self publishing

Self-publishing has become a catch-all term that can be used to describe vanity publishing, subsidy publishing or independent ("indie") publishing.

A vanity publisher will accept any manuscript submitted to it and turn that manuscript into a book via its own editing, packaging and manufacture processes, all of which are offered to the author for a fee. The author must commit to buying a minimum quantity of the resulting book. Usually, the author must sign over some or all of her rights to the work being published for a fixed term as well. The vanity publisher may also offer ebook or audiobook production services, book distribution and marketing services on a fee basis.

Subsidy publishing is virtually identical to vanity publishing, except that subsidy publishers have a manuscript selection process and some subsidy outfits do not require the author to sign over future publication rights.

Indie publishing is used to describe the activities of individual authors or author collectives who essentially act as their own publishers. Editing, cover design, typesetting, printing, distribution and other services are hired by the indie publisher as needed, but the indie publisher himself manages the entire process and retains all rights to his work.

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “self publishing”

• Rants and Raves

  
  Chip MacGregor .com — Authority: 518
  Rave: I just got back from our first-even "Fiction Marketing Seminar." We held it in Dallas with a half-dozen novelists, and we had a GREAT time. Everyone found it helpful, and our brainstorming with authors about how they can help promote their own novels more effectively was the highlight of the weekend. Thanks for ...
  3 hours ago

• Everything You Thought You Knew is Wrong

  
  Guy LeCharles Gonzalez // loudpoet — Authority: 406
  Earth time. by A National Acrobat And this is what surprises me. Harlequin, you’re brilliant. You’ve made nothing but all the right steps in all these decades of publishing. You flourish where others founder. You took a great (welcome) leap with Carina, but this? This displays the business sense of a ...
  12 hours ago

• If Abraham had been a writer…

  
  Rediscovering the Church — Authority: 424
  This last week there has been quite a lot of controversy about the growing number of publishers who are starting self-publishing arms to their businesses and the effect that may have on the book industry as a whole. As I read the different opinions on both sides, such as an agent’s opinion from  Rachelle ...
  18 hours ago

• Writers, money and the web (part one): taking control

  
  Lisa Dempster — Authority: 117
  There is so much about the way the current technological tsunami is affecting the publishing industry that is hopeful for writers – and also a fair bit that is scary. One worrying example is how digital publishing models seem increasingly geared towards not paying writers. The Punch , for example, does not pay ...
  1 day ago

• Definitions for the Perplexed: Self Publishing

  
  Editorial Anonymous — Authority: 562
  Janet Reid has done a fine job of covering the Harlequin brouhaha , so I neednt go over it again here. And the SFWA has helpfully delineated the differences between vanity, subsidy, and self-publishing. Let me just get this out of the way: Theres nothing wrong with self-publishing. Not intrinsically. And a very ...
  1 day ago

• Savvy Internet Business Leaders Have Discovered That Publishing and Marketing a Book Is a Good Investment Of Their Money

  
  My Unique Content — Authority: 139
  A Special ONLINE MARKETING AFFILIATE REVENUE Report: From One Gutsy Internet Work At Home Professional to Another During a recession like this, finding new ways to increase profits is always the most rewarding experience for smart corporate executive. (...)
  1 day ago

• My Final Comments on Self-Pub

  
  Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent — Authority: 618
  First of all, I want to reiterate that I absolutely love all the conversation yesterdays post inspired. This is why I blog - to have an interactive experience, and to be able to engage with the writing and publishing community. Its invaluable to hear all your perspectives, regardless of whether I agree or disagree (or ...
  2 days ago

• Responding to Self Publishing

  
  Chip MacGregor .com — Authority: 518
  Last month I talked about self-publishing, and today Mike Hyatt, the President of Thomas Nelson, asked, "Why are agents so opposed to self-publishing?" As an agent, who really isnt opposed at all to self-pubbing, I thought it was worth a revisit to my post. If you want to read Mikes original blog, you can go here:  ...
  2 days ago

• Write, Share, Publish and Sell Your Books With FastPencil

  
  Tech Blog of Global and Indian Companies: Gajeebo — Authority: 482
  FastPencil is an online publishing platform that enables writers to create their books online, share their work with a trusted network of friends and professionals. This service also let them publish books on demand as hardcover, paperback or e-books. FastPencil FeaturesThe first step, after registration, is to create ...
  2 days ago

• Friday Funnies

  
  Pub Rants — Authority: 634
  STATUS: I’m done for the night. What’s playing on the iPod right now? LANDSLIDE by Dixie Chicks Considering all the chatter over the last two days, today has been relatively quiet. SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) did issue a statement. You can find that here . Also, the Ashley Grayson agency ...
  2 days ago

• My take on self-pub/Harlequin Horizons/vanity presses, etc

  
  Trivial Pursuits — Authority: 430
  For my readers following the 30 Day contest, winners names will be posted in the next day or so. Most romance writers have probably heard about the deal with Harlequin.  They’ve opened a self-publishing arm, called Harlequin Horizons. (we’ll call it HHz here, because it’s easier.) I don’t like it. ...
  2 days ago

• “Just Wait Until Self-Pubbing Becomes the Norm.”

  
  Oz and Ends — Authority: 128
  Yet more quoting of what the brave new world of publishing might look like, this time from literary agent Rachelle Gardner : If you think the published books are bad now, just wait until self-pubbing becomes the norm. Holy cow. Folks, you don’t see an agent’s daily slush pile. Sure, some of it is good. But let ...
  3 days ago

• The Harlequin Dust-Up And What It Means For Writers

  
  Fan To Pro - The Blog of Professional Geekery — Authority: 136
  Harlequin created some waves this week when they announced that they are starting a self-publishing division, Harlequin Horizons. The books arent going to be considered officially Harlequin novels, but the company said they are considering it a training ground for new authors. However, this announcement was followed ...
  3 days ago

• Why Agents May Be Opposed to Self-Publishing

  
  Michael Hyatts Blog — Authority: 563
  As you may have read, earlier this week Harlequin announced that it has formed a new self-publishing division called Harlequin Horizons with Author Solutions . This is similar to the announcement we made several weeks ago about WestBow Press . This has created quite a stir on the Internet. Photo courtesy ...
  3 days ago

• Trouble on the Harlequin Horizon

  
  A Writer's Life — Authority: 530
  Author Jackie Kessler has done an excellent analysis of Harlequins self-publishing venture...and all the reasons its deceptive and bad for writers. Its a must-read. She quotes extensively from the Harlequin Horizons FAQ. This particular excerpt infuriated me: "1. What is Harlequin Horizons?  Self-publishing is ...
  3 days ago

• Harlequin Backtracks On Name of Paid-Publishing Imprint After Backlash

  
  POD, Self Publishing and Independent Publishing — Authority: 424
  Continued pressure from US writers’ organisations and publisher watchdogs has resulted in Harlequin announcing that it is to change the name of its new paid-publishing venture, Harlequin Horizons , launched this week in partnership with Author Solutions . Yesterday, Preditors & Editors changed ...
  4 days ago

• Harlequin News Flash

  
  Pub Rants — Authority: 634
  STATUS: Sara’s first day back in the office. Totally fun. What’s playing on the iPod right now? SHAKE THE DISEASE by Depeche Mode This just in (literally five seconds ago) from Donna Hayes, CEO of Harlequin. Harlequin was very surprised and dismayed to receive notice late yesterday that the RWA has decided ...
  4 days ago

• Writing Workshops and Self-Publishing Offered at Aangen Community Centre

  
  Donna Magazine — Authority: 130
  Hello everyone in Toronto! Please check out this site and scroll to the bottom for workshops I will be offering starting on February 21st and happening once a month. Here is the link: http://www.aangen.com/workshops.asp . Join in the fun!
  4 days ago

• Your comment is awaiting moderation.

  
  Alessia Brio's fine flickering hungers — Authority: 104
  I left a comment on Allison Brennans post about Harlequin Horizons over at Murder She Writes . Several comments have appeared after mine, yet mine is still awaiting moderation . Well, I dont feel like waiting to chime in, so Im *ahem* self-publishing it. (And, because I can whore my work on my own blog, Ive added ...
  4 days ago

• Harlequin Horizons, What’s In It For You

  
  Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary — Authority: 140
  Q: I’m a reader and I’ve heard about Harlequin Horizons but I don’t know what it is or what it means for me. Harlequin Horizons is a self publishing or vanity press where aspiring authors pay to have their books published and put into stores, whether it is a physical retail location like your local Borders or ...
  4 days ago

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