The Big Decision:
Traditional versus Self Publishing
This is the quandary every writer finds themself in when they first start out. Frankly, this is a very personal decision; what is right for one person may not be right for you. There are also many, many misconceptions about both traditional and self-publishing. I'm here to try to help clear this up, and hopefully make it easier for you to make the decision that's right for you.
My goal here isn't to convince you which path is "right" - it's to give you the real information so YOU can make an informed decision. Traditional publishing? Self-publishing? Both are legitimate paths, and both have their own rewards and challenges. You know your dreams, your goals, and what success looks like for the stories you want to tell. No one else can make this decision for you - and frankly, no one else should. This is your writing journey, and you get to choose the route that fits you best.
Traditional publishing means a publisher pays YOU (via royalties, with possibly an advance against royalties) for the rights to publish your book. They handle editing, cover design, formatting, distribution, and some marketing. You give up creative control and a significant portion of royalties, but you gain industry validation, potential bookstore placement, and the backing of a professional team.
Royalty rates typically range from 7.5-15% for print books and around 25% of net revenue for ebooks, based on current industry standards.
The reality? Getting an agent and landing a deal can take years, and even with a publisher, you'll still need to drive much of your own marketing. The advance might be modest (or nonexistent for smaller presses), but you're not paying anyone to publish your work.
Self-publishing means you retain complete control over your book - and complete responsibility for it. You'll hire (or learn to do) everything from editing to cover design to formatting to marketing. The good news? It's far more affordable than most writers realize, and you keep 100% of your rights and royalties.
Royalty rates typically range around 35-70% for ebooks and around 40% for print books, depending on format and platform.
The reality? You'll work just as hard on marketing as a traditionally published author would - possibly harder. But if you're willing to invest the time and a few hundred dollars, you can produce a professional product that's entirely yours.
But what about indie publishing?
First, let's clarify some confusing terminology. When most authors say "I'm an indie author," they mean they're self-published - independent of any publisher. However, there are also indie presses (small, independent publishing companies), which are a different thing entirely.
This section is about indie presses - small publishers who aren't part of the Big 5 traditional publishers. Should you consider publishing with one?
Keep in mind, not all indie publishers are created equal. However, many indie presses don't do much more for you than create the cover, format the book, and upload your books to the various online sellers. All of which you can do yourself with minimal expense and effort, and keep your rights and royalties for yourself.
Vanity Presses: Just Say No
And then there are vanity presses. These are "publishers" who require you to pay them to publish your book - often thousands of dollars. They do zero marketing. They provide minimal distribution. They are predators, plain and simple.
Here's the difference: A legitimate publisher (traditional or indie) makes their money from sales of your book, of which they pay you royalties. A vanity press makes their money by selling lots and lots of copies of your book to you.
You can hire a professional cover designer, formatter, and editor independently for a few hundred dollars total (see the Self-Publishing section for specifics). Vanity presses will charge you thousands for the same services - and you'll still have to do your own marketing.
For comprehensive information on identifying predatory publishers, visit Writer Beware from the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association.