When it comes to the ins and outs of the publishing world, I am more or less a newbie (which is why I go to lots of conventions and attend panels to learn more about the trade). Sure, I have had a couple short stories published, but this is not quite the same as ascending the dizzying heights of having a novel come out.

Now, when I say, ‘having a novel come out’ I always thought that meant having it published by one of the big houses as an actual, physical book. I never even considered self-publishing online.

In the last ten or so years, however, self-publishing has really come into its own. While it used to be looked down on by the publishing fraternity as just another version of the vanity press, some very well-received writers have made their careers in the self-publishing world.

Self-publishing can also be a…