A very useful and authoritative site on vanity publishing, self-publishing, etc

http://www.vanitypublishing.info/index.html

I hope a lot of folk look at this. These days, the real product isn't always apparent, e.g. you think you've won a competition no one else hass heard of, but the truth is the promoters will publish an anthology of any old rubbish as long as you buy a few copies.
I'm just thankful that I've reached the age where I no longer care whether I ever get properly published or not.
P.S. If you're new to this site, don't take for granted that the Google Ads on the left are site sanctioned. Most are businesses wanting your money.

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hass? promoters? tihs spielchucker is brokun.

His definition of self publishing, as opposed to vanity publishing is quite crisp.

simply by definition, self-publishing is not done for you by a third party

I like that.

Colin

Paul53 - You say: "I'm just thankful that I've reached the age where I no longer care whether I ever get properly published or not."

Is it like some old Greek and George Melly said about sex: 'it's like being unchained from a lunatic' ?

Joe (scrabbling for the literary viagra)

Paul53 - You say: "I'm just thankful that I've reached the age where I no longer care whether I ever get properly published or not."

Is it like some old Greek and George Melly said about sex: 'it's like being unchained from a lunatic' ?

Joe (scrabbling for the literary viagra)


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Try: "... George Melly said about the decline of the sex drive: 'it's like being unchained from a lunatic'? "

There's a Writers Guild publication just out that might be of interest: Do it yourself: The UK Writer guide to self-publishing. A comprehensive 12-page guide to the pros and cons of self-publishing published by the Writers' Guild of Great Britain as a supplement to the New Year 2005 edition of its magazine, UK Writer. An invaluable source of information and advice from writers who have actually done it.

£3 non-Guild members, free to Guild members

Detailing the varied experiences of Guild members, this is an invaluable guide for anyone considering taking the self-publishing route.

It covers a wide range of issues including the process of self-publishing; print on demand technology; how much self-publication costs; how much you might earn; how to find a good company; what to be wary of; and the importance of marketing.

The guide is free to Guild members who can obtain a copy by contacting the Guild office. Non-members should send a cheque for £3 payable to the Writers' Guild to: Writers' Guild of Great Britain 15, Britannia Street London WC1X 9JN. Please include a note saying that you would like a copy of the self-publishing supplement and include the address to which you would like it sent. An invaluable guide for anyone considering taking the self-publishing route.

admin@writersguild.org.uk
The Writers' Guild of Great Britain
430 Edgware Road
London
W2 1EH
Tel: 020 7723 8074
Fax: 020 7706 2413

http://www.writersguild.org.uk

JoPo,
So good you said it twice! No longer worrying about fame and fortune IS like being unchained from a lunatic.

Anna,
Self-publishing can be a valid route to wider recognition. Many known names have used it in the past, but those known names who used it successfully in the past doubtless had the quality agents and publishers were looking for, otherwise we would never had heard of them. They also recouped their outlay.

Are there any helpful figures concerning it being a successful stepping-stone available to those who may be considering it?

Further to this, should we raise a cautionary note for those starting out with their craft - namely that a wider readership will not help work that falls short of a basic standard. Unless it leads somewhere, self-publishing remains vanity under another name.

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I mean, of course, that this site should at least save them the £3 to read the booklet.