Many of you have heard of the ‘Vanity Press.’  This is where you pay to
have your book printed. 

There are many sites, lulu.com is probably the best, which will let you
set your book in print, create your cover, and offer it for sale.

However, unless you buy a kit, you are responsible for your
own marketting.

Even to publish 10 books could cost you a pretty penny. And then
there’s the cost of shipping, and what do you do with the books?
Walk with them to book stores?
Stand on the sidewalk?

Those who regularly make presentations may sell them at the venue,
so that being paid X for the lecture it is not a problem to pay 1/2 X
for the books and sell them at X+1.

But for most of us, this would be simply spending money so we can
hold our book in our hands.

There is however, a use for our Vanity Press.
Gifts.

A friend of mine created a little bedtime story for some children
in which she incorporated their pets.

One Xmas she gave each of them a story; three different ‘chapters’
of the story she had created.

It cost her as much as she would have usually spent on toys or
clothes for them, and would become, she hoped, an heirloom.

Another did a picture book for the Anniversary of her parents.
It was the most rewarding gift she had ever given.

So although it is unlikely you’ll make money self-publishing, you will
have a source of priceless gifts.