50 Shades of Self Publishing

10 Apr 2012

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First-time author E.L. James was offered $5 million dollars last month for the movie rights to her self-published novel, Fifty Shades of Grey. This self published trilogy has taken off in print and in e-book form.

The novel's success may also have something to do with our collective love of the underdog. The publishing history of Fifty Shades of Grey is a rags-to-riches story. But in America we have had so many self made, self publishers, Mark Twain among them.

Self-publishing success stories are an American tradition, one in which the revolutionary/genius/outsider triumphs. From Stephen Day in 1640 who used the first printing press to publish editions of the Bay Psalm Book to Ben Franklin’s self-published paperbound pamphlet Poor Richard's Almanac. And in 1776, Thomas Paine self published "Common Sense," that sold over 500,000 copies and helped start the American Revolution.
 
Self-published authors are the literary equivalent of self-made men and women.  Self-publishing serves as an alternative to the sluggish world of mainstream publishing.

These "author-services companies" don't offer publishing deals, advances, or publicity agents because there's no inventory and no investment. It's all done via the internet, which allows publishers to print copies of books per request.

Self-publishing offers anyone with a manuscript the opportunity to publish. Interested in self-publishing? Contact The Country Press.

Excerpts from The Atlantic

PUBLISHERS

Publishers

Are you late with titles for the current season? Are you trying to make that upcoming book show? Do you need dependability? Where do you need your books shipped to? Look no further than Country Press.

UNIVERSITIES

Universities

Country Press has a long history of supplying printed material to our nations Universities and Colleges. If any one or more of the following scenarios apply, we are the one to turn to.

SELF-PUBLISHERS

Self-Publishers

Self-Publishing can be a virtual minefield if you are not careful. To make this an efficient process and successful endeavor you need to understand some of the “Basics” of Publishing and the definition of Self-Publishing.

TOWN/GOVERNMENT

Town/Government

We have been assisting Cities and Towns throughout New England in the design and production of their Annual Town Reports and Warrants. We offer a full range of services from typesetting, design, manufacturing and delivery.