I'm pretty much a control freak. I admit it. But I don't think it's all that unusual - most writers are. Yet back when I first began writing seriously, which was in 1985, I had no idea I'd be giving up nearly all autonomy over my work in exchange for just getting it published. Still, I was terrified not to give it up just in case the powers that be changed their minds, tossed my scribblings in the trash, and told me I should probably get a day job.

Back in those days, a computer and the Internet wasn't available in every household. In fact, very few of us even knew what being online was. I still remember watching commercials on television and wondering what in the world 'dot-com' meant. I didn't understand it was the ending to an address that welcomed everyone in from every part of the world. I certainly didn't realize that, by the year 2020, any writer could publish her own work singlehandedly and put it out everywhere - with no one's guidance or input but her own, if that was her choice.

But you must remember: Back when I started, writers were supposed to starve. They were supposed to struggle. They were supposed to be haunted by demons no one else was haunted by. They were supposed to drink too much and never sleep. It was expected of them. If they created a business and actually dared to consider the bottom line, they were prostituting their talent. Think Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. And then later...Truman Capote, Hunter Thompson...

Now, flash forward to today! 

Today writers, whether they have something to say or not, can say it. They have to watch out for predators who want to scam them or steal their work - all because the Internet is so wide-open - but writers can learn to defend their projects just like anyone else. In return they can produce their own masterpieces (or maybe not so much) without the interference of people who want to control - or erase - their talent or their artistry.

Self-publication is on a wave that's expanding and exploding all over the world. Writers are developing their own projects and building their own businesses exactly the way they want to - and that's something it never even occurred to me would happen, back in the day.

But I’m glad it has - and that I can take advantage of it if I want to. There are brilliant, generous writers out there who are willing to take on an old newbie and show her how it's done. And I have the freedom to make my own decisions: Traditional or self-publication?

Whichever path you choose, welcome to a brave new world. There's plenty of room for you!

* If you want more information about self-publication, check out TW Robinson's terrific how-to book called HOW TO SELF-PUBLISH FOR FREE AND NOT GET CONNED. You'll find the free download on his author's Facebook page. This is priceless information!