For most of the 20th century, traditional publishing was the only option for many authors. While the technology existed for self-publishing, it proved prohibitively expensive for most people.

The rapid technological development since 2000 changed the game completely. Amazon now offers a stable platform for self-publishing ebooks and print editions through its KDP select program. Authors can also take advantage of print on demandtechnology for short-run printing of physical editions.

With all these changes in the industry, it begs the question: Is self-publishing or traditional publishing best? Let’s jump in and take a closer look at the two options.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing typically means an author places a book with one of the Big 5 publishers:

• Hachette
• HarperCollins
• Simon & Schuster
• Penguin Random House
• Macmillan

Of course, that makes it sound simple. It’s not.

The vast majority of titles the Big 5 publish come through author agents who champion the book with an editor. The editor then champions the book with the publisher, which offers a contract.

That means traditional publishing requires an author to secure an agent. While not as difficult as directly selling a book to a publisher, securing an agent is often a monumental task for new authors.

Traditional Publishing Benefits

If you can secure a contract with a traditional publisher, it does come with some benefits. The publisher handles a wide range of tasks.

For example, the publisher handles proofreading, formatting, distribution, and even some marketing. The author’s main job during the process is revisions based on the editor’s notes and promoting the book.

Self Publishing

Self-publishing happens when an author takes on all of the duties of the publisher. The author does face certain limits in terms of distribution. Most major bookstores won’t carry self-published titles.

That means the author must select from a small number of distribution channels, such as:

• Amazon
• iBooks
• Kobo
• BookBaby
• Smashwords

Some authors opt for exclusive distribution of their ebooks on Amazon through its KDP Select program.

Self Publishing Benefits

Self-publishing does offer some benefits as well. For one, the author retains substantially more control. The book will only change as much as the author lets it change during editing.

The self-publishing process moves much faster. Once you finish editing the book, you can publish it almost immediately in ebook form. You can also order print editions immediately.

You might wait a year or more for a traditional publisher to print your book.

Which is Best?

The question of whether self-publishing or traditional publishing is best doesn’t offer simple answers.

Traditional publishing offers very long odds of success for new authors. It’s an energy-sapping and time-consuming process to get an agent. Even if you get an agent, it’s no promise of publication.

If you despise managing details and self-promotion, self-publishing will prove an exercise in misery. 

Self-publishing is the best route if you relish control and want a guarantee of publication.

InstantPublisher.com helps authors self publish with short-run printing of physical copies. For more information or questions about our print services, contact InstantPublisher.com today.

You wrote a book! Congratulations!

Of course, you want other people to read the book. You can look for an agent or submit it to a publisher’s slush pile. You might get lucky.

You can also pursue the other option. That’s right, you can self publish your book.

Not sure where you should start? Keep reading and we’ll give a solid guide for self publishing a book.

Polish the Book

It’s a hard pill for many first-time authors to swallow, but your first draft is not ready for publication. It absolutely contains at least some of these problems:

• typos
• grammar errors
• stilted passages
• logical errors
• structural problems

Assume that you’ll end up writing as many as five drafts of the book before you send it out for feedback from beta readers.

Hire a Professional Editor

No matter how well-meaning or insightful your beta readers, they aren’t a substitute for a professional editor. Odds are good that they’ll consciously or unconsciously hold back to avoid hurting your feelings.

A professional editor won’t give you a pass because they have no emotional investment in you. Giving you honest, actionable advice is a professional editor’s job. They’re also a lot more likely to catch those typos and grammar errors that your eyes just slide over.

Book Formatting and Cover Design

The debate rages on about book formatting and cover design.

On the one hand, you can get formatting templates for free. Many sites and graphic designers offer premade covers at a reasonable price.

On the other hand, the templates might not work the way you want. Premade covers vary wildly in quality. They won’t necessarily capture your book’s emotional tenor exactly the way you want, either.

When in doubt, you can also hire a professional for formatting and cover design.

Choosing an Ebook Self Publishing Channel

Amazon controls around 80% of the total ebook market, which is where self published authors tend to thrive. Kindle’s domination in the e-reader market helps account for this dominance. It makes self publishing a book on Amazon a no-brainer for most authors.

Amazon also offers the KDP Select program. KDP Select gives authors a bigger slice of the revenue in exchange for keeping your ebook exclusively on Amazon. The tradeoff here is that you give up other channels such as Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords. 

Print Editions

Much like ebooks, Amazon also provides options for creating print editions. This was the domain of Createspace, but Amazon has absorbed those functions into its KDP platform.

You can also work through a short run print company if you want physical copies. These companies can often beat the per unit cost you get from Amazon on larger orders. This is ideal if you plan on doing lots of signings and attending conventions.

Parting Thoughts on Self Publishing a Book

Self publishing a book isn’t always easy, but it’s a lot more certain than traditional publishing.

Polish your book and hire a pro editor. Consider your formatting and cover images options. Choose between Amazon ebook exclusivity and wide distribution through other sales channels.

Even if you create a physical edition through Amazon, remember you can save money with short run printing on larger orders.

InstantPublisher.com specializes in short-run printing services. For questions about our printing services, contact us today.