As a writer, I created my work to inspire hope and awareness, as well as discourage fear and despair. I understand the trepidation that many writers face when embarking upon the vessel of the publishing journey. The fear of rejection, the fear of failure and even the fear of success can plague our quest. However, today we have options to unblock the hindrances of fear.

During the previous days of traditional publishing, alternative options weren't available for writers. Rejection letters were many and chances for success were few. This didn't necessarily reflect upon the talent or skill of the writer, because publication was often contingent upon other factors, such as current trends.

Getting published is more challenging today, because the market is so competitive and congested. Aspiring writers inundate the traditional publishing houses with their submissions and often never receive recognition for their work. Many publishers won't consider a writer's work, unless an agent represents them. However, writers are no longer the ones hiring the agents. The agents are the ones that are really doing the hiring. Perhaps some might think it is a matter of semantics. However, today an agent screens writers, just as a publishing house did in the past. Ultimately, the agent is the one who decides if the writer's work is marketable and worthy of publication, before presenting the work to a publisher. The publisher then has the opportunity to accept or decline the work, according to its own criteria.

Agents are extremely knowledgeable in finding a way to mold a product into the needs of the publisher's current market. However, this can be a time consuming, expensive and an arduous process. The writer is still often subjected to a multitude of rejections, from prospective agents and publishers and the chances for publication are minimal. As well, the work of the writer might not be the same at publication as it was when initially submitted.

Today, we have a new method of publishing called "Self-Publishing." You'll find that many types of self-publishing companies are available, which is why researching carefully and weighing all of your options is important. Some companies charge exorbitant fees, while others charge low fees. Some provide very little support or promotion, while others stand firmly behind their authors. The publication process varies with some offering a variety of benefits and others offering very few benefits. Sometimes writers must relinquish the rights to their work. However, often they can retain all rights to their work, to take to another publishing house if they choose.

I researched several different self-publishing companies, until I found the one I thought would best meet all of my specific needs. The company I chose is Xlibris Corporation. "Xlibris is a publishing services company based in Philadelphia and a strategic partner of Random House Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Random House, Inc." "Xlibris gives the writer all of the tools needed to publish a book quickly, easily and affordably. Through leading-edge, print-on-demand technology, they offer a wide variety of Design, Production and Publishing Services, as well as online distribution availability and Marketing Products for self-publishing authors. In addition, their dedicated team of customer service representatives are available to help their authors every step of the way in order to ensure a seamless and successful publication process."

With Xlibris, my book has an (ISBN) International Standard Book Number, a copyright and a listing within the Library of Congress. It also has availability through online distribution channels, listings with Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com and has a variety of marketing services available.

I maintain control in the design process of my book, I retain all rights and my book never goes out of print. "Because Xlibris utilizes Print on Demand technology, which enables them to keep costs low during production, they can offer a variety of other services to their authors. Xlibris prints books as customers order them. They use modern technology to store and print books in electronic form, removing the need for a warehouse and large print runs. This method reduces two of the greatest costs in publishing, allowing more authors to publish and to have their books remain in print forever." "In addition, Xlibris doesn't require the author to purchase any copies of their own books; authors can simply tell their readers where to purchase copies."

Of course, I'm a little bit of a control freak. Therefore, this type of service was perfect for me. The up front fee was affordable, enabling me to have as much control as I needed -- to produce the book of my dreams. However, many need a little more help and guidance. Xlibris has everything that an author would need for the production of their book. I don't have to become a door to door salesman. I can let Xlibris do the work, which includes the shipment and delivery of all ordered books. As well, I receive a quarterly royalty check for each book sold.

Yes, marketing can be more challenging. However, who better to market a book than the author? An Xlibris author has as little or as much control as preferred. You aren't subjected to rejections, because they will publish your work. Of course, critics are skeptical of self-publishing and don't always revere it as a legitimate means of publishing. Although it has been around for a little while, they often feel that if you can pay a fee to get published, anyone can. Perhaps the work will be inadequate, forging the way for writers who don't have any talent.

Personally, I believe that art is in the eye of the beholder. Those with less talent can pay to get their books published. However, who are we to judge them harshly for doing the work and spending the money out of their pockets, to publish their work? Who are we to judge talent, as talent is subjective? Authors have the right to make their voices heard, to express themselves through available channels and to present their art to the public.

As a published author of a poetry collection, I believe that my work represents me and the message I wish to share. If you don't enjoy it, it doesn't mean my words are incorrect -- it means the message wasn't meant for your mind. If you don't like a particular type of music, it doesn't make the music bad -- it just means it isn't meant for your ears. If you don't like the portrait painted by a renowned artist, it doesn't mean the artist has no talent -- it means it isn't meant for your eyes.

I consider myself very fortunate to be an Xlibris author, because they know how to help writers to become authors. They stand firmly behind me and they are the best company to meet my specific needs. If you are a writer, the words you are willing to share are beautiful, because they come from your heart and it is your way of expressing you. The key to literary success is opening your heart, believing in your gifts and having a voice. As well, it is sharing the parts of your spirit that make you who you are -- and knowing beyond everything else, that Xlibris believes in you enough to unlock the doors to your self-expression.

*Quotes are from the Xlibris website at: http://www2.xlibris.com/