"Vanity press" is a term used to refer to self-publishing companies that offer writers the opportunity to print their books in exchange for payment. The term is often used in a derogatory manner, implying that the author is narcissistic for paying to have their work published instead of seeking out traditional publishing routes. Alternative terms for "vanity press" include self-publishing, author-pays publishing, and subsidy publishing. While some may still view self-publishing as a vain pursuit, it has grown in popularity in recent years due to the rise of e-books and the accessibility of online platforms such as Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing.