The Naked Author, By Alison Baverstock

Once a "last resort", the dusty refuge of disappointed writers "with anger in their hearts, and spleen in their vocabulary", self-publishing now offers a practical alternative to the traditional routes into print – or onto the e-reader screen. So runs the kernel of Alison Baverstock's case in this richly detailed and enormously useful guide to the process.

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She covers every base in the DIY market, from proofing and layout to the pros and cons of "author solutions" firms and – of course – the electronic edition.

Weary of "massification" on every level, we seek direct and authentic contact, and self-publication can supply exactly that.

Barring a miracle, it won't make you rich, but it might make you happy. She reports among her DIY authors a "high level of contentment".