A writer dreams of having their book published. Publishers dream of having “their” books sold. In a way, the publishing model as it’s been for the past couple of centuries is very similar to the way artists and architects used to work in the days of feudalism when the patronage of a wealthy magnate was the key to success.

Most of today’s authors have to spend their own time and sacrifice their time and money while writing. And then they have to seek out an agent who will then try and find them a patron (i.e. a publisher). Because both agent and publisher only make money once enough books have been sold to cover the costs involved, neither wants to take any risks on books without a projected mass-market appeal.

So even if a book is accepted by a traditional publisher, the author–the creator of the work–still hasn’t received any money. In fact, they’ll have to be content with seeing their book in print (and maybe a small “advance”) until a better-selling second book.

But what if the author could do it the other way around? What if the publisher eliminated their risk by being paid up front for the services and products provided, and the writer got to pocket all the proceeds of the book sales?

There was no way that model could have been possible in the past. The only economical way to publish was in quantity…and hope for sales to match. But with the revolution in publishing technology–both the advent of print-on-demand (enabled by printing from a digital file instead of a physical press), and the rising demand for audio books and e-books–has freed the industry from being tied to old forms of thinking.

Just as with independent music and independent film, independent publishing is ready for the next big push forward. Into the hands of the writer.