Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing

Which is Right for You?

There are two main options for publishing your book: conventional publishing and self-publishing. To help you decide which path is best for you, we’ll explain what each of these means.

Traditional publishing is the classic way: you write your book, then you submit it to a literary agent or a big publishing house.

If they like your book, they’ll do the editing, printing, marketing, and bookstore distribution for you. This can be really cool because your book could get into many different places and be seen by a lot of people. Besides, you get help with such things as the design of your book and promotion.

But there’s a negative side. Traditional publishing can be hard to reach. There are thousands of writers all trying to get attention, so it can take a long time to be contacted by publishers, and you could even be rejected. In addition, if your book does get published, you may have to give up some control over how much money you will earn and how your book will be marketed, among other things.

On the other hand, there is self-publishing. It is like taking control of your own life. You control everything from editing to cover design to marketing your book online. Platforms like Amazon make it easy to get started, and you can also retain more of the money your book makes. Also, you can publish when you want, without waiting for anyone’s approval.

But the process of self-publishing isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. You have to do a great deal of the work yourself, like finding editors and designers and thinking about how to advertise your book. And since anyone can self-publish, it can be more difficult to get your book noticed and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

So which option is right for you?

That depends on what you want. If you’re comfortable waiting and perhaps giving up some control for wider distribution and support, traditional publishing may be the right choice. But if you like to be in control and don’t care about the additional work, self-publishing could be your path to success. Whatever the case, the important thing is to find the way that feels right for you and your book.