Any book can be self-published. There are no editors or traditional publishing company bureaucracies to deal with creating major barriers to entry. This means that there is plenty of room for mediocrity and down right terribly written material. Nonetheless, self-publishing has recently become a popular option for writers with an interest in taking control of the fate of their books.
Self-publishing your book, however, is going to be different! It will be exceptionally written and properly edited before being published…right? Well, let's get started.
Self-publishing is a cost-effective, relatively fast, and higher paying option than standard royalty contracts. This option also lets you maintain control over the entire process. But with all of this control, comes the added responsibility of actually making it happen. In other words, you are responsible for all of the work involved. When you choose to self-publish your book, you are responsible for making sure it's final version is "print ready" and that includes a high-resolution graphic for your book cover.
Now, there are self-publishing companies that offer "one-stop" shopping. They will assist you with editing, formatting, graphic design, and in some instances, they will do everything for you if you submit just your word document. Obviously, the less you do on your end, the more it will cost you for someone else to complete the task for you. Remember, you might be able to find talent friends to partner with who may be able to assist you with some of the required tasks, such as editing and graphics, in an effort to save money.
Essentially, there are a few options available to self-publishers. Those options include utilizing a "Vanity Press" service or a Print-On-Demand Service".
