Step it Up

Self publishing is not only the future of book publishing - it’s easier than you think. No longer are self publishers forced to find that elusive publishing deal to see their name in print, self publishing is now more affordable and accessible than ever.

Here’s why: The rise and rise of print-on-demand technology and websites devoted to self publishing make it extremely easy for writers to bypass conventional publishers. Here, the process of self publishing is fully financed by the author. Automated self publishing is a recent feature of the publishing landscape, with a number of technologies offered by companies such as Lulu. And with the advent of the Internet, self publishing is less and less a last resort and more a smart choice. Let’s face it, mass media has had its day, with television moving to the Internet and more and more best sellers (including ebooks) appearing on Amazon.com.

Publishing with print-on-demand technology has significant advantages for writers, readers, publishers and retailers; not least of which are the cost savings available and the ability to target small yet highly popular niches. If you chose the vanity publishing route, expect charges for set-up services: registration of ISBN number, copyright, Library of Congress, etc. Such a company will set out in a contract the services it provides, the agreed number of books to be printed, and the total cost to the author. Conversly, self publishing means you have complete control over your book – you retain 100% copyright, keep all of the royalties and decide which book store you’d like to target.  Self-publishing can be more cost-effective than book publishers, vanity or subsidy publishing and can result in a much greater quality product, because authors can outsource every aspect of the process rather than accepting a preset package of services.