CreateSpace is a self-publishing tool with books on demand service that is a part of the Amazon group. Self publishers don’t have to worry about the need for inventory. Authors send the original file, and when someone purchases the book, it’s created on demand and shipped within a day. The best part – is that books are available to all Amazon users.
Borders has partnered with self-publisher Lulu to launch “Borders Personal Publishing Service”. Self-publishing kiosks (or book vending machines) will be placed in some of its stores. The companies plan to roll out the kiosks initially in 13 stores in 2008 beyond an initial kiosk in an Ann Arbor location. Additionally, the service will also be available online. .
The social networking site, Gather, and self-publishing company, AuthorHouse, have partnered to launch Gather Community Press. The service allows new authors to market their work within a social network. They’ve cleverly put together a self-publishing package that offers complimentary copies of published book (so Authors can send their books to their Gather friends for reviews) , a custom group header and icon for author’s to launch their own Gather group to promote their books. If you have a completed manuscript, act quickly. Writers receive 50,000 ad impressions on Gather if they order their self-publishing package by March 15.
Now the dream of publishing your stories and sharing them with the world may be within reach. But if you’re an aspiring writer interested in taking this publishing route, do keep in mind that self-publishing traditionally puts promotion in the hands of the author. These programs offer the promise that books will reach the public with fewer obstacles, avoiding the deep-rooted publishing world. But now, talented authors have a bigger pile to climb out of. There is a new, accessible distribution system, but it’s still one that requires much hard work and resourcefulness.