|
In the past three years I have been given a number of self-published jazz (mostly vocals) records. Most have been quite good, but perhaps there has been some filtering by the press agent who has sent me the CDs.
I think that these self-published music albums are respected because the consumers think that they are as good as those issued by the major labels. This may in part reflect a disappointment in the products of the major labels.
I don't think that we see among readers a similar disappointment in the products of book publishers. When the time comes that book publishers are seen to have a blind eye toward quality, I bet the self-published authors will receive acclaim.
Perhaps that day is already here regarding non-fiction. I am under the impression that there have been self-published books on commerce that have been financially successful for the authors (such as Robert Ringer's books). In the case of non-fiction, the consumer may want to learn (for example, how to make money), and not care if the writing receives anyone's stamp of approval.
|