A lot of people ask me: is self publishing better than traditional publishing? Honestly, the answer varies a lot depending on not only your goals, but also your preferences when it comes to creative control. Everyone has their own opinion on which path is better for them, so here are a few things to consider if you're still on the fence about which route to go.
What is Self Publishing?
Self publishing isn't new, but it's gained a lot of traction over the past decade. I self publish my own books, and ever since I first hit publish over a decade ago, I've been passionate about helping others get started with self publishing.
The big draw to self publishing, at least for me, is the fact you have complete creative control over your work. Everything from the words on the page to the cover is down to you, and that can be a blessing and a curse, depending on your budget or personality. It also means that you decide if a book grows into a series, or if it's a one off that you move on from once it's live.
With self publishing, because everything is in your court, it's pricey to get a book out into the world. Editors and cover designers can be expensive, and then you have to handle marketing. The good news is that there are plenty of budget options and ways to DIY your self publishing journey. Tools like ProWritingAid make self-editing slightly easier, and Atticus is a viable alternative to a professional formatter. For your book cover design, there are plenty of cheap book cover premades and guides to make your own book covers. And marketing? There's tons of resources online to teach you the ins and outs of social media marketing, and author Canva templates to help take some of the stress out of content creation.
If you're an author concerned about maintaining control, or looking to put out books at your own pace (whether that's one a week or one a year!), then self publishing is the way for you.
What is Traditional Publishing?
For a lot of people, traditional publishing is what comes to mind when they think of publishing. Getting an agent, an advance, and your book plastered over billboards... it seems like a dream! The reality is that traditional publishing is a very noble goal, but one that can take months, if not years, to get started with.
The biggest pull to traditional publishing for many people is the fact that your work starts and ends with the book itself. You won't need to wrangle book cover designers and editors, and you probably won't be sinking your own cash and time into creative marketing efforts (although this is changing, and plenty of authors are expected to do their own marketing these days, albeit with some help).
Traditional publishing also often comes with the guarantee of income, but the future of your trad career can often hinge on your debut performing well. Tons of factors play into the success of your debut, including plenty of things that are out of your hands, such as release scheduling and marketing trends.
There are also smaller presses and 'hybrid' presses, all with their own pros and cons. Plenty of authors might find that a smaller independent press might work better for them than a bigger one, though it does all come back down to your goals and budget.
For authors who want the 'prestige' of being picked up by a traditional publishing house, or for authors who don't care much for anything other than writing their book, then traditional publishing is a totally valid option. It's also easier to see your work in brick and mortar chains like Barnes and Noble, if that's something on your wishlist.
So, Which is Best?
Unfortunately, I can't wrap this post up with a definitive answer! The best choice is super individual, and every single author out there has their own aspirations, budget, and ideas about what publishing looks like to them.
What I can say, though, is that self publishing was the best route for me, and I'm always happy to lend a hand to fellow writers who are interested in going down that path, too. For authors who love to have control over their work, and want higher earning potential, then going with self publishing is a superb choice.
Authors who would prefer to do things the 'traditional' (no pun intended) way, then trad is a totally viable option, and one that comes with tons of benefits.
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