[SmokeAndMirrors]

I see this as a writer's "caste system" and I'm glad it's breaking down.

A writer writes. A professional writer makes money from writing. Whether they're published by an official publishing house is of no consequence to whether someone is a writer, or a professional writer. As far as I can tell, being "published" in that sense is nothing more than a description of the means through which you are a professional writer. And it's stupid that we attach a status to a specific means of being a professional writer.

A professional writer who is self-published or published in a non-traditional way is no less "real" than a writer who's published by Random House. Who their middle man is or isn't is irrelevant. The only question is, is it worth reading?

Non-traditional professional writers have been looked down upon for a long time. And with things moving online - the internet being the ultimate equalizer - it's good to see indie writers finally finding ways to stand tall. The arbitrary advantage held by "officially" published writers is shrinking and both writers and readers are getting more choice.

I don't think it's right that our choice has been limited to what publishers think will make the most money. And I don't buy the argument that publishers weed out the crap. Have you seen some of the stuff on the best seller list lately? Have you read some of the ebooks that publishers are releasing that look like they're not even edited?

I, the reader, will decide what's crap and what isn't. And it has nothing to do with what makes publishers the most money. I, the writer, will publish my work on my own terms. And if publishing houses don't want to allow me to do that or at least offer an acceptable compromise, then I'll take my business somewhere else.

I am lucky, as both a reader and a writer, to be living in the age that I am. The future has never looked better for both readers and writers, in my opinion.