Okay before you ask for my head, I'll explain why I asked this question: What is Online publishing? or rather: publishing online? The answer is simple, and yet complex. Simply because it isn't something that people who write hubs or blogs think of as publishing. IS it online publishing?

Writing a blog is online publishing. Don't believe me when I say this? Well, try writing a blog without online access. It can't be done. What else does this term also mean? (hence the term Weblog to blog.) It does mean that you need to be online. The same goes for a hub. You can write it offline but no one else can read it if it's not online.

E-books are online publishing at its best and finest. A reader can download a book in minutes, or even seconds and sit and read it, while working on other pastimes, it's there on the computer almost like an email waiting to be read. It's also cost effective and satisfying for any author. I can say that beyond seeing my byline at a bookstore, I'd love to read something as an e-book.

Then of course there are the online daily newspaper, and magazines, we all know the ones, for more information see our "online publication." Anyone can type in the websites and read up to date news, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. It is easy and accessible, and best of all instant.

At this point I am not in the online publishing loop because I have a deadline to met. One that should I miss my beloved editor will use me as a football. Yes I am looking for typos. Yes it's not fun since it's beyond the spell check ability. Or my own limited writing skills. Grammar as well. Yes, I'm using the thesaurus! Yes, my editor is awesome, and she does a lot to help me improve, and keeps checking my hubs and blog to make certain that everything is correct.

Online publishing fascinates me, I think that soon our e-books will replace our personal libraries that take up half a wall or more. or in my case, they are the wall between my children's play room and my office space!

I believe in the value of reading, and of writing, but I'm not a tech-geek. There are days when I'm lucky the computer runs fast and correctly. I still enjoy a good paper book in my hands, or better yet heading to the library. I love my laptop, but I love my time away from it as well, now that it seems to be at my side all the time.

I do consider online publishing as a way that most authors can get their work networked to many more people. I believe that this is important. IF course your voice and the work that you do should be better with time. I hope mine is.  I believe that most of the people who read this would tell me if it isn't.  It's all about being online and publishing!

My Question For You: What does online publishing mean to you?