Self-publishing, once referred to as “vanity” publishing, is no longer a last resort for professional and/or upcoming writers. Today, self-publishing is an approach used by authors who wish to retain complete control over their marketing and sales, the cover design of their novels, how they are represented to bookstores and the media, and what content will be included in their final manuscripts.
Unpublished authors often take advantage of self-publishing to gain recognition and prove their marketability, as well as to earn an initial readership for future publications. Having already sold a novel well independently can help authors gain attention from traditional publishers if that is their ultimate goal.
Authors who have previously used traditional publishers and later switch to self-publishing often do so to acquire more control over their work, and more reliability in terms of acceptance and publication.
Of course, self-publishing is not suitable for every writer. Those who may benefit the greatest from independent publishing may include:
· Authors wishing to break into a tight niche market
· New authors hoping to gain recognition from traditional publishers
· Writers with background knowledge in sales, marketing, design, and/or desktop publishing
· Full-time writers with the desire to promote their own work
While rejection from traditional publishers may be used as a prompt to look into self-publishing, gaining positive recognition from at least one major traditional book publisher, agent, contest, or magazine for your work is recommended before venturing into the independent arena. Professional acknowledgment is key to creating quality work, regardless of the publication method used.
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