New Age, New Rules: Self-Published Book Reviews

It used to be said "there are no rules" to writing, but now the maxim has extended from the writing process to the realm of publishing.

The idea behind "there are no rules" is there are, in fact, rules that dictate how one should write. However, once the rules are learned and implemented, it is okay to break the rules in order to create a more effective narrative. Efficiency is a subjective term, for only writers and readers can determine what it means. 

If a writer should break all the rules, especially the norm of publishing through a traditional house, they would normally be shunned. At the very least, they would encounter a scowl or two.

Perhaps all that has changed, though, with the recent announcement from several book reviewing publications such as The Los Angeles Review, which will now acknowledge some requests to have self-published works read and rated. This all comes with a once-a-month, published review of a self-published book.

With more and more publications lending out an accepting hand towards indie and self-published books, it could be concluded there are no longer such strict rules to publishing. Already the likes of Amazon has shown the world an unknown writer can shine above some of the biggest names, even without a New York-style press. Everything said, there is still one rule: You must have good content.

The days of being left behind at the forefront are ending. 

Check out the LA Review Announcement Regarding Self-Published Manuscripts. 

---