Self publishing is a relatively new industry that shows great promise. Authors around the world are sinking their teeth into the world of book publishing – and many are finding success. Perhaps one of the greatest long-term effects that self publishing will have on the book industry is to force it to come into the twenty-first century and modernize.

The slow pace that book publishers have established over the years has become the norm. In many cases, publishers are miles behind other industries, technologically speaking. Editors still mark up copies with red ink, many still have assistants re-keying in edited copy. The editorial and printing process can take a year for novels, and multiple years for children’s picture books or specialty books. The question is – do book publishers have to operate this way?

Self publishing is proving that the answer to this question is a firm No. With print-on-demand capabilities (your book can be ready tomorrow), the manner in which books are published and bought is changing. As a result, self publishers are starting to attract the attention of established authors who are simply tired of the wait.

Another problem that can be avoided through self publishing a book is the fact that you practically have to have psychic abilities to predict the marketability of a book. If you know you have a manuscript that is particularly sellable in the near future (say it’s a book about presidential elections, for example), this book will not nearly be as popular if you wait for it to be published in one to two years. Many books end up in the clearance bin because they’ve missed their mark by being irrelevant or simply passé.

At traditional book publishers, the book must go through the regular paces. But when you take the reins and learn how to publish a book on your own dime and your own time – your book will be printed within a schedule controlled by you. Self publishing may not be for everyone – but if you believe in your work and are prepared to do a little self-promotion, it could be a more efficient way to get your book in print.

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