The History of Self-Publishing: From DIY to Digital Revolution

Introduction

Many writers and authors, like myself, are self-published. Today, self-publishing is very popular for writers because there are many platforms to choose from like Amazon, IngramSpark, Lulu, and Apple, to name a few. These platforms break down the barrier of entry compared to being traditionally published. Every writer should consider self-publishing even though it can be expensive or daunting. It's a great way to showcase work. One of the most challenging aspects is marketing, which is something that I am still learning. It is an easy way for writers to share their work and launch their careers. This post will discuss the origins of self-publishing and how it affects the writing industry.

Origins

The history of self-publishing is vast and hard to trace the origins to a specific date. However, there are records showing that self-publishing was happening in the 17th century. One notable example of this was John Milton’s "Areopagitica." "Areopagitica" was a pamphlet published in 1644 in response to the 1643 licensing order which stated the government had to approve every published work. Even though the licensing orders lasted for fifty years, Milton expressing his freedom of speech has paved the way for many other self-published writers. In 1843 Charles Dickens was not satisfied with his previous work with his publishers and decided to self-publish "A Christmas Carol". He sold 6,000 copies, making the novel an instant hit. However, Dickens’s book was designed with beautiful illustrations and bindings which cost him a lot. As a result, he barely broke even. In recent years, there have been many self-published works that have had mainstream success and got picked up by publishers. Examples of these include Robert Kiyosaki’s "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."

The Printing Press

Before the printing press, it was difficult to make and produce books. Before that, books were expensive to make because they were copied by hand. Even before the printing press, wooden blocks were used in 6th-century China. The Gutenberg press allowed for books to be mass-produced and increased. It influenced writers to be able to publish their own works without needing funding from elites or publishing houses. It cut production costs in half and helped increase literacy by providing books for people who did not have access to them. Writers were now able to produce works that were for many different audiences instead of elites. There was an increase in works of different genres from fiction and political commentary, to religious works. It allowed individuals the freedom to express their opinions on various topics. It also catalyzed advancements in printing technology. Following the printing press were the rotary press, offset printing, linotype machine, laser printer, and 3D printing.

Digital Revolution

The advancements in technology have increased the number of writings that are self-published. Twenty years ago, iPhones and Kindle ceased to exist. It's hard to imagine a world without these devices and how they impact the publishing world. Self-published works now make up around 30-34 percent of all ebook sales. This trend increased in 2007, with the release of the Kindle. This allowed writers to move past gatekeepers and publish books that were not deemed good enough by publishers. In 2011-2013, self-published authors could release books with little to no marketing and make a good profit. This is unlike how it is today, which requires a lot of self-promotion and advertising. By 2014, 30 percent of all book sales were self-published.

Conclusion

Self-publishing is a great way for writers to share their work. We no longer have to rely on publishing houses. Many well-known writers have self-published their work and shown us that it can be successfully done. Self-publishing has changed over the years due to technology, but the overall intent is the same: a way to show your work and connect with others.

"Milton's Areopagitica: Summary, Analysis & Quiz" from Study.com

"Just Do It Yourself: A History of Self-Publishing" from Publishers Weekly

A Brief History of Printing" from Pixartprinting

"Facts and Figures About Self-Publishing: The Impact and Influence of Indie Authors" from Self-Publishing Advice