> ” whether you have better odds of getting someone to read your book than was the case previously.” For me the answer for this is an even more strong “yes”.

> ” whether you have better odds of getting someone to read your book than was the case previously.” For me the answer for this is an even more strong “yes”. Before, you could give your manuscript to a few, less than 10, friends. Then you would have zero readers until getting traditionally published. Now, I still can have those <10 beta readers, but then publish on Amazon have more readers, with multiple channels that I can tap to have anything from dozens to thousands of readers before being traditionally published. I did self-publish a science fiction book. I posted on LinkedIn (the only social media where my friends are connected to me) on launch and left it for free on Amazon. About 200 people downloaded it. I would guess 50% of those read it. Already a win over the old days. Then I could, without anyone approval, pay a small amount to a book influencer to advertise my book. I got something close to 1,000 more readers on Kindle Unlimited. There are people that do not know me personally writing reviews about my book. Another big win against the old days. Then, there are those more successful than me (like Andy Weir) that can reach thousands of readers before being published. And then there is still some niches, like romance and hot, that reach millions of readers through Amazon without ever being traditionally published (they earn more money remaining self published).