At the request of my wife, I’m writing this post to outline just a few thoughts on why and how I choose to self-publish my creative works. I’ll also address the most common objections to self-publishing, and why I think they’re not good enough reasons to keep people from enjoying your art and craft!

Philosophical Considerations

I’m coming at this from a distinct philosophical viewpoint that you may or may not agree with. Regardless of where you stand on these issues, I hope knowing where I’m coming from will help you examine some of your own views on why you make art.

• I believe that art is bigger than our own desires for self-expression. Although it can be cathartic to get your feelings out on the page, canvas, or note-sheet, I think that ultimately most of us want to share our craft, the fruit of our longings, and outpourings of our souls. Sure, there will be things we create just for ourselves, but I think so much good is done when we share our creative output. It’s good and desirable to engage (and thus, possibly change) the world through our art. Art can only be a blessing to others when it is shared.
• I do not believe that an artist has a fundamental right to be compensated for their effort. Obviously if the artist is contracted or commissioned, they should get paid. An artist certainly has a right to seek to get paid as well by selling their art, speaking at events, or whatever. Nevertheless, an artist (even a really good one) doesn’t deserve to be compensated any more than a mechanic (even a really good one) would if no one wanted to buy the cars he was building. The fact that an artist creates does not necessitate on any moral, ethical, or philosophical grounds that the artist make money from it.

Why I Self-Publish

The reason I self publish is derived totally from the two points above. I self-publish because I would rather share my art with as many people as possible, and make just a little money, than hold out for an unlikely big publishing deal and in process, hoard what I’ve created and make no money!

History has proven that getting big publishing deals in print or music is largely related to two factors: industry connections andindustry exposure. Sometimes the deal can ride on one of those things, but most of time, you’ll need both. Most of us have few connections in any kind of publishing, but a sure way to get some is get some exposure. The very best way to do that is to get your work into the hands of those that like it, and make it easy for them to share it with others.

How I Self Publish

There are plenty of tutorials and guides out there on the Internet. Try searching “How to self-publish [insert “novel,” “play,” “album,” or whatever here].” Suffice it to say, I use free, awesome, and easy to use tools. Here are couple cool places for you to check out:

• Lulu.com for all kinds of print project and physical materials, as well as ebooks.
• Bandcamp.com for digital music and physical albums.

Don’t forget to share your stuff with people using tools you already use—Facebook, Twitter, your blog.

Common Objections to Self-Publishing

• “I won’t make any money.” If money is your primary motivator for making art, then I would recommend you find another business. Otherwise, see “Why I Self-Publish” above.
• “People will steal my work.” People will steal your work if you have a publishing deal, and the’ll steal it if you don’t. Time and time again, history has shown that anti-copying methods just don’t work. People that want to use your work without your permission will. You have to have faith that most people will respect your copyright and will use your work within the bounds of fair use. Document everything so you can show that you created the work first. I strongly recommend licensing your work with Creative Commons, which provides a legal framework for you to retain ownership of your work while providing opportunities for people to share it with others.

Now go publish your masterpiece!

Is it right for others to make money off my hard work, my creativity? It doesn’t seem like it. Nevertheless, these words from Thomas Jefferson got me thinking:

If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea, which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession of every one, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it. Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because every other possesses the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

So if someone takes the art I create (but still have a copy of…e.g., music) have I really been robbed?