Last modified: Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:38 AM EST C.J. West operates 22 West Books, a print on-demand publishing firm, out of his home on Wrentham's Autumn Road. West's first book, on the table, `` Sin and Vengeance'' was released last November. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell) Books on demand By Rebecca Keister/Sun Chronicle Staff WRENTHAM--C.J. West started work in the computer industry to help put himself through college. When he got his business degree, he spent almost 20 more years there. That was more than enough to realize he was in the wrong field and working for the wrong person. Now, the married father of two is a first-time published author and owner of 22 West Books, a print-on-demand publishing firm that he operates out of his Wrentham home. `` This model changes the (publishing) business,'' West said of print on demand, a relatively new publishing trend that is geared mostly toward unknown authors and hobby writers who either can't find a large publishing house willing to buy their book or who may want only to print a smaller than typical run. `` It's just like a traditional publisher, the same idea on a different scale,'' West said. In its simplest explanation, print on demand is digital printing -- done without large presses -- that produces books which look like any other consumers might find at large-scale paperback retailers. The book is typed in a word-document program and its front and back covers are composed in a graphic design program. The printer -- West does not do this, himself -- prints, polishes and binds the book. The entire file is saved in its book-ready format within the printers' library system. Publishers and, in many cases, authors can order as few or as many books as they want at one time, and only that amount is printed. `` A book is printed in about a minute,'' West said. `` It's user-focused, with a small author perspective.'' West has the unique position of looking at his business from the eyes of someone who might query his firm, and as someone who is just starting out as an author and publisher. About two years ago, West had finished writing his first book and began to look at publishing options. He stumbled into print on demand through Internet research, and decided to pursue what he saw as a `` huge market trend.'' A simple Internet search for print on demand publishers turns up scores of Web sites. The legwork of establishing himself as a publisher -- securing an ISBN number, establishing relationships with retailers -- took a while, but his first title, `` Sin and Vengeance'' was released last November. `` I expect it's going to take some time,'' West said of his business' potential to bloom. `` I have one title now, but these things seem to kind of feed on themselves.'' But West has some specific ideas of where he'd like to take his business, and it's not to the ranks of the most well-known publishing houses. Instead he'd like to take advantage of what a print on demand firm can offer to those authors who would benefit most from its resources. Unlike self-publishing or e-publishing, where authors can post their work on Web sites, there are virtually no physical differences between books printed on demand and those normally found in bookstores. That would appeal to authors for whom a bigger publisher is not an option. West wants to give those writers personal attention they wouldn't receive elsewhere. `` My goal is to be in the middle,'' West said. `` I want to find maybe six titles a year, and have edited every title that walks out the door.'' Books sell by being reviewed mostly on Web sites, including blogs, that provide links to online book stores. There's also what West calls `` guerrilla marketing'' -- a lot of handshaking and book signings. `` The (point) is to get a reputation so people come to us to see what titles we have,'' he said. `` I just woke up one day and (started). This life works for me. I couldn't imagine not doing it now.'' rdrtrdrsrdrw15rsp160 Rebecca Keister can be reached at rkeister(at)(at)thesunchronicle.com or 508-236-0336.