A Declaration of Independence - Why Self-Publishing is the Way Forward!

Previously, self-publishing has been looked upon with a great deal of
disdain. Such projects were invariably managed by companies who
were taking advantage of the aspiring writer, who was forced to pay
up front fees and costs at every stage of the publishing process. It was
further frowned upon because self-recommendation isn't deemed in
some circles to be any recommendation at all. In short, just because
you think you are good enough to be published, does not make it
an indisputable fact.

But isn't this true of any author? Writers who are published through
publishing houses have had their work approved by a hand full of
people. These people are lucky enough to have the resources to
promote the project with the ultimate aim of making a profit. Because
people know about the book, if it appeals to them, they buy it - but
the fact still remains that it has only been published due
to a few people believing in it's power to speak to readers
(aka potential consumers).

With this in mind, perhaps now is the time for the author
to finally claim some authority over their work and not rely on
publishing houses that are in all cases inundated with manuscripts
and in most cases only interested in what will generate sales (it's not
their fault, they're running a business and must do what is necessary
to survive).

And so the torch is passed to the author, the unknown writer to make
things happen for themselves rather than waiting for the approval of
some unknown editor at the other end of the phone. If you have written
a manuscript there is now a method by which you can self-publish
without being ripped off by a vanity company. This opportunity
comes in the form of writer-friendly websites who take a small
commission on each book sold, but do not charge up any set-up fees
and incorporate the cost of printing and publishing into the cost
of the book.

You too will earn royalties for each unit sold, so there really is no
excuse for letting that pile of papers on the shelf that was supposed
to be your award-winning novel get dusty.

Visit www.lulu.com and find out how you can follow in the footsteps of
Walt Whitman.

Future tips on publishing your own work including proof
reading, editing and marketing will follow soon on this blog.

The author of this post will be publishing her own work on lulu.com in
January 2008. A collection of poetry entitled "Dislocation." There
will be further updates about the launch of this book coming soon.