Options in Self-Publishing
Local writers Garry Gitzen, Judy Crandall, and Marko Smith at the Self-Publishing Workshop
Local writers got an in-depth look at all the options available for publishing their work. Print-on-demand technology has opened the door for a lot of writers who might otherwise not get their work in print. According to Helen Gallagher, author of Release Your Writing, there are many writing projects that lend themselves very well to the self-publishing model. If you have a very specialized topic that’s aimed at a narrow audience, need the book to establish your professional credentials, have a collection of essays or articles, or want to release a book that has gone out of print, you’ll be well-served to explore your options.
In the past, self-publishing meant you had to contract with a printer on your own and then ended up with a garage full of books to sell. That’s still an option–especially for books where the paper quality or images are especially important. However, now you can upload your book to a variety of print-on-demand publishers and order books just as they’re needed. Several will also make your book available at online retailers and in the databases regular retailers use to order books.
Just because you can easily get your book into print, though, doesn’t mean you can forego important key elements. The cover has to be well-designed and compelling, and solid editing is mandatory. And once your book is available online, it’s all the more important to focus on marketing it.
For more information and resources, go to Helen’s web site www.releaseyourwriting.com, or pick up her book at Ekahni Books in Manzanita.
