Self publishing your own book is 1 from the publishing industry's dirty little secrets. Mainstream publishers, editors, and authors very easily dismiss self publishing and print on demand publishing as a rip-off for both the writer and reader. After all, if the writer was a actual writer then they could find a actual publisher, right? That has been the conventional wisdom for a long time but in today's modern, technological society that conventional wisdom doesn't constantly hold true. So who should think about self publishing?
Actual writers should consider self publishing. Published authors often find themselves placed in a prison of their personal making. Once they have achieved even modest success in a specific niche it is frequently hard to break out of that niche and publish something different. However self publishing gives authors control more than their personal writing so they can change direction or genre if they select. Published authors who've taken some time off from their writing often find it just as difficult to return as it was to break in initially.
They can frequently very easily parlay their experience and audience into a successful self publishing career. Finally, writers who have an idea that does not fit neatly into 1 of the major publishing houses slots might discover self publishing their only alternative. Just because it doesn't fit into a neat slot doesn't mean your book doesn't have excellent potential -- believe about Diana Gabaldon and J.K. Rowling.
Manage freaks should also consider self publishing. Once you sign your baby more than to a major publisher then you lose control of your publication. The publisher can slap a horrible or inappropriate cover on it, change its name, or even alter the main characters. Your name will go on the book but what is published might be drastically changed from your original creation--and not constantly for the much better. Think it won't happen to you, or that you won't care as lengthy as you get the royalty check, then believe again. I can tell you that I still cringe whenever I have to claim a book I published in 1998. It's not the publication that makes me wish to crawl under a rock--but the cover and title the publisher slapped on it.
Money grubbers ought to also consider self publishing. Whilst the independently wealthy may consider their art reward enough the rest of us require to eat and pay the mortgage (not to mention buy paper and pens) so cash does matter. And of course, we want all our difficult work to be rewarded. In our capitalist society that reward should be monetary. Whilst self publishing might require you to put up some of your cash and conventional publishing will instead provide you an upfront payment, the final balance sheet will tell you a significantly various story. The initial advance from a traditional publisher is going to be small (unless you are Stephen King) and may be the only cash you receive for your book for a long time -- and possibly ever depending how your publication sells. Any book royalties you get will be for a little percentage and will be spread out more than years to come as well as held ransom for publication returns. The final indignity is that your book's sales depend greatly on the promotional effort your publisher puts into it. The ugly truth is that the publisher doesn't significantly care about your baby and will rarely put any extra cash, manpower, or thought into how to promote your book. Most midlist and lowlist authors conduct (and foot the bill for) their own promotion. At least when you self publish you know you will be on your own and you can factor that into your budget.
If you're a real writer, a manage freak, or a money grubber (or perhaps some combination) then you ought to consider self publishing your own book.
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