Is Independent Publishing for You?

Self publishing can be the best way to see your work in print and reach those who need to read what you have written. It can also be the worst way of achieving your goals. As a judge for the Writer's Digest Self Published Book Awards I have seen a handful of excellent books that fit into the first category and a depressing number that fit into the latter.

Several options are available for authors who want to consider alternative forms of publishing: self-publishing (either in print, electronically, or both), print on demand, and e publishing. Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each can help you make an intelligent decision about which of these options might be a good fit for you—or whether independent publishing is a route you want to take at all.

Addressing the following list of questions can help you decide if independent publishing, whether in print or electronically, is a route you want to take to make your manuscript available to readers:

• What is your motivation and purpose for publishing your book?
• Is your book written for a specific market niche or group of people?
• Do you have a way to sell books direct?
• Who will buy this book?
• Is it your intention to make money on this book or to simply get you work published?

For more information about self publishing visit my Amazon bookstore and look for these and other helpful books.

The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Tom and Marilyn Ross
The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter
Smart Self-Publishing by Linda and Jim Salisbury

The Internet has a plethora of helpful sites and I hope you'll bookmark this one. Please come back often and invite other writers and speakers to come visit too.