Online publishing firms grow as writers turn to e-books

The internet and new technology is making a dream of being an author a reality for many writers.

Online self-publishing - bypassing agents and publishing houses is now a fast-growing sector.

Effectively it puts the fate of new authors in the hands of the readers.

Miral Sattar is the founder of an online publishing company. Sattar says businesses like hers offer a complete publishing and marketing service for writers helping them achieve their life-long dreams.

Mariko Oi reports from New York.