Self-publishing and print-on-demand platforms: which one we choose matters a lot

In my adult life, I’ve watched self-publishing evolve so much. These days, authors have a wealth of options to get a book out into the world, many of them surprisingly economical thanks to print-on-demand. It’s easier than ever to produce and distribute books in the same league with big traditional publishers.

This is kind of great for art-making, taste-making, and representation, but with choice comes responsibility. Because we have so many options, authors considering self-publishing now ha...