Subsidy Publishing and the Art of Self-Delusion

I have never paid to be published, will never pay to be published, and do not recommend that anybody else pay to be published.

But at the same time, authors should do whatever works for them and their chosen career path. If you're comfortable working with Publisher X, and it costs ninety bucks to get your book in print, and that's what you wanna do, fine. If trusted sources say "It's the bestest book EVAH!!!" I'll still buy a copy. When I was President of EPIC, I spearheaded the change of rules that allowed self-and-subsidy published authors to join the organization.

However, I do have to make one comment. (WARNING: There is a very heavy element of "Well, DUH!" in this comment, so if you object to reading blatantly obvious statements, please scroll down and instead read one of my blog entries where I get all pushy about trying to make you buy my new book.)

If you pay a fee for your book to be published, that is subsidy publishing...even if you pay the printer, not the publisher!

Yes, it doesn't matter WHOSE e-mail address you type into PayPal to get your book in print, that is a subsidy publishing arrangement, and no degree of "La la la la la don't invade my happy safe space la la la la la!!!!" will change that.

Alternative methods of publishing are cool. Self-delusion is not.