If the web has changed anything (I DO think it has – and I don't think I'm a digevangelist for the sake of it, but because I perceive a change), it's the ability to reach and distribute to an author's niche with minimal outlay – if an author truly accepts that lack of bookshops sales are part of their business model (I think they should – specific deals with Indie stores aside – and for that reason I think self-publishing is wrong for most self-publishers), then the age-old obstacle of distribution has been removed from the equation.

Your comment about curation is what I'm most interested in – I'm guessing you mean finding the best and maintaining the identity of the imprint – which seem to me to be things self-publishers COULD do rather well?

Amen!

That needs to be turned into a poster. Or a plaque!

Publishers make markets via curation, aggregation and direct relationships with physical retail channels where over 80% of all book sales still happen. As sales channels evolve and digital sales (as opposed to sales of physical books via online channels) become more robust, a publisher will still have the upper hand over individual authors for the same reasons, because direct access to distribution doesn’t mean equal (or profitable) access, and the long tail favors scale. There's also a lot more to digital publishing than creating a PDF and setting up a Paypal account.

POD companies do NOT distribute books, especially not into physical stores; they simply make a book available for order, something authors can easily do themselves through Lightning Source, though again, direct access doesn't equal sales or profit.

You claim to want to move the discussion ahead, but you're offering up generic criticisms of publishers that don't apply across the board, and you're making huge assumptions that every author is a savvy businessperson and has the desire and wherewithal to take on the role of a publisher.

The biggest problem with online discussions is the lack of perspective, and the assumption that any one person represents the benchmark. That you're even involved in the discussion puts you far ahead of the vast majority of authors, but let's not pretend just talking about it is moving things forward.

Actions speak louder than words.

So, if the only benefit publishers offer is better marketing, they will soon all be out of business. And a writer whose books add genuine value to their reader's lives, armed with a smart PR firm will be making more money than ever before.

(P.S. Hi Kate, saw you talking about the end of gatekeepers in the forum the other day.)

But I also think that the sheer freedom to publish is important. We need to evangelise that reality! People need information to make fully informed decisions. Otherwise they'll get scammed.

They need to take responsibility sure, but coming from the right premise.

Eoin

Beyond that, what's your point? Depending on the type of book — as well as the available resources, inherent skills, and ultimate goals — the next step IS going to be different for everyone; there's no checklist that applies across the board, and you should run fast from anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.