Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: What You Need to Know

There's the age-old question of "Should I self-publish or go traditional?" Which is the better option for publishing right now?

The answer to these questions can be quite complex. There are a plethora of variables at play, and there is rarely a clear-cut answer. Of course, you don't have to choose between the two. You can always go hybrid, using both forms of publishing for different projects.

First, let's examine what each kind of publishing involves. Traditional publishing is when a publishing company takes on your manuscript and other processes such as editing, formatting, designing the cover, and promoting it. In return, you as an author receive royalties and a percentage of the sales, usually 7–12% of the cover price for emerging authors, based on the book sales. The publishing company is also responsible for distribution, printing, and marketing.

With traditional publishing, you get a professional team working on your book to ensure that it is of the highest quality. Any self-doubt you may have been dispelled by the approval of these overseers. Also, you are paid in advance and are not required to repay the advance even if your book does not sell as well as expected.

One of the disadvantages of traditional publishing is that you lose your creative rights. Traditional publishers are usually more concerned with whether or not a manuscript will sell. As a result, you may be asked to change a manuscript with which you disagree. There's also the part of actually securing a publishing deal; getting agents and getting your manuscript accepted can be time-consuming, taking as long as a year or two or even more.

Self-publishing involves you taking on all the responsibilities of publishing. As a self-publisher, you have complete control over your work and earn more royalties, reaching as high as 75%. But this also means you have to foot the bill for any publishing and marketing expenses and may struggle with the distribution. Although some websites, like Amazon, have made self-publishing much easier, you can publish your book there for no cost at all.

One significant difference between the two is the level of control you have over your work. Self-publishing allows you to have complete creative control. You get to decide on the cover, layout, and pricing of your book. Self-publishing can be done within a few weeks or months. This is helpful if you are looking to get your book out there quickly.

One similarity between these two, though, is that both types of publishing require you, the author, to write an excellent book. No matter which way you decide to go, the book needs to be engaging, well-written, and memorable.

But which publishing method is right for you? Well, that depends on your goals as an author. If you're looking for a traditional publishing contract, you need to wait and be open to changing your manuscript. If you're more interested in creative control and want to get your book out there quickly, self-publishing may be the way to go.

Both publishing routes have their advantages and disadvantages; you just have to weigh your options and choose what you think is best for you and your book. Writing a book is a big accomplishment, so be proud of you!