What is different between self-publishing and traditional publishing?

Authors need to choose between self-publishing, hybrid publishing or traditional publishing. The decision should be made based on the author and the book. There are several points to consider, let’s go through them one at a time.

Royalties

A traditional publisher may offer you an advance but you will earn very little in royalties, maybe 10% to 15% on average. Plus, you earn royalties after they have earned back your advance. As a self-published author you keep all royalties. As a hybrid published author, there are many options in this realm. The more you pay out of pocket for expenses, the more you should receive in royalties, the less you pay out of pocket, the less you can expect in royalties. You choose your royalties based on the choices you make because you choose who prints and distributes your book.

Recognition

If you publish through a traditional publisher, that means someone else besides you is willing to put money on the line for your book and that says something. Self- published authors still get recognition for publishing an awesome book everyone wants to read, if you produce a high-quality book and promote it well.

Earnings

If you go the traditional route and receive an advance and the book flops and sells nothing, you don’t lose money. If it is a wild success, you will earn less through traditional publishing than you would if you self-published.

Project Management

A traditional publisher and a hybrid publisher should do the project management for you, saving you time and mental and emotional energy. If you self-publish, then you do all the work or hire someone to do it and manage them.

Project Control

Traditional publishers will take much of the control out of your hands. They are putting in the money and taking the risk so they get to control the project.
Self-publishing, well it’s your baby, your money and your risk. Hybrid is somewhere in between, as per usual, and depends on who you decide to work with and what you negotiate. This is also true for who edits your book, the book cover and the book design. Both traditional and hybrid publishers will have their staff. As a self-published author, you hire who you like for each stage of the process.,

Speed of Publishing

As a self-published author, you can write and publish your book as fast as you can work. Traditional publishers will take at least a year after signing you on to get your book to market.

Hybrid is faster than traditional but you may get stuck in line as they may only have so many people on staff.

With Hybrid publishing, these issues depend on who you work with and what they offer. If you are considering a Hybrid model, write out what is important to you, how much you will spend, what kind of support you need, what you are good at and what you are not good at, and then find a hybrid publisher that complements your needs and your strengths.

Before you decide on a publishing path, know what is important to you, how much risk you are willing to take and how much support you would like along the way.

Download Author Nation’s Publishing Checklist to get started on your book.

– Keep writing

Melody Ann

Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.

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