By Debra L. Butterfield
Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing is most certainly a major question on the minds of today’s writers—Which path should I take?
The advent of print on demand (POD) and CreateSpace (now Kindle Direct Publishing) and other companies like them, made getting one’s book published much more accessible. Let’s examine how each works.
The Basics of Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing requires you to send a book proposal to the publisher’s acquisitions editor who will review it and determine if it rates moving on for review by the acquisitions committee. Or you can submit your proposal to literary agents who then shop your proposal for you to appropriate publishing houses. Many of the big name publishers require submission through an agent, and landing an agent can take as much work and time as gaining a publisher.
This is a rigorous process. It might take a year or more to land a publisher or literary agent. Publishers are in business to make a profit. They want to be certain your book is going to accomplish that. If you don’t have a well-established platform of ready buyers, your book will be a hard sell to them. However, a unique hot topic can outweigh the need for a large platform.
Once you have contracted with a publisher, it generally takes 18 to 24 months before your book hits that virtual bookshelf on Amazon. That means, if you are just starting the submission process, it could be 3 years before your book is finally published.
The largest benefit to traditional publishing is that you have no financial responsibilities. The publisher takes all the financial risk—editing the manuscript, laying it out for print and ebook, and designing a book cover.
You might get an advance on expected royalties. If so, your book must earn sales equal to that advance before you get additional royalty payments. Royalty rates average around 8 to 15 percent and are often tiered, e.g. 8 percent for the first 1000 books sold beyond the advance, 10 percent for 1001 to 5000.
The Basics of Self-Publishing
In self-publishing, you completely bypass the search and acceptance of a publisher. But now, you are 100 percent responsible for all aspects of publishing your book. That doesn’t mean you have to do all the work involved, but it does mean you find, hire, and pay the people needed for tasks you can’t do.
The pros are
- You have complete control over editing and book design.
- You get 100 percent of the royalties (minus what KDP keeps).
- There are no time constraints in getting it on the “bookshelf,” aside from your own.
The cons are
- You pay all costs associated with book production.
- You create your book cover and interior file or hire the work done.
- It can be time consuming.
Determining Which is the Best Choice for You
There is no right or wrong, better or worse in these publishing options. For all things there is a trade-off. Know your limitations and comfort level. This will help you determine which is the best publishing option for you.
- Are you comfortable with teaching yourself how to create an interior book layout in MS Word, Scrivener, or any other program?
- Do you have the time to create what’s needed?
- Do you have the budget to hire a designer for your book cover and interior layout or the knowledge to create your own?
- Do you have physical limitations that impact your ability to do the work?
- Do you have the self-discipline to manage the costs and get the work done?
- Do you have the time and temperament to handle the details?
- Or would you rather put in the time up front to land a traditional publisher and let them manage the details and the costs?
I tend to encourage writers to go the self-publishing route, but you know what you can handle, and that’s how you should make your decision.
One thing that is different today with traditional publishing is that most companies require the author to do the majority of the marketing of the book. That wasn’t always the case. So if you are thinking that having a traditional publisher means you can sit back and simply deposit the royalty checks every quarter, you’re mistaken. You will have to market yourself and your book.
Is It Worth It?
I say definitely yes, no matter which option you choose. But like most things, this is a personal perspective.
Will you earn back every dollar you invest as a self-publisher? That’s up to you and the work you are willing to put into promoting your book.
Will you impact lives in positive ways? Again, that’s up to you and whether you write and produce a quality book that people will buy and read.
If it is your true desire to write books, then write books!
The path you take to publication is your choice. Many writers today take both routes. There’s no rule that says choose one or the other. Spend time to fully examine each option, your abilities, and limitations, and seek the Lord before moving forward.
About the Author
Debra L. Butterfield is the author of eleven books that include Self-editing & Publishing Tips for the Indie Author (https://www.amazon.com/Self-Editing-Publishing-Tips-Indie-Author/dp/1936501864/). She is a freelance author and editor, former editorial director of CrossRiver Media Group, and a former copywriter for Focus on the Family. She blogs about writing at TheMotivationalEditor.com https://www.themotivationaleditor.com/self-editing-checklists/
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