Is it such a terrible thing to self-publish that novel you've spent hundreds of hours perfecting? Some authors think so. There are those who believe self-publishing is selling out the dream for baubles and beads. Others claim it's a shortcut that's not been earned. I beg to differ.

I chose the self-publishing route because of a desire to get my work to readers in a quick and timely fashion. And it worked! Jazz Baby, my first novel, is available all over the world in print as well as in ebook formats. The downside of this form of publishing is the lack of a big-budget advertising campaign. That's where social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads come in handy.

But not all self-publishers are equal. The cheaper you go, the lower the quality you can expect. I'm reading an excellent self-published novel that suffers from poor punctuation. Without a solid editor to comb through your manuscript, you can expect errors to reach your readers. Some readers might not care--or even notice. Others will, and they'll fault the writer. This will cost that author in the long run.

Sure, even the big publishing houses let slip an error here and there. But online publishers who don't offer professional editing really do the industry a serious disservice. These are the ones who take your money and publish your work, warts and all.

Don't shy away from this wonderful medium. If you're tired of rejection letters, try the indie route. It's a growing industry with a bright future. Just take your time when shopping. Beware of hidden fees, make sure they offer professional editing, and be ready to work your tail off to sell your product to the world. Because writing it is no longer the difficult part of the deal. Letting the world know you wrote it is.

Jazz Baby http://www.tinyurl.com/bbj4my7

Slivers of Life http://www.amazon.com/Slivers-Life-Co...