The perception of "Self publishing" has undergone a metamorphosis over the last decade. Once considered synonymus with vanity press it is now viewed as a respectable way for potential authors to express their thoughts and ideas through published books.

Today motivations for self publishing are several such as;

• a desire to communicate thoughts/ storyline to larger audience;
• a chance to seek interest of a established publishing house
• the wish to publish for a small target audience,
• commercial publisher is not interested in publishing
• in pursuit of communicating a hobby / craft
• publishing for private circulation amongst family and friends
• publishing intra-organizational policies, business manuals and other material
• to earn out of writing and publishing

These, amongst several others, are reasons for an author to consider financing the publication of their own book. however, there are also other factors that lead authors to consider self publishing. One such factor is the fact that when established publishing companies have become more marketing oriented that content related. A good work may be rejected because it doesnot fit the marketing parameters. Unless a potential book script fits marketing parameters (Hot Topics) it may not find favour with the publishers.

Technological developments in printing technology have drastically reduced the cost of publishing. Today cost of self publishing a book is within financial reach of many potential authors.There are now many respectable self publishing support companies that produce quality books at afordable prices for authors.

The quality of several self published books is at par with their commercial counter parts. They are increasingly finding their way into shelf space of diverse book stores.