What about self-publishing?

I don't like un-vetted books, aka self-published books or books printed by so-called vanity presses. I’m aware that this is where much of the publishing world is headed in this digital age. There is a growth industry of firms that will be glad to publish your book, in print or in digital format. Amazon even has such a service.

I laud many aspects of the digital world. But this is one development I see as a big negative.

Every writer needs vetting; every writer needs an editor or two. Read the credits in the prefaces of most published authors and you’ll get the sense that publishing a good book takes a small village. Rightly so.