The ways of publishing are changing, and it is probably mostly a good thing.

The "traditional" way is to find an agent who finds you a publisher, and the Powers That Be accept you / your work. Yeah...It's nice to be deemed acceptable by the cliques in power. I had enough of that in school, thank you very much. Still....If a writer can get that route to work, more power to them....Literally. I mean, the money will be huge, and their recognition and cred will be sky high.

However, a newer way to publish is opening up, and I, as well as other new writers, can now have the luxury of by-passing the red tape and chains of command involved with scoping out and being deemed worthy by a literary agent or publishing house. This may also be the only way to fly with such a tight economy that says that no matter how incredibly fabulous my work as a novelist is, no one can afford to represent me because no business has the money to pay me.

I can self pub...Basically make my own book, pay to have everything just the way I want...and then go market it myself. No commissions...but I would be paying for the books as they are printed and bound. It's more like being an independent contractor, I guess.

I can also e-pub...or is it i-pub? Either way, it's basically pubbing a downloadable book for people's Nooks, phones, iPads, Kindles or whatever electronic reading device.

How does an author sign one of those at a book signing?

Anyway, I have some choices to make about how I want my book to be born. I figure I will give it the traditional way till about October. I have sent it off to about 12 places. If I get rejections or no feedback at all, I may then consider the e-pub route by the Holidays.

Before I publish in any form, I do need to find out about legal issues in regard to writing about real folks...Even if I do change some names and or add in / modify or cut some characters. Some people will figure it out anyway. This is when an agent's expertise would be helpful...Sorta like if you sold your home on your own, (FSBO-style), vs. listing your property w a company that can cover your legal ass.

However I choose to go, I want to make good and safe decisions. I want to feel proud of my work yet not feel too hindered artistically and look obvious that I held back.

What do you think?

P.