Self-publishing vs Traditional Publishing

Quote of the Day: A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” Richard Bach

Today I’m writing about self-publishing versus traditional publishing. One of my Instagram fans asked the question about the pros and cons of each. My reply was it’s a subject requiring more than a line or two for an explanation of my views. Depending on who you ask, you’ll likely get a different response. That’s ok to listen or read them all and make your own decision about what works best for you.

The Pros of Self-Publishing

• Control of content
• Timeline for delivery
• Ownership of copyright
• Marketing freedom (design and publish)
• Sales information confidential
• Larger royalty – Paychecks every 60 days for what you’re doing right now.
• Customer accessibility
• Free advertising for your author brand – on booksellers’ platforms

The Cons of Self-Publishing

• Author platform – Website (design and maintenance especially security)
• Responsible for all aspects of publishing
  • Editing and formatting
  • Registering copyright and obtaining ISBN identity
  • Book covers – Professionally designed
  • Creating a description and short blurb about the novel – Your own or freelanced
  • Developing advanced reader fanbase
  • Publishing decisions: For example, go exclusive or wide including multiple author platforms.
  • Publicist – Help for getting your novel seen by readers!
  • Book Reviews – Paid – Remember reviews sell books and editorial reviews from paid sources can be used on your website and marketing materials.
  • Marketing – Development and Expense
  • Marketing tools and resources – software, freelancers, etc.
  • Digital – Social Media Sites – creation and updates
  • Development and purchasing of ads

Pros – Traditional Publishing – The BIG 5

• Partnership and collaboration for the success of your novels
• Knowledge and name recognition (how to place your novel to become a bestseller)
• Inhouse advance readers fanbase for your genre
• Phenomenon Marketing – digital and traditional
• Advance for copyrights for novel/s present and future royalties

Cons – Traditional Publishing – The BIG 5

Note: Provide a manuscript with professional editing and formatting for the agent. The Big 5 deal exclusively with agents.

• Literary Agent – Querying and obtaining an agent – Finding the right fit with your writing style and genre may be time-consuming and negligible.
• Copyright ownership shifts
• Loss of creative/marketing input
• Smaller royalty over time – based on the original contract

Take Always

Patience, practice, and persistence – keep working at creating your best novel.

Practice without progressing in your craft is useless. Learn as you go along. Read and write every day. Be professional and kind to others including your fellow authors.

If you could choose which path to follow, would you go the traditional publishing route or indie? Talk to me and let me know your thoughts.

Thank you for following my blog for updates about my writing life. I appreciate your support. Carolyn M. Bowen

My latest Sydney Jones Series Book 2 is coming soon. Are you a reader and reviewer or book blogger of murder mysteries and women’s crime fiction? Leave your contact information below and receive an advance readers’ PDF copy of my latest novel when available.

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