A b o u t     U s

Bitterne Books is a small publisher set up by an experienced author and editor as a means of promoting self-publishing.

The bad news is that authors are finding it ever harder to secure an agent and a publisher for their books. Failure to do this often leads to a feeling of despondency and loss of the will to continue into print.

The good news by far outweighs the bad news. The good news is that there are more routes than ever for the new or specialist author to find a way into print. Some of these routes involve small publishers and others involve self-publishing. It is important to realise that over-priced estimates from publishers to print large numbers (hundreds or even thousands) of a particular book before the author has any guarantees from booksellers or other outlets, are probably what is generally known as Vanity publishing and, in the interests of the author, are best avoided. Self-publishing can take the form of Print on Demand, which entails printing of single or small numbers of copies at a time, only when there is a specific order. These tend to push up the price per copy, but avoid a big bill and a box full of unsold books in the attic or corner of a bedroom.

The Internet is a good way to publicise books. A book which interests no mass publishers may be of high quality, written for a small market. Some poetry collections and books in minority languages are examples of books for specialist readerships.

Bear in mind the important principle that on the whole authors are interested primarily in the quality of what they write. Mass publishers, and book agents, are fundamentally interested in making a profit. Publishers and agents may protest about this, and there are no doubt some noble exceptions to whom apologies are due, but in general terms it is a statement rooted in commercial reality. Smaller publishing and self-publishing are suitable means for the author interested in sustaining the quality of writing to continue into print, by whatever means are available. Fortunately, in the 21st century, we authors have the means to hand to go into print ourselves.

In the digital age, there is every reason for authors to take support from each other, benefit from the growing availability of cheap print technology and empower themselves to become their own publishers.