Book Publishing

Ask pretty much any writer how easy it is to get their works published, and they will sigh despairingly. Indeed, most successful authors will have gone through the agonising period of doubt, wondering if anybody will deign to read and enjoy their material.

So what can be done to make book publishing easier? Can the World-Wide Web help in promoting authors' works to a wider audience? Or are good old fashioned publishing houses the only safe and viable route?