It's always been my intention to eventually publish my books in hard copy - DIY. What could go wrong? I'm a reasonably intelligent guy and I've read a post or two about how to become an independent publisher. I've even attended a few library talks given by independent authors who were willing to share their expertise and experiences in the publishing world. I already have the first volume of my children's book series up and running as an eBook on Kindle and Nook.
So I ask myself, "Exactly when will I begin this project?"
And now I have my answer. That time has come and it's way more involved than I had imagined. But at least it's possible - thanks to the emergence of desktop publishing.
The publishing business has changed dramatically since TCP/IP protocol was standardized and the Internet's World Wide Web burst onto the scene in 1982. A year later and the era of desktop publishing had arrived. These events were followed in 1985 by the introduction of advanced publishing software like Aldus Pagemaker, whose company founder, Paul Brainerd, coined the term "desktop publishing". Desktop publishing (DTP) advanced with every new innovation ushered in by the rapidly developing software and hardware fields. Then, in 1995, a fledgling company named Amazon (founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in Bellevue, Washington) established a presence on the Internet as an online bookstore.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
With all these developments, independent authors, such as myself, can finally see their words in print - without hopelessly spinning their wheels, trying to find the slightest crack in the impenetrable barricades thrown in front of them by the publishing trade houses. The inevitable string of rejection letters can be avoided. No longer must the desperate author fall victim to expensive vanity press publishers who leave the writer with nothing but a garage full of unsold books and broken promises. Today, the author can be in control. DTP print-on-demand companies like Lulu, Createspace, and Author House will print books in hard copy without the writer having to take out a second mortgage to pay for the right to see their work in print. The indie author has the ability to reach millions of potential readers and market their work on personal websites or through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.
Now that I have begun to take on the task of self-publishing, I have a newfound appreciation for the work that publishers, editors and marketing departments do. It's hard work. It almost makes the writing seem easy.
I will update my readers on this site as I work my way through the process; registering ISBNs, setting up text for uploading, navigating the legal aspects of starting a publishing company, etc. etc. etc...
And you know what? With all that's ahead of me, I think I'd better get started. Wish me luck.
So I ask myself, "Exactly when will I begin this project?"
And now I have my answer. That time has come and it's way more involved than I had imagined. But at least it's possible - thanks to the emergence of desktop publishing.
The publishing business has changed dramatically since TCP/IP protocol was standardized and the Internet's World Wide Web burst onto the scene in 1982. A year later and the era of desktop publishing had arrived. These events were followed in 1985 by the introduction of advanced publishing software like Aldus Pagemaker, whose company founder, Paul Brainerd, coined the term "desktop publishing". Desktop publishing (DTP) advanced with every new innovation ushered in by the rapidly developing software and hardware fields. Then, in 1995, a fledgling company named Amazon (founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in Bellevue, Washington) established a presence on the Internet as an online bookstore.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
With all these developments, independent authors, such as myself, can finally see their words in print - without hopelessly spinning their wheels, trying to find the slightest crack in the impenetrable barricades thrown in front of them by the publishing trade houses. The inevitable string of rejection letters can be avoided. No longer must the desperate author fall victim to expensive vanity press publishers who leave the writer with nothing but a garage full of unsold books and broken promises. Today, the author can be in control. DTP print-on-demand companies like Lulu, Createspace, and Author House will print books in hard copy without the writer having to take out a second mortgage to pay for the right to see their work in print. The indie author has the ability to reach millions of potential readers and market their work on personal websites or through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.
Now that I have begun to take on the task of self-publishing, I have a newfound appreciation for the work that publishers, editors and marketing departments do. It's hard work. It almost makes the writing seem easy.
I will update my readers on this site as I work my way through the process; registering ISBNs, setting up text for uploading, navigating the legal aspects of starting a publishing company, etc. etc. etc...
And you know what? With all that's ahead of me, I think I'd better get started. Wish me luck.
RSS Feed
