Publishing Path Comparisons

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

You may be an expert in your industry, but that doesn’t mean you understand the publishing world, or the paths you can take within it. And in truth, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you self-publish or traditionally publish, each path has distinct benefits and challenges. And both paths are valid.

But “right” path to publishing is the one that aligns best with you.

Self-Publishing Overview and Steps to Success

Self-publishing offers you ultimate control over the publishing process, but it comes with its share of challenges. You have to shoulder the entire up-front cost, but you can set your prices and don’t share a cut of the money, you decide your marketing strategy, and you determine when to publish your next book.

When it comes to self publishing, the entirety of getting your book ready to be on the shelf is in your hands. Which means you cannot write it, then put it on the shelf as is! You need to take on the services a traditional publisher usually covers so your book can look as professional as the ones they put out. Because if your book doesn’t look professional, it likely won’t get bought…

When self publishing remember to:

1. 1. Hire a Freelance Editor: Your manuscript needs a professional touch. An editor can refine your language, eliminate errors, and improve readability. Check out ,ACES Editors to find a good one!
   2. Make Editorial Revisions: Based on the feedback from your editor, revise your manuscript. This step is crucial to improving the quality of your work.
   3. Hire a Designer: Your book’s cover design plays a significant role in attracting readers. Hiring a professional designer can help create an impactful cover.
   4. Decide the Platforms: Choose the platforms where you want to sell your book, such as Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, etc.
   5. Hire a Formatter: A well-formatted book ensures a smooth reading experience. Hiring a professional for this task can save you the trouble of mastering formatting tools like Vellum, or Adobe InDesign, especially if you’re not planning to publish frequently.
   6. Develop a Launch Plan: A successful book launch requires careful planning and continuous marketing efforts. Make sure you have a plan in place. You can’t simply upload your book to Amazon and expect it to sell thousands of copies without promotion!

Traditional Publishing Overview and Steps to Success

Traditional publishing involves pitching your book to publishing houses or agents. This process can take years, and many successful authors have received hundreds of rejections before someone accepted their manuscript. And even if an agent accepts your manuscript, that agent then has to find a publisher to sell it too. You will have to be patient, and persistent.

However, the payoff can be worth the effort. When you go this route, there are no upfront costs to you. The agent accepts the responsibility of selling your book to a publisher with a promised percentage of the contract. They do the heavy lifting, source contacts within the publishing world, and can get more eyes on your book then you could alone. Plus when you work with a major publisher, you get the benefits of their resources, designers, and marketing teams who have launched many successful books. The only caveat? They might not agree to sell your book unless you make certain changes.

Here’s how you can navigate the traditional publishing process:

1. 1. Find an Appropriate Agent: Start by finding a literary agent who specializes in your genre. Websites like ,manuscriptwishlist.com provide a comprehensive list of agents along with their preferences. Create a list of agents to contact.
   2. Write a Compelling Query Letter: Your query letter should hook the agent with the first line, include a story synopsis, and pitch your author credentials. It is your selling point for why they should want to sell your book to a publisher.
   3. Select the Best Publishing House: Once an agent agrees to represent you, they will try to sell your book to various publishing houses. They help you secure the best contract and get your book accepted by the publishing house.
   4. Complete Revisions and Final Design Reviews: Your manuscript will go through another round of revisions and design reviews before it gets published. Remember, traditional publishing is slow, sometimes it can be a year or two before your book hits the market!

There are many considerations when it comes to your publishing route. But the choice needs to be what works best for you! Want more control over the process? Self publishing might be better. Want to hand it off to the experts? Traditional publishing could be the best route.