Paths to publication
Traditional, self-pub, hybrid, or assisted self-publishing: which is right for you?
Next week, I’ll be at the West Coast Christian Writers conference, I’ll be teaching and mentoring writers. Most writers want to know not just how to write, but how to get published, and we’ll be talking about that (among other things) at the conference.
In-person registration has closed, but you can still register for the value-packed online conference, and save $50 with the discount code KENT.
In the meantime, I wanted to offer this summary of publishing paths. I’ve written before about self-publishing, traditional publishing, and more. But this summary offers a quick overview of the options for writers who want to get their book out into the world.
Traditional or royalty publishing
What is traditional or royalty publishing? Publishing companies (many who have been in business for decades) publish author’s books. It was once the other way to get your book into the world, but that has changed. (For a deeper dive into royalty publishing read this post.)
Advantages:
The publisher pays you up front. If your book sells enough, you’ll earn additional royalties.
The publisher takes on all the costs of production, sales, distribution. They are involved in marketing and publicity, although you’ll participate quite a bit in that effort as well.
Your book is eligible for reviews in literary publications, newspapers or magazines.
Your book will be sold in brick-and-mortar stores, and online. A sales team employed by the publisher will sell your book to those retailers.
Being accepted by a publishing house with a solid reputation lends credibility and gravitas to your work.
Traditional publishers sell books to the public. They have a reputation to uphold. They have a strong incentive to get your book to actually sell, which means they want it to be the best quality it can be. They will put effort into creating a quality product and selling as many copies as possible.
Downside:
It’s sometimes difficult for new writers to get accepted by a publisher. You’ll need to show up with strong writing skills, a saleable idea, and an existing platform that will assure them you are bringing an audience with you.
For larger publishing companies, you’ll need an agent. Securing an agent can be a challenge. (Legit agents take 15 percent but do NOT charge upfront fees)
The publisher has more editorial control and has the final decision on edits, the cover, even the content.
While you hold the copyright, the publisher holds the ISBN and can decide to take your book out of print.
Beyond the advance, you get a smaller percentage of the profits as royalities than you would if you self-published.
The process of editing, design and production once you’ve completed your manuscript is long (typically a year, maybe two).
Self-publishing
Self-publishing means just that: the author and publisher are YOU. Most authors choose to use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. You can set up an account for free, where you can upload your book’s cover and interior, and create an ebook and a print on demand paperback or hardback book. Amazon takes a cut of any book sales but does not charge upfront fees. The pros and cons essentially flip from the traditional publishing scenario.
Advantages:
You are the publisher, you hold all rights to your book. You have the ISBN and copyright. (What’s an ISBN and why do you need it? Read this blog post.)
No gatekeepers: you can use any number of platforms to publish your book at low or no cost.
You don’t need an agent.
You have complete editorial control of content, and final say on both interior and cover design.
You can get your book to market quickly.
You’ll receive more of the profits on your book.
Through amazon or other online retailers, you have access to world wide distribution.
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom: https://www.pexels.com/
Downside:
You pay (usually independent contractors or literary pals) for editing, design. (Do you need an editor? Yes. Read this post to find out why.)
You do all the marketing and sales and advertising yourself.
Most bookstores don’t carry self-pubbed titles so your book will be sold online, or at events where you are speaking or consulting.
Literary journals don’t review self-published books. The New York Times does not include self-published books in its bestseller lists.
While self-publishing is becoming more widely accepted, there is less prestige than you’d have with a traditionally published book.
Hybrid or vanity publishing
Be very careful here! Scams in the hybrid publishing industry abound. Hybrid publishers charge the author an upfront fee (to cover production costs) and also sometimes offer royalties on sales (typically a larger percentage than traditional publishers).
Advantages:
If you need someone to flatter you and tell you your book is amazing, and promise you that it will be a bestseller, you might consider this. But most of the time they are misleading you. No one can guarantee a bestseller. But if you need your ego stroked, you’ll likely get that from a hybrid publisher.
Some hybrid publishers can help guide you through the publishing process, and with distribution. But you could typically access the same distribution channels yourself by self-publishing.
They might have editors and designers in house who will make your book look good. But there’s no guarantee because they don’t have an incentive to make your book good.
Disadvantages:
See advantages, which really aren’t advantages.
Some hybrid publishers hold the rights to your book, which means they can take it out of print, or if it does well, profit from it. A “free” ISBN is not really free, since it gives them the rights to your book.
Hybrid publishers sell services to authors, to get their books into print. They make their money from the upfront fees. They don’t have an incentive to sell your book, because they’re giving you a bigger share of the profits if it does sell.
There are some legit hybrid publishers, but many scams, where authors pay for say, editing or design, yet never receive those services, or receive mediocre services. Ask to see their other titles and to speak to other authors who’ve used their services.
Assisted Self-publishing
If you feel daunted by the idea of navigating the self-publishing journey yourself, but you don’t want to go the hybrid route, assisted self-publishing might be the path for you. (This is the service my company, A Powerful Story, offers.) You still are self-publishing, but don’t share the profits or the rights to your book, as you might with a hybrid publisher.
Advantages:
You are the publisher; you retain all rights. You purchase and hold the ISBN.
You have more editorial control, and final say on the cover and design.
You have someone to help you find reputable contractors to do editing and design.
You have a guide to help you put your book up on amazon or other online channels.
You can get your book to market quickly.
All future profits on book sales go to you.
Disadvantages:
You pay for production (editing and design) costs (which you’d do if you self-publish).
You pay a small one-time fee to your publishing guide to project manage getting your book into the world.
When authors work with A Powerful Story, we pull together a team of professional editors and designers. We manage all the different aspects of setting them up on Ingram Spark or Kindle Direct Publishing, coordinate editing and design. Once the book is published, all royalties go directly to the author.
Not sure which path is right for you? Request a free consultation by clicking here.
Readers, what’s been your experience with publishing? Have you tried any of these paths? Share your story with us in the comments section below.
I’ll be at the conference as well 🎉