Happy Independence Day and an Exciting Time for Independents

Today we honor our country's birthday; we celebrate the day we became a sovereign nation, independent and free. I can only imagine the excitement mixed with trepidation the founding fathers were feeling as they signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Although this marked the realization of a dream, it also meant we were on our own. The work was really just beginning.

This is also an exciting time for independent publishers and authors. I recently came across a June 6, 2011 Forbes article by Alan Rinzler titled Good Day Sunshine for Writers. In it, Mr. Rinzler discusses how quickly the publishing industry is changing and what a great time it is to be a writer, "especially for those in the vanguard: the self-publishing writers at the cutting edge of the brave new turbulent world of literary art and commerce."

He also debunks the negative sterotypes that have plagued indpendently published and self-published books for far too long. None of this means just anyone should self-publish. Writers need to take on the awesome responsibility of writing well and creating a story people want to read. Publishing rubbish hurts everyone, writer and reader alike. It's a time to embrace changes with excitement but also caution.

So here's to our nation and to all the hard-working writers out there. I feel honored to be an American and a writer.