A few years ago, I co-authored a book on Jane Fonda’s treason in North Vietnam. It was published by a general trade publisher, McFarland & Company, which occupies a special niche for library sales (which was important to us, given the subject of our book).

Somehow, McFarland has just awakened to the existence of the book (maybe from the endorsement by Rush Limbaugh) that I recently self-published through BookLocker. It is The Keeper of the Flame: The Supreme Court Opinions of Justice Clarence Thomas. They offered me a contract for the book. I’m delighted, of course, for all the usual reasons, and especially because now the book will get into many, many libraries throughout the United States.

In the past, I have complimented BookLocker at almost every stage of the process, and what I said was heartfelt and well-deserved.

Now, with this development, I have nearly run out of encomiums-nearly, but not entirely: BookLocker offers those with a burning passion to write, and to have their writing heard, an opportunity that cannot be measured in material terms. Yes, there are books that one can heft. Yes, there is exposure that can lead to conventional publication. Yes, there may even be financial reward. But all that is eclipsed by the opportunity they provide to authors to be heard, be it about sewing or justice. For that, Booklocker.com is entitled to feel great pride.

Henry Mark Holzer, professor emeritus at Brooklyn Law School, is author or editor of nine books and hundreds of articles, essays, and reviews. A member of the New York bar since 1959, Professor Holzer’s law practice is limited to consulting with other lawyers in constitutional and appellate cases.