On-demand publishing has created new low-cost alternatives for people to get their manuscripts published.

WSJ: On the Web, Amateurs Rivaling Professionals

The first to do so in Japan is Fuji Xerox, which in May started a publishing-on-demand venture that lets customers browse through publications on its website and pick the material they want.

ECONOMIST: Electronic books

When licensing images for books, posters or trading cards, she insists on large, nonrefundable advances against royalties--a demand few illustrators can get away with, says Russell Cochran of Gemstone Publishing, who has dealt with the artist for 30 years.

FORBES: Collecting