BUT, and it's a big but, in this digital age it is becoming more and more acceptable. Let's look at some of the pros and cons.

If you use a tradtional publisher, your book will benefit from the services of a professional editor and copy editor. If you self publsh, you will have to pay for these services yourself.

A traditional publisher will have your cover designed for you. Self-publishing entails your finding a cover designer yourself.

Using a traditional publishing house will result in your earning meagre royalties on every book sold. The profit margin for self-publishers is much higher.

Nowadays, whichever method you go for, you will be expected to conduct your own promotion. Publishers seem to be obliged to devote the bulk of their marketing budget to the handful of writers they expect will sell very well, and this includes, of course, all the so-called celebrities who are producing their memoirs.

When it comes to distribution, the publishers have it. They can get books onto bookstore shelves. You will be lucky to get your local bookstore to stock your book on a sale-or-return basis. However, both methods will result in your book being listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.

Finally, self-publishing means that you have much more control over your book. If you are 100% satisfied with what you have written then self-publishing might be the right way forward.

Here are some suggestions:

Amazon's CreateSpace allows you to create your book on line, design the cover, obtain ISBN numbers and then purchase as many copies of the finished product as you want. And the best part about it is that can be absolutely free except, of course, the printing costs. It is really worth taking a look. We would even say that it is a must. Click on the banner below.

We have also found a great deal for cover design if you want something more individual. 99 Design let you challenge a whole group of artists to design your book cover. You then choose the design that you like best from a number of ideas. Brilliant. This is not free, but such a clever idea. Take a look (that's free) by clicking on the banner underneath, then click on 'book covers' at the bottom of the page.