don't think people realize that. Some books and authors are best sellers, but most aren't. It may be easier to self-publish than it is to traditionally publish, but in all honesty, it's harder to be a best seller self-publishing than it is with a house. I don't think people really grasp how much work I do. ... The amount of time and energy I put into marketing is exhausting. I am continuously overwhelmed by the amount of work I have to do that isn't writing a book. I hardly have time to write anymore, which ... terrifies me.

Maybe she just wants to get back to writing. She made that clear.