Do It Yourself! If you are a writer that means self-publishing. There is no traditional publisher. Instead, editorial control of content, printing, marketing and distribution all fall to the enterprising author. Some authors undertake the entire cost, some seek subsidy publishers who share the costs, the tasks and the control. Print-on-demand is another option. Often web-based, print-on-demand or POD publishers offer proofreading, marketing, jacket design and even ISBN service. ISBN or International Standard Book Numbers are those 13-digit identifiers, each unique to a particular book. ISBN is used for searching titles and selling online (and in the daily tasks of your local
library.)
Self-published books can catch on and find a large audience if self-promotion, a hot topic and talent collide… and the stars are aligned! There are at least two books climbing up the popularity charts right now that started out as self-published. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry has been picked up by William Morrow publishers and is moving up the most in-demand list here at the Library. Read about the author’s DIY experience. Another book gaining in popularity is The Shack by William P. Young. A novel based on the author’s life changing experiences, this story of faith was written for friends and family. That most powerful marketing device – word-of-mouth - has propelled it to a wide audience. Watch an interview with William Paul Young.
Here are a few other books that started out self-published:
- Spartacus by Howard Fast
- Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
- Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer
- What Color is your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles
- In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters
- Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Current technology such as the proliferation of media channels and blogging have contributed to the steady increase in DIY publishing.
