I've been writing and ranting about the misuse of the term "self-publishing" by vanity presses such as Lulu, Outskirts Press, Xlibris and their customer/victims.

I've said that the term "self-publishing company" makes no sense because no company or person can self-publish you, or self-publish for you -- just as no one else can eat lunch for you, take medicine for you or commit suicide for you.

That last example got me thinking. I decided to try to come up with a list of phrases that begin with "self" to see if any of them could be done for you by another person or business.
  • No one can self-immolate you.
  • No one can self-destruct you.
  • No one can self-medicate you.
  • No one can self-educate you.
  • No one can self-heal you.
  • No one can self-help you.
  • No one can self-direct you.
  • No one can self-appoint you.
  • No one can self-start you.
  • No one can self-deprecate you.
  • No one can self-aggrandize you.
  • No one can self-efface you.
  • No one can self-enhance you.
  • No on can self-express you.
  • No one can self-insure you.
  • No one can self-publish you. The words just don't make sense!

 

Michael N. Marcus