Saturday, November 29, 2008

Publishing

Just some thoughts on publishing my book: The World Perceived. I am thinking about self publishing through Amazon's CreateSpace print-on-demand book service. There are several reasons for why I am exploring this option: 1) it's my first book, 2) I don't have the academic credentials normally required by publishers in order to write this kind of book, 3) I have control over the design and layout of the book (including the use of footnotes, which I prefer over endnotes.

The downside of POD self publishing is mainly the distribution factor, or the book's lack of availability in the major bookstores. The book would be on Amazon, but that's the only place one could find and purchase it. Besides the fact that a writer is not considered "published" unless the book is published by a publishing house. But at least a POD book is in print and available, which is why I am considering the Createspace option. Plus, I can sell the book as a POD book and I still get to keep the rights to my work. With the subject matter of my book being as obscure as it is (the book is subtitled: A Theological and Phenomenological Approach to Thinking, Perceiving, and Living In-The-World) a publisher would not be looking at a runaway bestseller.

I'm actually enjoying doing the layout for the book myself, and CreateSpace managed to print me a proof copy of the book which looks just as I designed it to look (mistakes and all). I will probably go the POD route, although I haven't decided yet. Let me know what you think.