Books published through vanity publishers seldom make a profit. This process is mainly to stroke an “author’s” vanity, so they can say they were published — and not self-published.
The Offensive Stereotype
Too often, I have heard people use “self-publishing” as a derogatory remark, even though self-publishers can make more than traditionally published authors. (It makes me want to pick up drinking again.)
I’ve also heard authors say “mainstream publishing” to delegitimize self-publishing.
Please, if you’re reading this, be a part of the solution. Self-publishing is a perfectly viable career path. Self-published authors have not sold out or given up on “real” publishing.
No offense to traditionally published authors (unless you were a beneficiary of nepotism, in which case, congratulations on perpetuating the cruelest unfairnesses in life), but there’s a reason that traditional publishing companies are dying.
It’s because they refused to adapt. It’s because they operate on an outdated sales approach. It’s because they value author marketability over quality of the book. It’s because self-publishing is simply more modern.
