I help writers strengthen their writing and creative practice, navigate the publishing world, and turn their art into an act of rebellion.
The Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing
Published 19 days ago • 4 min read
So, you’re thinking about publishing your book and wondering which route is the best one for you, huh? There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to publishing options, and I’m here to break it down for you without the fluff. Whether you’re considering traditional publishing, self-publishing, or something in-between, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of each so you can make the right choice for your book – stick with me until the end for a special treat. If you don't want/need this education today, jump to the end of the letter to GRAB YOUR TREASURE.
Traditional Publishing (The Big Dogs)
· Pros: You get the fancy publisher’s backing, which means professional editing, a legit cover, and (hopefully) broad distribution. Plus, it’s got that credibility – it’s like wearing a designer label.
· Cons: They’re picky, and you’ve got to fight through a sea of rejection. Plus, you’ll get a smaller cut of royalties, and they control a lot of what happens to your book. It can take forever to see your book on shelves. But hey, if you’re cool with playing the long game, this might be for you.
Self-Publishing (The Rebel Way)
· Pros: You’re the boss. No one’s telling you what to do. You control everything from the writing to the marketing. Also, the royalties are better – you keep more of the money. And publishing is lightning-fast compared to traditional routes.
· Cons: The work never stops. The reality is you will likely not see your books on the shelves of B&N. You’ve got to cover everything yourself – from editing to design to marketing. No publisher is doing it for you. And you might not reach as big an audience right out of the gate. But if you’re up for it, it’s your show.
Indie Publishing & Small Press (The Cool, In-Between Kids)
· Pros: You get a mix of both worlds – you have more freedom than traditional publishing but can still get help with things like editing and distribution. It's like the indie film scene of books. You get a more personal approach with small publishers. They usually focus on specific genres or niches, so if you fit their vibe, they’ll help you get your book out there. Often higher royalties than the big publishers.
· Cons: You still need to hustle, and if you don’t have the right team or connections, it can be a tough road to get your book in front of readers. They don’t have the muscle of a major publisher, so distribution and marketing are limited.
Vanity Publishing (The “Pay to Play” Trap)
· Pros: You get published, but that’s about it. Some vanity publishers promise the moon – editing, design, even distribution (I side eye this for 99% of them).
· Cons: They charge you up the wazoo for everything. You’re paying for something that might not even be worth it. They often don’t help with actual marketing, so you’re kind of on your own.
And listen, you can always switch paths after you’ve gone down one for a while, but here’s the kicker – that has some major cons. If you’re curious about what it would take to swap gears, write me and let me know this is something you would like to hear more about, and I will include it in a future letter.
Before I wrap this up – I’ve got a gift for you! I’ve got a free ARE YOU READY TO PUBLISH CHECKLIST from another creator who knows their stuff. It’ll help you no matter what route you choose. I don't care if you've already published before, you need this checklist to make sure you aren't missing anything that could help you accelerate sales for your next book.
This checklist isn't just a list - it tells you WHY you need to do that step.
This list is for you if:
✅ You are new to publishing.
✅ You have published before.
✅ You need to know why other people are telling you to do something. Like, you need to be convinced you must follow the crowd on a step.
Make sure you download The Writer’s Ally resource before you burn this letter.
Book Recommendation:
Regardless of what path you decide to take, this book is still one of the best on publishing. If you are striving to build a sustainable career or just want to put one book out into the world, this is for you.
Click on the book to learn more.
Shout-out to the legend who put the badass checklist together—make sure you grab it from the link above or subscribe below:
The Writer's Ally
Helping serious authors to write, publish, and sell more high-quality books.
With just enough frequency to keep you informed without overloading you, my emails provide tips, tools, strategies, and opportunities to help you get more bang for your book with less stress and more results. Why should you care? Because I'm a bestselling author and expert publishing consultant who loves leveraging my 25+ years of experience with Big Five publishing and indie bestsellers, along with my team of skilled experts, to serve as your books’ best ally. We've served more than 100+ authors with editing, design, publishing, and marketing services and support to help them achieve their dreams. Are you next?
