5 Reasons Self-Publishing Might Be Your Best Decision
Pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing
I am the author of 15 books. I just wrapped up a 3-part series entitled What’s it like to be a published author?
*Due to technical difficulties during the total solar eclipse when I published Part 3, it didn’t get emailed to those subscribed. If you’re reading this in your email, please click to read Part 3 | My journey to self-publishing.
I have been traditionally published three times, and the rest are all self-published. There has never been a better time to self-publish. Thanks to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishers (KDP) and Ingramspark, the doors are wide open for authors to become published for free or with little to no money at all.
As a dreamer, I find more freedom and creativity in self-publishing.
Here is a list of 5 reasons self-publishing might be your best decision.
Self-publishing is no longer just a “plan B.” Don’t have an agent and a bazillion of followers online? Self-publishing may be a better fit than the traditional publishing route.
The eBook market is exploding with growth. Want to test the waters of self-publishing? Starting with an eBook is the best way since online stores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many more make selling your e-book online a doable reality.
Self-publishing is not as difficult as you might think. Print-on-demand with KDP and Ingramspark has become a viable option for writers who want to make a print version of their book available without paying thousands of dollars upfront.
Traditional publishers will now sign authors if his or her self-published books are selling! It used to be taboo to self-publish. Now, self-publishing is the perfect opportunity to grow your craft and make your books available while you continue to increase your online presence.
Self-publishing is perfect for niche books that aren’t the best fit for traditional publishers. Want to write and publish a book that isn’t broad enough for the general markets of traditional publishing? Self-publishing is your best option! For instance, when I signed with Harvest House Publishers in 2010 for Not Another Dating Book, my editor suggested I write and self-publish an eBook on breakups called Loves Me Not. I did and it was my best seller until I discontinued it years later.
Still skeptical about self-publishing?
Here is a list of pros and cons
Traditional Publishing PROS:
You don't have to pay for a professional editor
You don't have to pay for book cover design
You usually get paid upfront in the form of an advance
Your books have access to distribution channels that self-publishing often doesn't have access to
They have a sales and marketing budget to share your book nationwide
Sometimes publishers pay you to travel to visit them, events, or author signings
Traditional Publishing CONS:
You don't always have a say in your book title, format, editing, and/or book cover design
Publishers don't always follow through with their contractual agreements, marketing, etc.
Publishers have the right to cancel your contract (this happened to me)
If your book doesn't sell well in pre-sales or within the first three months of your release, they discontinue your book (this happened to me)
You don't own the rights to your book
To buy the rights back of your discontinued book means purchasing all remaining copies in their warehouse for a discounted rate which costs thousands of dollars (this happened to me)
If you don't sell at least 5,000 copies you probably won't be asked back for a second book, and if you have a second book contract they might not treat you like a number and move on to someone else who is selling more than you (this happened to me)
You still have to do most of the marketing yourself
After your advance, you may never see another dime on your book especially when online retailers like Amazon return all the copies of your book to your publisher that aren’t selling (this happened to me)
Returns hurt your royalties/paycheck (see above)
You have to wait around two years to see your book release
You don't have control over the date your book launches
Buying copies of your books plus shipping for events are pricy
Royalty Rates aren't as great as self-publishing
You have a hard time getting a contract unless you are famous or have a large email list
Self-Publishing PROS:
No false promises
No contracts
Release your book when you feel the timing is right
NEW: You can schedule the prerelease of your book
You own the rights to your book
Buying copies of your book is super reasonable
You generally collect royalties monthly for three months after its initial release
Royalty rates are better than traditional publishing
You can hire a graphic designer to make your book look just as good as a traditionally published book
You can still work with a literary agent to brainstorm on other projects
Your book prints on demand and you don't have to buy your book in bulk
It’s FREE to publish on KDP
Self-publishing is no longer considered taboo or plan B
If your self-published book does well, a traditional publisher might pick it up!
Most people buy their books on Amazon—which gives your self-published book the best option to be purchased
You have a say in every part of the creative process of publishing your book including title, format, editing, and book cover design
Self Publishing CONS:
The sales & marketing budget depends only on you
You can’t always get your book into markets or distribution channels that traditional publishers can
You have to pay for an editor, graphic designer, etc. to edit your book (unless you know people to trade and/or barter with)
Vanity publishers like Westbow, Xulon Press, and Lulu cost you money to self-publish, and they don't offer coaching to help you write, design, or market your book
If your book looks like a self-published book, this may detour others from valuing your work as you do or hiring you as a speaker (one of the reasons why I coach authors on how to self-publish)
Self-publishing is evergreen.
Unlike traditional publishing, I have the final say about my book title, cover, and release date. I don’t have the pressure to sell as many copies as possible three months before the release date of my book to get another book contract. I can now schedule the book to release when I am ready! I no longer have to be “famous” or slave away on social media to sell a certain amount of copies to stay relevant.
I don’t regret my journey as a traditionally published author because I learned what a professional book looks and feels like. I now channel all my creative energy into self-publishing quality books for myself and others.
If you’re interested in becoming a published author and believe self-publishing is your best decision, I can help! Contact me for more information about my coaching and other services to get your book online today!
Dear Renee,
I just helped my friend Julie Bayles self-publish her book, “We ARE Stronger Together!” We learned everything together step by step. It was tiring, a challenge, and the formatting cost more than we hoped due to our quest for excellent quality, but we persevered. Everything you said is spot on!
Bayles challenge now is managing the financials and all the book signings and sales. We hardly found material on the business part of sales, taxes, and setting yourself up for the accounting part of being a writer.
Each step was more challenging than the previous one: writing, publishing, then marketing/selling, but she is 100% convinced she wanted to keep all the rights and have all the decision-making power, not to mention having the greatest profit margin!
Thanks for your information and affirmation that we were/are on the right track.
God bless you,
C Harvey
Lindenhurst, IL