If you write articles for Ezines you might think publishing a full-length book is not in your future. Think again. Your knowledge and enthusiasm about a subject of interest to a host of readers might be just what a book publisher is looking for. A financial expert for example, has a niche audience. A racing car aficionado has a niche audience. Horticulture professionals and wine connoisseurs have loyal insatiable readers. If you write in one or two genres, you might be a candidate for publishing a collection of your articles. Experience has taught us: (1) proficient writers do not always write successful books; (2) inexperienced writers often create best sellers.

If you're considering publishing a book, you'll have to be knowledgeable about how to do it. In the area of self-publishing, subsidy, print-on-demand or vanity publishers are no longer "the new kids on the block," although they continue to butt heads with the traditional big house publishing trade. It's important to understand the fundamental differences between the two, and within the various self-publishers. If you want to maintain complete control of your book including copyrights, you're probably a candidate for self-publishing, though some subsidy publishers do differ on copyrights. You might recognize the following authors who began their careers self-publishing, flying solo by the seats of their pants.

Robert James Waller, The Bridges of Madison County,
- James Redfield
- The Celestine Prophecy, Dr. Wayne Dyer,
- Your Erroneous Zone, Richard Paul Evans,
- The Christmas Box,
- John Grisham,
- A Time To Kill

Kind of like the old door-to-door salesmen who pitched everything from vacuum cleaners to the Bible, some of these authors drove around the country with boxes of books in the back of the car. If you've ever listened to Wayne Dyer speak, you know that convincing speakers sell themselves. Starting out small with book signings, talks, local media and through word of mouth, these authors eventually sold thousands of copies. When books started flying off the shelves, the big houses took notice. They offered attractive contracts to the authors for reprint rights and republished the books under their own trade names.

Today there are many more subsidy publishers vying for your attention. Some have good reputations; others have been cited for shady practices. For a hefty price, some will do all kinds of stuff for you: supply an editor, design book jackets and printed marketing products like bookmarks, business cards and post cards (most of which you don't need); print news releases, provide electronic media contacts. Others are bare bones for less money. For certain, you must be willing to bust your chops by spending your own time and money to market your book. Considering the price of a tank of gas or airline ticket today, the travel alone can bust your budget with no guaranteed results.

Ask yourself these pertinent questions:

-If you think your writing is good "enough," would you pay for an experienced editor before printing your book?

-Are you comfortable speaking to an audience of strangers?

-Are you prepared to spend thousands of dollars for a professional looking product?

-Did you thoroughly research the publisher for possible fraudulent practices?

-When your book reaches bookstore shelves, will your POD/subsidy publisher allow it to be returned if unsold? Some publishers charge exorbitant fees up front for their return policy.

-Can you get your book reviewed? Most media will not review self-published books. Of the zillions of books traditionally published each year, the odds of a self-published book being reviewed by a notable reviewer are zero.

Publishers Weekly columnist Paul Nathan disagrees. Reading his Web page will encourage the novice. But in general, prominent reviewers simply do not have time for self-published books because they are rarely professionally edited.

The big three subsidy publishers are iUniverse, AuthorHouse, Xlibris. You will find them and others on the Web. A good place to start gathering information about them and what they do differently is to read Morris Rosenthal's "Subsidy Press Questions" on line. If you do your research carefully you should know exactly what you are getting for your money. Keep in mind that you become the marketer and you do the legwork. If you are not able to sell several thousand copies of your book, no traditional publisher will offer you a contract. If all you want from the process is to see your book in print for family and friends, none of the above matters. When going for the gold, consider the following alternative.

Traditional Publishing. Once a traditional publishing house accepts your manuscript, they will not charge you a penny for their services. Besides providing you with a professional editor, printing, and artwork etc., they will get you reviewed and interviewed, book signings and media appearances. If your editor is gung-ho about your book, he or she will open doors where there were none. Nevertheless, even with the full weight and prestige of the publisher, the author must work hard to sell the book. And that's the secret to getting published. Hard Work.

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