No longer so pissed off


I’ve rethought my position as the self-anointed and self-appointed Guardian of Language.



For two years, I expended a lot of effort and a lot of words attacking the term “self-publishing company.” I criticized companies that used the label, pointing out that it MADE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE, because no person or company can self-publish someone else -- just as no one can self-educate, self-immolate or self-medicate someone else.



For better or for worse, the meanings and implications of words do change -- and I can’t stop the changes. At one time, a “girl” could be a boy. Now, “bad” can mean good. “Hot” and “cool” can mean the same thing. Many people -- and media including The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly  and Writer’s Digest -- use the term “self-publishing company.” There’s not much point in my continuing to bang my head against an unyielding concrete wall. Or to pee into the wind.



THEREFORE, I will no longer debate the semantics and illogic of “self-publishing company” -- but I will continue to let people know which companies lie, produce substandard books, overcharge customers or do a bad job promoting books.



MAYBE, there’s really not a heck of a lot of difference between writers who hire separate designers, editors and publicists -- and writers who get all of their services in a convenient package from one source.



HOWEVER, there can be a big difference in those writers’ books. For those willing to gain the knowledge and expend the effort, independent self-publishing can be extremely rewarding, and can produce better books. This book will help.