| Self-publishing has become common practice | | | | the topic is only interesting in a small |
| for many writers who want accolades of having | | | | geographic area. Literary agents and book |
| a book published, no matter who publishes it. | | | | agents may also deny publication because the |
| Writers choose self-publishing for various | | | | book addresses an obscure topic in which few |
| reasons. Many writers desire the freedom and | | | | people are interested. Writers of |
| business aspects of publishing work | | | | controversial works may also choose to |
| independently. A self-published writer is one | | | | self-publish, as many traditional publishers |
| who is in control of every aspect of their | | | | refuse to work with controversial writings. |
| published work. The publishing industry | | | | Some authors choose self-publishing because |
| defines self-publishing as authors publishing | | | | they want a larger royalty from retail sales. |
| their own books or other media, instead of | | | | |
| with a third-party publisher. Today's | | | | IS SELF-PUBLISHING A SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS? |
| technology has increased the pool of | | | | |
| self-publishers, but it still represents only | | | | Self-publishing is not a shortcut to having a |
| a small percentage of the publishing industry | | | | printed book. Depending on what your goals |
| in terms of sales. The proliferation of media | | | | are, it may or may not be a direction you |
| channels, such as blogging, video, and audio | | | | would like to take. In the hard copy world, |
| content, has contributed to the increase in | | | | self-publishing is costly. Getting a book |
| self-publishers. | | | | into print costs more money than many writers |
| | | | want to spend. This is why the Internet is a |
| THE BUSINESS OF SELF-PUBLISHING | | | | blessing -- it's free. You can either start |
| | | | up a free website of your own and post your |
| The business of self-publishing books and | | | | novel, or pay a small monthly sum and sell |
| other media is different from any other | | | | your writing online. If you can write well |
| business. The absence of a traditional | | | | enough to catch someone's attention, your |
| publisher makes self-publishing unique. The | | | | readers may be willing to pay for a download |
| author of the content takes on the role of | | | | of your book. By self-publishing online, you |
| the traditional publisher. The author | | | | avoid the normal book publishing costs and |
| controls the editorial content, arranges for | | | | still get exposure. Who knows, you may be |
| printing, markets the material, and | | | | lucky and grab the attention of a publishing |
| distributes the material to consumers and | | | | guru who thinks you could make a lot of money |
| retailers. Self-publishers publish their | | | | from your self-published book. |
| books in printed form, or choose | | | | |
| print-on-demand with no inventory. Many | | | | Whatever your reason is for self-publishing, |
| self-published authors decide to subsidize | | | | you should know that self-publishing requires |
| their work rather than making money from it. | | | | extensive work. Self-publishing involves a |
| Digital printing technology has evolved | | | | long list of tasks, which include |
| self-publishing into digital photo book | | | | prepublication and publication. |
| printing. Self-publishers are able to get | | | | Prepublication includes editing or obtaining |
| individually printed photo books from firms | | | | editing for the manuscript, proofreading, |
| like Apple's iPhoto, FotoInsight, Snapfish, | | | | establishing yourself as a legal retail |
| and Printing-1. | | | | business, and obtaining an ISBN "Cataloging |
| | | | in Publication" number. |
| THE MOTIVES OF SELF-PUBLISHING | | | | |
| | | | The publication process involves formatting |
| Many writers have varied motives to | | | | the manuscript, providing front matter and |
| self-publish. One common reason is the | | | | back matter, and providing cover art for the |
| writer's work is not of interest to the | | | | front and back covers and the spine of the |
| commercial publisher, and otherwise not | | | | book. Self-publishers must also obtain |
| marketable. Another common reason is the | | | | printing quotes, determine how to deliver the |
| writer prefers to retain complete editorial | | | | manuscript to the printer, and pay for |
| control over content. Many writers are | | | | printing and delivery of finished books. |
| unwilling to compromise editing of their | | | | |
| work, and some writers prefer to have their | | | | Publishing a book online is easier than |
| work presented "as is." Literary agents and | | | | publishing in the world of hard copy. The |
| book agents may deny publishing a book | | | | result is not as glorified, but it is a step |
| because the author is unknown and does not | | | | towards success in the published realm. The |
| have a substantial resume. Self-publishing | | | | more experience you can get writing, the |
| may also be an alternative for writers who | | | | better writer you will be. |
| have written material on a popular topic but | | | | |