Because there are so many options for receiving media, the traditional media sources are losing a lot of ground in the cultural marketplace. Sales of both music and books through traditional sources have been on a steep decline over the past few years. As this happens, the major outlets for these types of media are forced to be more selective, more particular about the types of artists they can support. Books that might have previously found a publishing outlet are given a pass because the publishers can no longer take the chances that they once could.

This does not mean, of course, that fewer good books are being written. Just that fewer good books are finding there way to the public through traditional publishing outlets. At first, this may seem distressing. But, because of new tools that have become available to artists, writers, and musicians, we are in the midst of an explosion of the democratization of media.

Advances in printing, binding, and delivery, along with the internet and e-commerce, are permitting individual writers - who have written some of the most significant, imaginative and useful literature of our time - to offer professionally presented volumes of their work to the public.

Very few independently published authors are getting rich off of their works. Few of them expect to. Most independently published authors simply want to get their work out to as many of the people that would be interested as possible.

We do not hesitate to spend $10, $12, $15 to see a local band, go to the theatre or buy a cd. We are excited to support our local musicians, theatres and artists. But how many local writers have you supported lately?

So support an independent artist. Buy an independently-published book. If it turns out that you do not like the book, well, you have spent very little money. You can come back here and report your thoughts to let others know, and help the writer to grow. If you do like the book, tell people about it and buy another copy of it to give to a friend!