Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing, No-Name vs. Branded

So, you’ve written your book. Congrats. Now comes the hard part: deciding if and how to publish it.

Traditional publishing: a time-tested route with the potential for prestige, professional support, and a guaranteed readership.

Self-publishing: a more flexible, DIY option where you’re in control — but also doing a lot of the heavy lifting yourself and zero support from a big brand.

Traditional Publishing: The (unattainable) Dream

For many writers, traditional publishing is the ultimate goal. Having your book picked up by a major publisher, getting it into bookstores, and possibly even seeing your name on a bestseller list. But before you start imagining that book tour, remember this: the journey to traditional publishing isn’t as simple as sending a manuscript and waiting for your bank account to fill up.

You do get:

• Industry Credibility: There’s prestige that comes with being published by a well-known publisher. It’s like the literary equivalent of getting a “verified” checkmark on Instagram. Your book is considered more credible and may be taken more seriously by critics and readers.

A professional saw your pitch and decided it’s “good enough.”

• Professional Support: From editors to marketers to designers, traditional publishing houses offer a full team of professionals to help perfect your book and ensure it gets into the hands of readers. You’ll get feedback and polishing that can elevate your work.

• Wider Distribution: Traditional publishers have the networks to get your book into major bookstores, libraries, and international markets. It’s often easier to get visibility through established channels.

• Financial Support: Advance payments (while not always huge) and royalties from book sales mean you can make money upfront and potentially earn more later.

But…

• The Waiting Game: The process is slow. Really slow. After finishing your manuscript, you’ll need to submit it to agents or publishers, wait for feedback, and possibly go through multiple rounds of rejection before getting accepted. Then, there’s the long editing and production timeline before the book hits shelves.

• Creative Control: You might have to compromise on certain aspects of your book, like the title, cover design, or even the content. Publishers want to make your book fit their market, which might mean changes you don’t fully agree with.

• The Pressure to Perform: Traditional publishers expect books to sell well. If your book doesn’t hit their sales expectations, it can be tough to get a second book deal. It’s a business, and the pressure is real.

Self-Publishing: The 2nd Choice?

Self-publishing has exploded in recent years, offering authors complete control over their work. Many bestselling authors started as self-published authors and then made the transition to traditional publishing. But that’s the thing. Why choose self-publishing if you don’t have to. Because in the end traditional publishing is most people’s first choice — it’s just much harder to secure.

Think of it as the entrepreneurial route — you’re the boss, you make the decisions, and you have the freedom to take your book in whatever direction you choose. You take the risk. This option has become especially popular among indie authors and those in niche genres that aren’t typically on the radar of big publishers.

• Creative Control: With self-publishing, you have complete control over every aspect of your book, from the cover design to the formatting to the marketing strategy. You decide exactly how your story is presented to the world.

• Speed and Flexibility: The process is fast. You can publish your book as soon as it’s ready, bypassing the waiting game of traditional publishing. You’re also free to make changes and updates whenever you want, keeping the content fresh.

• Higher Royalties: While traditional publishers typically offer lower royalty percentages (around 10–15%), self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can give you up to 70% royalties on eBooks. You get to keep more of the revenue from each sale.

• Direct Connection with Readers: Self-publishing lets you connect directly with your audience, whether that’s through social media, email newsletters, or your own website. You build a relationship with your readers and get immediate feedback, which can be incredibly rewarding.

But…

• You’re alone: Self-publishing might sound liberating, but it comes with a ton of responsibility. You’re not just the writer — you’re also the editor, designer, marketer, and distributor. The more you do yourself, the less time you have for writing the next book. And if you hire freelancers, it can get expensive.

• No Guarantee of Success: While you have control, you also take on all the risks. There’s no big publisher backing you, and getting your book noticed can be tough. Marketing is your responsibility, and unless you’re a social media wizard, it might take time (and effort) to build a readership.

• Lack of Prestige: Some readers still see self-published books as less credible or polished than traditionally published works, although this perception is rapidly changing. However, there’s still a stigma in some circles that self-published books are “amateurish.”

So… which one is better?

1. Do You Want Full Creative Control?

   
   

   If you’re someone who loves the idea of making every decision about your book — from the cover to the content — then self-publishing is probably the way to go. If you’re okay with giving up some control in exchange for professional guidance and wider distribution, then traditional publishing might be a better fit.

2. Are You Patient?

   
   

   If you want your book to be published as quickly as possible, self-publishing is your best bet. The traditional publishing route can take months (sometimes even years), so if you’re itching to see your work in the world, go the self-publishing route.

3. Do You Have the Time (and Desire) to Market Your Book?

   
   

   Self-publishing means you’re also in charge of marketing your book. If you enjoy building an online presence, engaging with readers on social media, and doing your own PR, then self-publishing could be the perfect fit. If you’d rather focus solely on writing, traditional publishing might be the better option, as they often handle the marketing.

4. Do You Want the Prestige?

   
   

   If you’re hoping to land a big book deal and enjoy the credibility that comes with being traditionally published, then you’ll need to go the traditional route. However, remember that it’s a tough industry to crack, and there’s no guarantee of success, even with a publishing deal.

Try Traditional and if that doesn't work out, try KDP or Wattpad

There’s no “right” or “wrong” choice when it comes to self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. But if you’re looking for professional support, wider distribution, and the prestige of being picked up by a major publisher, traditional publishing could be the perfect fit.

Whichever route you choose, both paths are valid, and both can lead to success.