CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUBLISHING ROUTE: TRADITIONAL VS SELF-PUBLISHING

Are you an aspiring author who's considering publishing your book? If so, you may be wondering whether traditional publishing or self-publishing is the right route for you. In this article, I'll share my thoughts on both approaches based on my experiences, and hopefully, help you decide which one is best for you.

Let's start with traditional publishing. This is the route that most people think of when they imagine publishing a book. You submit your manuscript to a publishing house, and if they like it, they'll offer you a contract. Sounds easy, right? Well, not so fast.

Advantages of Traditional Publishing:

Access to Professional Editors and Marketing Teams:

One of the biggest advantages of traditional publishing is that you have access to professional editors and marketing teams. These teams will work with you to edit, format, design, and market your book. This can save you a lot of time and money, and it can also improve the quality of your book.

Established Reputation and Distribution Channels:

Another advantage of traditional publishing is that it has established reputation and distribution channels. Traditional publishers have established relationships with bookstores, online retailers, libraries, and book clubs, which can help authors reach a wider audience. You may also have a better chance of getting your book reviewed by major publications if you're traditionally published.

Credibility and prestige

Traditional publishing can lend credibility and prestige to your book, as it is seen as a stamp of approval from a reputable publishing company.

Advances and royalties

Traditional publishers typically offer authors an advance payment and royalties based on book sales, which can provide financial support and incentives for writing.

Long-term support

The last advantage in this list is that Traditional publishing companies typically provide ongoing support for authors, including reprints, translations, and digital editions, which can help keep the book in circulation for years to come.

Disadvantages of Traditional Publishing:

Limited Creative Control

One of the biggest drawbacks of traditional publishing is that you have limited creative control. Traditional publishers often require authors to follow specific guidelines, and may ask for changes that an author may not agree with. You may have to compromise on certain aspects of your book to meet the publisher's expectations.

Lengthy Publishing Process:

Traditional publishing can take up to two years or more, from the time a manuscript is submitted to the book's release. This can be a challenge for authors who want to publish quickly, especially if they're writing on a hot topic or trend. The publishing process can also be frustrating, with long waiting periods and little communication from the publisher.

Lower Royalties

Generally traditional publishers typically pay authors around 10-15% of the book's cover price, which can be a disadvantage for authors who want to earn more from their book sales. The publisher will also take a percentage of any foreign rights sales, film or TV adaptations, and other ancillary revenue streams.

Now, let's talk about self-publishing. This is the route that has exploded in popularity in recent years, thanks to the rise of ebooks and print-on-demand technology.

Advantages of Self-Publishing:

Complete Creative Control

One of the biggest advantages of self-publishing is that you have complete creative control. You can write the book you want to write, and you can design the cover and interior layout to your specifications. You can also choose your own editors, proofreaders, and designers, and manage your own marketing and distribution.

Faster Publishing Process:

Self-publishing allows authors to release their books within a few weeks or months of completing the manuscript. This can be a huge advantage for authors who want to publish quickly, especially if they're writing on a hot topic or trend. The publishing process can also be more straightforward, with fewer hoops to jump through and more control over the timeline.

Higher Royalties:

Self-publishing authors can earn up to 70% of the book's cover price, which can be a significant advantage for authors who want to earn more from their book sales. You also get to keep all the ancillary revenue streams, such as foreign rights sales, film or TV adaptations, and merchandising.

Disadvantages of Self-Publishing:

Limited Distribution Channels:

One of the biggest disadvantages of self-publishing is that you have limited distribution channels. You'll have to manage your own distribution, which means reaching out to bookstores, online retailers, libraries, and book clubs yourself. This can be time-consuming and may require a lot of effort on your part.

Quality Control

Another disadvantage of self-publishing is that you're responsible for the quality control of your book. This includes editing, proofreading, formatting, and cover design. If you don't have the necessary skills, you may have to hire professionals to do this for you, which can add to the cost of publishing.

Marketing and Promotion

Self-publishing also requires a significant amount of marketing and promotion. You'll have to create your own marketing plan and execute it to reach your target audience. This can be challenging if you don't have experience in marketing, and it may require a lot of time and effort.

choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing

So, how do you choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing? Well, it depends on your goals as an author. If you're looking for professional editing, marketing, and distribution, traditional publishing may be the right choice for you. But if you want complete creative control, faster publishing, and higher royalties, self-publishing may be a better option.

Of course, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to publishing a book. Every author's situation is unique, and you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of each approach based on your own goals and circumstances.

In the end, the most important thing is to get your book out into the world, whether that's through traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a hybrid approach. As Mark Twain once said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." So, don't let the decision of which route to take hold you back. Just pick a path and get started on the journey of becoming a published author.

And remember, whether you're traditionally published or self-published, writing a book is a significant achievement. So, enjoy the journey, embrace the challenges, and most importantly, keep writing!