Self-Publishing, on Purpose -- Anne Marie Cummings

For some, it's a quick, direct way to get their stories told.
From The Stargazette.com
June 28, 2009
By Anne Marie Cummings

"Three-quarters of the people who self-publish are not publishing to be famous. It has to do with leaving something behind for future generations. The same reason why we take photographs," said Tim Renfrow, owner of Kentucky-based Wasteland Press."

Self-publishing doesn't exclude the chances of being picked up by a major publisher, said Carol Schneider, vice president and executive director of publicity and public relations at the Random House Publishing Group, which published 800 titles in 2008. "The average author may not know an agent, or someone at a publishing house," she said, "so self-publishing may be the best thing for them to do. Sometimes, it's the gateway for getting the attention of a major publisher."

A new respect
"Self-published authors are no longer the Rodney Dangerfields of the literary world. They do get respect from agents and publishers," said Richard Pine, a longtime literary agent with InkWell Management in New York City who has represented self-published authors from time to time. "They've overcome their fears, and taken conditions into their own hands," Pine said. "I think more and more self-published authors will establish their own credibility through reviews and demonstrable sales to get the attention of agents and publishers."

"When you self-publish, you get to write the book in a way that makes you happy," Author Poleskie said. "You don't have to deal with some of the nonsense that comes with having an agent. Also, the fast turnaround time is a major plus, and for someone my age, that can be a very, very good thing. I don't need money and fame. I just want people to enjoy reading my books."

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