Elderberry Press, Inc.

I always ask new writers why they want to publish.

Of course, as a writer myself, I know the answer, but I ask because I want them to analyze their goal for their book to make sure it is realistic and that I can help them achieve it. If they are chasing fantasies, I send them on their way with my best wishes.

Some common reasons to publish are:

• To earn respect… If this is your reason to publish I must dissuade you. Unless you sell a million copies, most non-writers will consider you a pretender, a crank. Publishing will not earn you respect. It is incumbent upon the author to know both himself and the value of his writing, thus freeing himself from the vagaries of public opinion.

• For monetary gain… In this market, I can almost assure you this is a false hope. Ninety percent plus of new books published lose money. Poor odds at best.

• For notoriety, fame… This reason is as poor as the others, for it is dependent upon the reactions of others, and thus upon the caprice of the market, of fashion, of public whim. For goodness sake, don't do that to yourself.

What then, is a realistic reason to publish?

• In my view, only this: the need to close the circle, to communicate, to share, to bring the countless hours of work to closure, to share your vision with the world, maybe even to change the world...these are the goals we share for our books. We want them to compete on an even playing field with the thousands of books published each year. 

If these are your goals for your book, we may have something to talk about.

Why do you have the urge to publish?

Have you thought about it?

You should.