Sometimes,
when one reads quite a variety of books and starts to get a “feel” for them,
one begins to identify books that don’t quite seem the same as conventional
publications from established publishing houses. In short, you start to
recognize self-published books when you see them.
First,
let me say, that there is absolutely nothing wrong with self-publishing. I know
some people who have done it. I’ve read some excellent books that were
self-published, or had been originally self-published before a traditional
publishing house saw its potential (for making the publishing house money, at
least) and reprinted it.
However,
it must be admitted that in general, self-published books have a certain “look”
to them. Something about the glossy paperback cover, the graphic and font
choice, and sometimes an “unedited” feel to the writing itself, all gives a
sneaking suspicion of unpolished-verging-on-unprofessional work. Even readers
who are not grammar or spelling enthusiasts can see the difference between a
book that has been professionally copy-edited and one that skipped that (in my
opinion, vital) stage.
