Why Self Publish?

Self publishing has always been regarded as a cheat's way of publishing. It was always thought of as being a bit like jumping the queue and hoping no one saw you. But I thought it was about time someone wrote a decent defence of self publishing.
Over five hundred years ago a man by the name of Gutenberg invented a revolutionary press, called the Gutenberg Press and although it might seem like old hat to us, back then it was seen as scandalous and even dangerous. Prior to Gutenberg we had monks laboriously copying books by hand and being learned men they also edited said books. Thus the publishing trade was controlled by the church and the flow of information was passed onto the privileged few. But with the new Gutenberg Press a new world opened up, one that the church had no control over. For the first time printing was affordable, anyone with enough money could have their book printed.
We tend to forget that back then, along with some fine books, there were a lot of books that weren't worth the paper they were printed on. But the light of reason had finally descended on Europe and the tyranny of the church began to lose its grip. Authors could now publish their work although one can guess the church fought hard against the new invention. After all, if monks weren't there to edit the books where was the quality control?
I tend to think of the Gutenberg Press whenever someone questions why I don't use traditional publishing methods i.e. the traditional printing press! To be honest, I do send work to publishers, usually short stories but I have discovered that the Internet, like the original Gutenberg Press gives writers a unique chance to throw their thoughts onto a page. And like the writers of a few hundred years ago we are treated to some splendid books, and some lamentable trash that should never have been uploaded.
Self publishing however is rooted in the artistic soul, we live to create. I am most at peace when I have sent a story to a friend and am anxiously awaiting their feedback. We writers want an audience and self publishing gives it to us. Self publishing is not a place for queue jumping, nor is it a guarantee of riches. If you want to get rich then quit writing! Self publishing gives me the chance to write what I want, when I want. I don't have to fall into line with an editor's point of view and I'm not decrying editors. I've had to edit work for people. But for me it has become an invaluable medium that is just as worthy of applause as traditional publishing.
I know there are detractors out there who point out the sharks preying on vulnerable writers and my advice to any writer thinking of self publishing is do your research! If they demand too much money then check their credentials. Don't walk into this thinking you're going to make pots of money, you won't but what you have is an opportunity to find your voice.
Self publishing is just story telling in another form.

Written by Alastair Rosie

Cheers,
Alastair


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SELF PUBLISHING

Why Self Publish?