One of the biggest decisions every writer faces is how to publish their book. Should you pursue a traditional publisher and try to land a book deal, or should you take full control and self-publish? Each path has its advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your goals, preferences, and resources.
Here we break down the key differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, covering everything from royalties to creative control, so you can make an informed decision.
Contents
What is Traditional Publishing?
Traditional publishing involves working with a publishing house (such as Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, or a smaller independent press) to publish your book. The process usually looks like this:
- You write a manuscript and submit it to literary agents.
- If an agent signs you, they pitch your book to publishers.
- If a publisher accepts, they offer you a contract, handle editing, cover design, and distribution.
- Your book is published and distributed through bookstores, online retailers, and libraries.
Pros of Traditional Publishing
- Prestige and Credibility: Getting published traditionally can add legitimacy to your work.
- Professional Editing and Design: Publishers invest in professional editing, cover design, and formatting.
- Wide Distribution: Your book can be available in major bookstores, libraries, and online platforms.
- Advance Payments: Many publishers offer an advance against royalties, meaning you get paid upfront.
- Marketing Support: Some publishers assist with book promotion, though the level of support varies.
Cons of Traditional Publishing
- Highly Competitive: Landing a book deal can take years and involves many rejections.
- Lower Royalties: Authors typically earn 5-15% of book sales, compared to 35-70% in self-publishing.
- Loss of Creative Control: Publishers make decisions about cover design, pricing, and sometimes content edits.
- Slow Process: It can take one to two years from signing a contract to seeing your book in stores.
What is Self-Publishing?
Self-publishing allows authors to publish their books independently, usually through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Apple Books, or IngramSpark. You handle every aspect of the publishing process, from writing to marketing.
Pros of Self-Publishing
- Full Creative Control: You decide on the cover, title, pricing, and release schedule.
- Higher Royalties: Depending on the platform, you can earn 35-70% of each book sale.
- Faster Publishing: You can publish a book within days or weeks, rather than years.
- Global Reach: Digital platforms allow worldwide distribution without the need for bookstores.
- Ownership of Rights: You keep all rights to your book and can adapt it into audiobooks, translations, or film deals.
Cons of Self-Publishing
- Upfront Costs: You may need to invest in professional editing, cover design, and marketing.
- No Guaranteed Sales: Without a publisher’s backing, you’re responsible for attracting readers.
- Marketing is on You: Success depends on your ability to market your book effectively.
- Harder to Get into Bookstores: Many bookstores prefer to stock traditionally published books.
Key Factors to Consider
Your Goals as a Writer
Ask yourself what you want from your publishing journey:
- If you seek prestige, literary awards, and bookstore placement: Traditional publishing may be the best route.
- If you want full control, higher royalties, and faster publishing: Self-publishing is a strong choice.
Financial Investment
Traditional publishing pays you an advance, while self-publishing requires you to invest in your book upfront.
If you’re willing to invest in editing, cover design, and marketing, self-publishing can be lucrative. If you’d rather not spend money upfront, traditional publishing might be a better fit.
Your Willingness to Market Your Book
Regardless of the path you choose, marketing is crucial. Even traditionally published authors are expected to build their own platform.
- Do you enjoy promoting your work, using social media, and running ad campaigns? Self-publishing rewards active marketing.
- Would you prefer a publisher to handle marketing? Traditional publishing might be better (though their support varies).
Control Over Your Work
With self-publishing, you decide everything: the title, cover, price, and release date. In traditional publishing, the publisher makes those decisions.
If you want complete control, self-publishing is the better choice. If you’re okay with giving up some control in exchange for professional guidance, traditional publishing might work for you.
Can You Do Both?
Yes! Many authors use a hybrid approach—publishing some books traditionally and self-publishing others. This strategy allows for the prestige of traditional publishing while keeping control over certain works.
For example:
- You might self-publish a series of books in a niche genre while submitting a standalone literary novel to traditional publishers.
- You could traditionally publish your first book to build credibility, then self-publish future works.
Which Path is Right for You?
Both self-publishing and traditional publishing offer unique benefits. The best choice depends on your goals, resources, and what kind of publishing experience you want.
If you crave creative freedom, fast publishing, and higher royalties, self-publishing could be your ideal path. If you value professional backing, bookstore placement, and are willing to wait for a book deal, traditional publishing might be the way to go.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is to keep writing—because the world needs your stories.
