Do Readers Care if A Book is Self-Published?

I have a different definition of self-publishing.

Over the years I have developed projects on my own, notably seminar workbooks, audio seminars, and videos. I rented studio space, used a producer/editor, whom I also compensated, and I handled every detail of product layout, printing and promotion.

I decided exactly how many copies to produce, brochure copy for direct mailing, pricing, and so on.

Occasionally, I've encountered some technical difficulties, but on balance, the physical products have been decent to quite presentable. I would say they are on par with what outside publishers have done for me, vis a vis quality.

To me, the attraction of self-publishing has always been speed-to-market. Most titles and projects are rather perishable. In conventional publishing, the gestation period is far too long, to write a proposal, shop the title, negotiate contracts, go through the editing process, and finally see a product on a bookstore's shelf. The best case scenario is about a year, in my experience, and then one's time is devoted to endless interviews, if you are a good publicist.

My last two books have become audio programs, published by a respected, 50 year young, outside firm. Their speed to market is half or less that of traditional book publishers.

This week, I declined to submit a book proposal to a conventional publisher, though I had successfully queried it and my agent was keen to follow-through.

If my treatment is to be a book, I'll probably publish it, electronically. If it sells, then I might pitch it for print.

Ultimately, just as I find myself saying to people, "I was talking with someone, yesterday" when I wasn't talking at all, I was emailing, I think we'll see the distinctions between self-published, e-books and conventional volumes, blur.

"What is a book?" and "Who is an author?" and "What is a publisher?"

These questions will only get us so far.

I prefer those we used to ask when I worked in sales and sales management at Time-Life Books:

"How can we increase book readership?" and "How can we make it nearly effortless for them to try new titles, without risk?"

The success of e-books and the relative decline of conventional printings may end up hinging on a small "process value" that is being overlooked, yet is important to readers.

Though I buy numerous books, and I love the feel, look, and even fragrance of them, I am so used to being able to ENLARGE THE FONT SIZE AT WILL ON THE WEB, that I find it frustrating to not be able to do so, without a Kindle or similar reader.

Ultimately, I suspect readers will be less inclined to judge a book based on whether it has a cover, or based on who published it.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top speaker, sales, service, and negotiation consultant, attorney, TV and radio commentator and the best-selling author of 12 books. He conducts seminars and speaks at convention programs around the world. His new audio program is Nightingale-Conant's "Crystal Clear Communication: How to Explain Anything Clearly in Speech & Writing." His web site is: http://www.customersatisfaction.com and he can be contacted at gary@customersatisfaction.com.