I wasn’t sure whether to self-publish this book or find a traditional publisher. So I asked the I Ching “How should I publish my book?” I obtained hexagrams 41, “Decrease,” cost (in money, energy or time), expenses, and 59, “Dispersion,” spreading, distributing.

Combining these symbols results in these phrases: “The cost will be spread among the various activities” and “After spending money you’ll need to do the distribution.” This is not about associating with a publishing company but about the cost of several services (editing the manuscript, publishing, distribution, marketing, etc.) and also about doing some distribution myself.  Working with a publisher does not require any money. So the response was about self-publishing.

Line 1 in hexagram 41 says: “Going quickly when one’s tasks are finished is without blame, but one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.” This means that achieving my goal more easily with self-publishing should not be at the expense of another goal, like the quality of the book.

Line 5 says: “Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.” This implies that I would benefit by using somebody’s services or perhaps reading a book on self-publishing.

The image in hexagram 59 says: “The kings of old sacrificed to the Lord and built temples,” which again refers to the cost needed to create something valuable. This book was self-published.