Vanity Presses in Sheep’s Clothing

I’ve self-published a few books (some more successful than others) and even though I may not have a best seller out there I’m pretty happy selling a few hundred books or so, building a following, and if it takes me years to build toward that best seller, then so be it. If I don’t become

Vanity vs. Self-Publishing: Is There a Difference?

There is definitely a stigma about using a “vanity press” or a publishing house that charges big bucks (usually) to publish a book that an author has written.  For years, a “vanity press” has been seen by industry leaders as a press that will publish anyone at all who has enough money, particularly people who

“The Write Deal” Publishes E-Books… But With a Catch

Today e-publisher “The Write Deal” announced that it would be launching its self-publishing program entitled “Blue Leaf” later this month which is an editor selected offering of new and unpublished e-book authors. You can read about it here. I see an immediate pro and con of this new program: Pro: Authors who are selected to be

The Amazing Amanda Hocking

Listening to NPR yesterday in the car I heard a story about Amanda Hocking, the best selling e-novelist who is now a $2 million signed author.  I was encouraged by her amazing story. Amanda is a high school grad with some community college courses under her belt who is from a small town and did

Self Publishing: A High School English Teacher’s Observation

I just finished reading David Gaughran’s post about the self-publishing industry as of last year 2011: The Self-Publishing Year In Review and was nodding my head with every paragraph. It’s true, folks.  The publishing industry is definitely changing.  Go ahead and read David’s thought provoking and very detailed article, and then come back and read what

Warning: Self Publishers Beware!

I received another e-mail today from a vanity press which shall remain nameless.  I published my first book through them about two years ago and since then have learned several lessons about self-publishing that I would like to pass on any budding novelist who is considering walking down the vanity press route. The e-mail I