If you’re thinking of authoring your own book, go and read this thought-provoking post by Seth Godin.

Desiring to offer some real-world advice for non-fiction writers embarking on their first book project, Seth makes five powerful arguments against rushing off to publish a book in the traditional way.

The “five big ideas” he explains are:

1. Please understand that book publishing is an organized hobby, not a business.

2. The timeframe for the launch of books has gone from silly to unrealistic.

3. There is no such thing as effective book promotion by a book publisher.

4. Books cost money and require the user to read them for the idea to spread.

5. Publishing is like venture capital, not like printing.

In summing up, Seth suggests that instead of seeking a publisher, aspiring authors should:

Build an asset. Large numbers of influential people who read your blog or read your emails or watch your TV show or love your restaurant or or or…

Then, put your idea into a format where it will spread fast. That could be an ebook (a free one) or a pamphlet (a cheap one–the Joy of Jello sold millions and millions of copies at a dollar or less).