The document summarizes the evolution of the publishing industry from the 1980s to the present. It describes how traditionally publishers, agents, and retailers acted as gatekeepers that took most of the profits and gave writers little control over or profits from their work. In 2007, the rise of ebook marketplaces like Amazon disrupted this system by allowing writers to self-publish and earn more money directly from readers. Now writers no longer need traditional gatekeepers and can become successful like Hugh Howey by self-publishing their work online. The modern era has created many opportunities for nimble self-publishing authors.