Wirt wrote:

> ... I was very impressed with how easy it was to self-publish.
>
> In the end, we decided not to do it, simply because (i) the HP3000 market
is
> too small for the minimum runs, (ii) our software was evolving too quickly
> and (iii) old manuals have no value, thus there was going to be a
substantial
> amount of waste in the process, but I was very impressed with how easy it
was
> to self-publish, creating a series of books very much akin to Microsoft
Press
> that will look absolutely as good.

Actually, it has even become much simpler!  Check out "iUniverse.com".  They
will allow ANYONE to self-publish for $99.  They accept any document in Word
or WordPerfect format (I believe they also accept ".pdf" files - but I am
not sure).  They will publish the book - with no minimum runs.  The books
will be listed on Amazon.com and the Barnes & Noble web site.  The books are
all "soft-back" (not paper-back... but no hardback editions).  There are no
minimum run limits.  The books will be priced according to the number of
pages (from $9.95 to $14.95).  The do offer some minimal editing services,
but not much.  The distribution is all done electronically unless you desire
to have them in a traditional bookstore.  The secure the copyrights for you
and they obtain the necessary ISBN number.

This makes it possible (and feasible) for virtually anyone to write an MPE
book (regardless of the size of the market) and have it published for a
reasonable cost.

We really have reached the age of "if you think you can write a book, do
it...".

Glenn Koster
Quintessential School Systems
Developers of QWEBS (www.qss.com)