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Re: Self publishing

I think it depends on the subject matter -- for fiction, self-publishing is definitely a stigma and not as acceptable to the reading public -- for nonfiction esp. very specialized subject matter than self-publishing is probably the way the majority of authors go and for many the only alternative.
 
If you are writing about something that only 1,000 people or less in the world really care about, you obviously would not get much interest from publishers -- even small hobby presses.
 
Then there is the profit factor -- if you write, edit, layout/design, print (with a local short-run printer), inventory, market, and sell yourself -- you keep all the profits. If someone else does any/all of these you obviously start dividing that pie up.
 
Note that what I'm talking about is creating your own publishing company for your own books. I do not think highly in general of vanity presses or those that promise to "professionally" publish your book for you. Before you go that route, make sure to get lots of references and check them out thoroughly.
 
This subject interests me also in the music publication field -- very similar things going on for independent musicians... I think it is a very exciting time for connecting directly to your audience and eliminating the traditional middle-men. The web has truly sped that process up.
 
Sincerely,
Kathy Jentz
Editor/Publisher
Washington Gardener magazine
editor@washingtongardener.com
http://www.washingtongardener.com/

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