| Typically, authors write their books, send them to | | | | Unlike the publisher, the author does not warehouse |
| agents or publishers, and then hope for the best. | | | | the books, but stores them maybe in a home or studio. |
| However, some authors opt to not leave anything to | | | | The author may sell the book directly to readers and |
| chance; they take matters into their own hands and | | | | other end customers. Alternately, the writer may |
| make sure that the book is published. Welcome to the | | | | consider retailing by offering it on consignment through |
| world of self-publishing, wherein books or other media | | | | retail stores. There are also those writers who print the |
| are published by those who have written them. | | | | book themselves, using either a xerographic process |
| Self-publishing enables the author to not only ensure | | | | or a computer printer. Sometimes writers print on |
| that the book is published, but also gives the author | | | | demand, and keep absolutely no inventory. |
| complete control over content (traditionally, the | | | | Cost issues may also mean that the showy full-color |
| publisher does maintain some editorial control over the | | | | cover used by traditional publishers is absent. Bindings |
| matter). Other aspects that the publisher traditionally | | | | suitable for short press runs, like staples, comb bindings, |
| controls - design of the book, the layout of the text, | | | | or wire-bindings may be selected over the perfect |
| the appearance of the cover, the bookbinding, the | | | | binding that is used for larger press runs. |
| quality of the paper, and so on can also be controlled | | | | Besides fiction and non-fiction books, other reasons for |
| by the writer when self-publishing. | | | | self-publishing include: Sales brochures, catalogs and |
| How is self-publishing different from traditional | | | | price lists, annual reports, prospectus, flyers, posters, |
| publishing? Besides the fact that the author is also the | | | | pamphlets, niche market books, invitations to events, |
| publisher, self-publishing means that the author pays for | | | | and religious materials. |
| the publication out of his/her own pocket, and also has | | | | Remember that though routing your book through a |
| to handle marketing on his/her own. | | | | publisher has its own advantages, self-publishing |
| When self-publishing, the author does not get the | | | | means that your work can reach your audience very |
| printer to print the typical 7,000 copies that the | | | | fast, you can set your own prices, and you don't have |
| publisher orders. In the self-publishing model, the author | | | | to share a cent of your earnings with agents and |
| pays for the initial press run, which is usually small. | | | | publishers. |