Yes folks, self-pubbed authors are making great strides.  And we’re not just talking about all the erotica that continues to climb the best seller lists every week, only to be snatched up by trads.

No, we’re talking big-deal stuff.  And while Dave Eggers may not be your typical run-of-the-mill indie, his book, A Hologram for the King—self-pubbed via his little publishing concern, McSweeney’s—has been named a finalist in the 2012 National Book Awards.

In addition, five of the other twenty nominated books were published by small or university presses.

Take note guys…sometimes smaller is better!