Self-publishing or traditional-publishing. That’s the question every author will face as they begin their journey. For me, it’s a simple decision due to my background in digital marketing.
If you’re here for an in-depth analysis or a step-by-step guide on how to publish a book, whether self or traditional, you’re in the wrong place, but here are a few great places to start:
- Tiffany Hawk, a Writing Coach, does a full side-by-side analysis
- Reedsy’s Self-Publish Checklist
- Tiffany Hawk, back at it with a Trad-Publishing How-To
Think of this blog post as a high-level overview and explanation of why I chose to go with self-publishing.
What is Self Publishing?
I hate to state the obvious, but it’s when you publish a book yourself. Phew. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s dig into exactly what this looks like.
Authors of old would be amazed by this concept, as self-publishing has completely busted down the door of book publishing and made it more accessible for the average person to see their work in the hands of excited readers.
An author can write a book, put together a cover, write a description, and publish it on sources like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, or Apple Books to name a few.
This means that end-to-end, authors have full creative control over their story, but also incur the work and costs that a traditional publisher would normally handle.
Four Easy Questions To Help Decide Between Self and Trad Publishing
Start by researching both traditional and self-publishing. Go into it with an open mind, as what might work best for others might not apply to your skills or situation.
Reedy has a great blog that includes a quick comparison chart to start your research. But essentially, you need to evaluate what skills you possess and what compromises you’re willing to make.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Am I open to adjusting my story (either minorly or significantly) if a publisher asks me to?
- Do I have skills in marketing (building a website, sending newsletter emails, posting on social media)?
- Can I find and fund my own resources to assist with the publication process (e.g., story editors, line editors, cover designers)?
- Would I work well with the established timelines and deadlines my editor gives me?
How I Answered the Questions
- Am I open to adjusting my story (either minorly or significantly) if a publisher asks me to?
- As this is my first book and something I’ve been working on for many years, I’m hesitant to give up any creative control to a traditional publisher. Maybe as my career goes on and I mature as an author, I’ll be more open, but right now I can’t picture changing a character or a plot story if asked.
- Do I have skills in marketing (building a website, sending newsletter emails, posting on social media)?
- I’ve spent the last 9 years building websites and working in digital marketing. While I have never marketed a book, I know my skills will translate, and anything I don’t know I can learn.
- Can I find and fund my own resources to assist with the publication process (e.g., story editors, line editors, cover designers)?
- I have a great network of talented individuals around me. I’ve found someone with an eye for detail to edit and know a talented designer I can work with for a cover. While neither are experts on this field, I know these connections already give me a leg up.
- While I am not flush with cash, I can fund the editing and cover design process, especially since I am leveraging my network.
- Do I work well with established timelines given to me by my editor
- Since it’s taken ten years and I’m still not published, this is one area where I might benefit from a traditional publisher’s guidance. Working with an editor and having deadlines for writing and revising may be the motivation I need.
- I’m hopeful that setting an intention for self-publishing this year will help me stay focused. I feel like I have more clarity on what I want my life to look like and how becoming an author might shape that. I hope that drives me forward even when I am “not feeling it”.
Self-Publishing is Right For Me, You Decide For Yourself
Based on those four simple questions, the answer is clear: Self-Publishing. Everyone is in a different situation, so this blog post is by no means a call for everyone to self-publish. I also know that there may be a time in my life when I need to make a change and explore Traditional. Many authors dabble in both. It’s all about being honest with yourself and your skills and taking the leap. Either way, I hope you soar.
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