Self-publishing has skyrocketed over the past 20 years as technology has advanced and “print-on-demand” services have increased. Now anyone can publish their own books, but turning self-published books into a success is much more difficult.
St. John Bosco, patron of self-publishing?
While St. John Bosco is most well-known for his ministry to children, he was also an accomplished writer who chose to publish his own books, rather than going through a traditional publishing company.
According to a late 19th-century biography, “Don Bosco wrote about a hundred volumes large and small in his own name and many others anonymously.”
In addition to prayer manuals and Church histories, St. John Bosco also wrote fiction.
He also wrote stories of imagination intended for instruction in the love of virtue … a model for children’s books. Others of Don Bosco’s fictions are “Angelina or the Orphan of the Apennines Severin,” “The adventures of an Alpine child,” “Tales and novels,” “Valentine or the Crossed Vocation.” Interest, common sense, and charming ideas pervade all Don Bosco’s religious and moral stories. He published two dramas for boys, “The Fortunate House” and “Louis, or a dispute between a Barrister and two Clergymen.”
What is interesting is that he printed these books and stories himself, managing every aspect of the printing process.
Don Bosco endeavoured as soon as he could to print and publish his own books and ere long, the writings of his disciples. Printing was his favorite industry, a manual labor, but the most powerful moral and intellectual lever of the day.
If you are looking for a heavenly intercessor for your self-publishing efforts, look to St. John Bosco!
And today we celebrate...