Publishing as Zombie: Or, When Opportunity Rises From the Dead!

Okay, so it’s been a few weeks since my last post about “the Death of Publishing” and, apparently, publishing ISN’T dead after all.

In fact, what I’ve seen in my travels on Facebook and Twitter, in conversations with clients and colleagues, is that there’s never been a better time TO publish.

That’s because as traditional publishing experiences a sea change at nearly every level, self-publishing and e-publishing are experiencing a true renaissance. I have enjoyed reading dozens of lively takes on the “rebirth” of alternative publishing – though many will take exception to that terminology.

Every day I “meet” new authors on Facebook or Twitter who are without a doubt professional, talented, market savvy, ambitious, cordial, creative, resourceful and, above all, EXCITED about the future of publishing. Most of them have never had a book in print (i.e. hard copy), but are prolific authors of several fantastic-looking eBooks that are on my (early) Christmas shopping list.

All of them are doing what so called “traditional” authors do: promoting themselves, blogging, interacting, networking, writing, writing and more writing. There are sequels in the works, and stories in anthologies, and edits due, and cover art to approve and post and man, are they ever good!

I am daily blown away by the positivity and productivity of these kick-butt authors who rival those of any New York Times bestselling author I’ve ever read, followed or “friend-ed.” Which is not to say that traditional publishing is dead anymore than it is to say that “alternative” publishing is alive; both are plugging away on separate but parallel tracks to the same destination: the future.

How they’ll get there is still anybody’s guess, but after a week or two of doubting, bumming and grousing, I’m more encouraged than ever that publishing, if not print, is alive and strong in the hearts and minds and pages and covers of my new author “friends.”

And if you’re looking to get published in 2010 and beyond, do yourself a favor and consider both traditional and alternative presses as a way to see your work in print, online and, best of all, in the hands of readers.

Yours in publishing,


Rusty