Abstract
The mainstream publishing world’s business model, culture and sentiments are turned upside down by various marginal publishing ventures which are becoming increasingly popular. For decades, vanity publishing has been a buzz word with negative connotations. Vanity publishing has traditionally been associated with aspirant or frustrated writers who are not good enough to reach the mainstream publishing market.
This presentation aims to examine the second stream publishing field which includes subsidy publishing, vanity publishing, self-publishing and niche market publishing and its relationship with mainstream publishing. Examples of each category will be provided. The presentation will highlight some unique individual vanity publishing success stories.
The vanity publishing field has not become sedentary. With the help of various factors, it has made itself known in the big playing
arena. Since the tsunami of the internet has hit the world, factors such as technology, open access, users’ more pronounced needs and
social networking have allowed vanity publishing to knock on the door of opportunity. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of this link, the emergence of community publishing, and lastly the possible impact of vanity publishing on the role of the university library.