Category: the joy of publishing

the joy of publishing

Is it Better to Self-Publish or Get a Publisher?

In the world of modern publishing, authors are faced with a crucial decision: whether it is better to self-publish or get a traditional publisher. Each path has its merits and drawbacks, making the choice a complex and individual one. Today we will explore the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision on whether it’s better to self-publish or get a publisher for your book.

Self-Publishing Pros

Creative Control and Flexibility: Self-publishing typically grants authors complete creative control over their work. From cover design to formatting, you have the final say in every aspect of your book’s presentation. Additionally, you are typically in control of how long your book takes to be published, allowing for greater flexibility and faster publication compared to the lengthy process of traditional publishing.

Higher Royalties: Self-published authors often earn higher royalties per book sale compared to traditionally published authors. By eliminating the middleman, you can retain a more substantial portion of your book’s profits, potentially making self-publishing a more financially rewarding choice in the long run.

Direct Reader Engagement: As a self-published author, you can establish direct connections with your readers through social media, author websites, and book signings. This personalized engagement can lead to a loyal fan base, word-of-mouth recommendations, and increased book sales.

Self-Publishing Cons

Marketing and Promotion: Self-publishing often requires authors to take on a large roler in the marketing and promotion of the book. While the digital landscape offers ample opportunities for targeted advertising, building visibility and gaining recognition may demand significant time and effort.

Quality Control: Without the editorial expertise of a traditional publishing house, ensuring top-notch editing and formatting can be challenging. Authors must invest in professional design and editing services to maintain the same level of quality found in traditionally published books.

Traditional Publishing Pros

Credibility and Prestige: Traditional publishing comes with a seal of approval from reputable publishing houses, adding credibility to your book. Readers, booksellers, and literary critics often regard traditionally published works as more professional and polished.

Editorial and Design Assistance: Traditional publishers offer comprehensive editorial and design support, ensuring your book reaches its full potential. Professional editors work closely with authors to refine their manuscripts, enhancing the overall quality of the final product.

Marketing and Distribution Support: Even though traditionally published authors nowadays are expected to take an active role in the marketing and promotion of their book, traditional publishers have more established networks and resources for marketing and distribution. With their expertise, your book can reach a wider audience and gain more exposure in bookstores, libraries, and online platforms.

Traditional Publishing Cons

Longer Publishing Timeline: Traditional publishing involves a longer process, from querying agents or publishers to signing contracts and undergoing edits. This can delay your book’s release by several months or even years.

Limited Creative Control: Authors often need to relinquish some or all creative control to fit within the publisher’s vision and market demands. This may involve extensive changes to your content as well as to what you’ve always envisioned for your cover.

Lower Royalties: While traditional publishers offer the advantage of widespread distribution, the royalty rates are typically much lower for authors compared to self-publishing.

Competitive Selection Process: Perhaps the biggest con to traditional publishing is how difficult it is to have this choice to begin with. Getting a book accepted by a traditional publisher is highly competitive, and even many well-written manuscripts rarely make the cut.

So, is it better to self-publish a book or try to get a traditional publisher? Ultimately, the decision between self-publishing and traditional publishing depends on your goals, resources, and preferences as an author. Self-publishing offers creative freedom, higher royalties, and control over marketing, while traditional publishing provides credibility, marketing support, and wider distribution.

Carefully consider your objectives, budget, and willingness to take on marketing responsibilities. Whichever path you choose, remember that the publishing journey is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, offering a chance to share your literary voice with the readers everywhere and leave your legacy for the world.

Advocacy in Self-Publishing, Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, the joy of publishing

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 08/28/2015

WHY SHOULD I PUBLISH? Part IV – The JOY

Oh, yes! Joy is definitely a defining and delectable feeling that comes with being a published author.  When I was asked to autograph my book for the first time, I suddenly realized that I had not taken the advice of my author-friends to prepare a short sentence for these occasions.  Yet, within my next heartbeat, the phrasing flowed forth.  Since then, I’ve honed it a bit and definitely change it up considering the person who will walk away with my book.  Someone once told me that I’d get tired of autographing books.  At this time, I doubt it!

The Joy of Publishing

SO…on to the next joyous elements of being that published author.

  • Prestige—Respect—Acknowledgement. In recent years the literary world’s perspective of publishing with a traditional publisher versus self-publishing has narrowed considerably. Readers are searching for excellent writers in their genre-of-choice in both arenas and admire the authors who have done the work and written an exceptional book.
  • Connection-s. There is something very special about an author’s connection with their readers. When those words on the page talk to the person who is turning the pages magic It matters little whether the book is fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, cookbook or a photographic collection of bird species around the world. When the author’s enthusiasm for their topic touches the passion within the reader that becomes a marvelous connection, indeed!
  • Open Doors. Several years ago, an author friend told me that she continues to write and publish because “…even when you’re sleeping, someone in the world is reading what you’ve written.” When writers publish that first book, this statement can seem a bit exaggerated. However, consider the ease with which readers can access the internet these days, find your book, and have access to it instantly. Don’t be surprised when someone from another state—or country—sends you an email asking questions about the content of your book or simply wanting to “meet” the author and thank you!
  • Continuing Education. Once you’ve published that first book, you’ll be amazed by ALL that you’ll learn in the areas of marketing from developing your “tribe” of folks who share interest in your field to improving your skills in the multi-media avenues of promotion. If you’re thinking that you’d prefer not to get involved in all of this, so you’ll wait for a traditional publisher to pick up your book(s), please think again. TP’s will do some initial work in this area, but every author will need to learn these elements in order to keep their book “alive” in the eyes of today’s readers.
  • Writers I know who have published are actively writing their next book(s). I’m sure you’ve heard the cliché statement that “A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.” The same is true for the writer—A Writer is a Writer is a Writer.  It is an addiction that fills your mind and heart, cannot be denied, and will give you GREAT JOY in return.

And, so we have it!  After looking at the pros and cons of traditional publishing versus self-publishing, digging a little deeper into the publishing processes, and talking a bit about literary agents and publishing contracts, you’re now aware of the main pieces to include as you make your decisions. It is my hope that your passion for what you’re writing will bring you the JOY of being the published author you’re meant to be! ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.  

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.