This week's focus:

As technology makes self-publishing easier than ever before, numerous companies have cropped up that use suspect marketing approaches to gain new business. Some of their claims prey on the emotional dreams of aspiring writers to gain business. For instance, these companies will make statements, such as "become a published author" or "get published this year." To an unsuspecting author, these ads can seem appealing.

However, the truth is that self-publishing does NOT make anyone a published author. The only way a writer can be considered a legitimately published author is when they are paid an advance by a publishing house to create and distribute their book. In contrast, when the author has to pay their own money to get a book produced, that is self-publishing.

Why do I tell you this? It's not because I'm against self-publishing. I self-published my first book in 2002 before all of the new technological tools we enjoy today were available. Self-publishing is a great option for authors who write books for a narrow niche, already own an audience, or need a way to quickly create spin-off resources. Self-publishing will continue to grow and improve. But, it's not equal to traditional publishing. This point is proven by how so many successful self-published authors, such as William Paul Young, Amanda Hocking, and myself, all went on to sign contracts with traditional publishing houses.

I'm talking about this issue because paying someone else to make your book does not make you a published author. Just like paying someone else to get married wouldn't make you a real husband or wife. So, when these self-published companies make emotional appeals to help you become a published author, they're not giving you the full picture. As a self-published author, you will remain at a distinct disadvantage in the following ways:

1. Readers still view most self-published books with skepticism, because they wonder, "If there are hundreds of publishers in America, why couldn't you convince one of them that your book was good enough to publish?"

2. Bookstores will not carry self-published books on their shelves. So, self-published authors will struggle to get national distribution that they really need. And, don't tell me that having a self-published book on Amazon or B&N.com is enough. That's narrow-minded thinking, because online retailers only make up a minority of the total book-selling pie. Why severely limit yourself?

3. The majority of self-published books that I see still look homemade and substandard, including those coming from the so-called market leading companies in self-publishing. They contain dreadful covers, bad editing, unprofessional page layouts, and hard-to-read content. You would think that the self-publishing industry would try to prevent these occurrences, but that's not the case.

I'm glad self-publishing is here to stay. But, don't confuse self-publishing with being a published author. Until retail bookstores gladly carry self-published books on their shelves, which won't happen anytime soon, there will always be a distinct difference between the two options. If you want to be considered a legitimate author, continue pursuing the traditional publishing route. That road may be harder, more time-consuming, and laced with rejection, but that's true for most of the things in life that are truly worth it. 

Upcoming Opportunities:

The WildFire Author University

We're getting close! I only need 10 more authors to register in order to launch my new instructional opportunity on March 1st called the WildFire Author University. Participants in this unique program will enjoy the following instruction over the next year:

• One, 45-minute, personal phone call with me per month.
• Free access to my monthly teleconference sessions and downloads.
• Free copy of my new book and all new author resources that I create.
• Access a private forum where I answer your questions and you interact with authors. Learn best practices from me and your peers.  

I won't launch this new program unless at least 20 people enroll by March 1st. I've got 10 on the list, so another 10 will make it happen. If you're interested, let me know before time runs out. The enrollment cost is only $2,399 for a whole year (less than $200 a month), which is due up-front. Send an email to: rob@startawildfire.com or call 1-800-267-2045 and say "I'd like to enroll in the WildFire Author University." For more details, click here.

This Wednesday - February 22nd at 8:00pm ET:

Teleconference Session: "O Reader, Where Art Thou?"

You've written a book, but how do you find readers for it? Wise authors market smarter, not harder. This happens by focusing your promotion on readers who are most likely to purchase your book and spread word of mouth. Join Rob on this teleconference call and discover how to identify, locate, and connect with your target audience.

Click here to register today and save over 15% before February 22nd.

Additional Resources for Authors: