'Self-publishing is a process whereby the author assumes all the costs and risks of producing a work, either in paper or electronic format.'

The past decade or so has seen a tremendous upheaval in the world of publishing, which has suffered from consolidation and the interest of multinational corporations. There are now fewer major publishing companies, and they concentrate mainly on publishing high volume titles that have a proven track record, or on publishing books by big names. Since 1997 when the Net Book Agreement between publishers and booksellers was ruled illegal, new entrants such as supermarket chains and other non-bookseller stockists have entered the market and now sell books at aggressive prices, further squeezing publishers' margins. The result is that there is less opportunity for unknown and unproven authors to be offered a publishing contract.

So, unless you are very lucky, nowadays the only way to get it out there is to self-publish it.

STOP PRESS: In July 2010, we will be launching our e-Book 'The Practical Guide to Self-Publishing'. Price £1.99. To register your interest in advance, please click here , with email subject heading 'Please Note My Interest in Practical Guide to Self-Publishing.'