You’ve finally finished your manuscript – congratulations – that’s already a huge achievement! Now you’re staring at the big question: should you go the traditional publishing route or take the self publishing plunge?
I get asked this question all the time in my writing coach sessions, and honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on your goals, your budget, your timeline, and your tolerance for uncertainty and hard work.
Let’s break down both paths so you can make an informed decision about your first book.
Traditional publishing: the established route
Traditional publishing is what most people think of when they imagine becoming an author. You write a book, find an agent, the agent sells it to a publisher, and you’re officially published.
Here’s how traditional publishing works:
The publisher handles everything – editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and marketing. You don’t pay upfront costs, and if they accept your book, you’ll typically get an advance payment (usually between £5,000-£15,000 for first-time authors, though it varies widely).
The pros:
- Zero financial risk – You don’t pay anything upfront
- Professional team – Editors, designers, and marketers handle the heavy lifting
- Advance payment – Money in your pocket before the book even hits shelves
- Bookstore distribution – Your book could appear in physical stores
- Prestige factor – There’s still prestige associated with saying “I’m traditionally published”
- Industry validation – Someone in the business believed in your work enough to invest in it
The cons (and they’re significant):
- Terrible odds – Getting accepted is incredibly difficult, especially for first-timers
- Slow timeline – Usually about one to two years from acceptance to publication
- Low royalty rates – You’ll typically earn 8-15% per book sold
- Loss of control – Publisher decides your cover, title, marketing approach, and more
- Agent hunting – You need to find a literary agent first, which is its own process
- Marketing responsibility – Despite what people think, you’ll still do most of your own marketing
The reality is that most traditionally published authors still need day jobs. The advance might seem nice, but if your book doesn’t “earn out” (sell enough copies to pay back that advance), getting a second book deal becomes much harder.
Self Publishing: the “DIY” route
Self publishing means you’re the boss – and that’s both exciting and terrifying. With self publishing, you handle (or hire people to handle) every aspect of bringing your book to market. Thanks to platforms like Amazon KDP, it’s never been easier to get your book published and available worldwide.
Here’s what self publishing looks like:
You write the book, get it edited, design the cover, format the interior, upload it to publishing platforms, and then market it yourself. The good news? You keep 60-70% of the profits and maintain complete control.
The pros:
- Creative control – Your book, your rules
- Speed – You can be published in months, not years
- Higher royalties – 60-70% for ebooks vs. 8-15% traditional
- Flexibility – Change your price, update content, try different marketing approaches
- Rights retention – You own everything
- Multiple formats – Publish ebook, paperback, audiobook – whatever you want
The cons:
- Significant upfront investment – Expect to spend about £2,000 to £3000 for professional editing, design, and basic marketing.
- You’re the marketing department – This is where most self-published authors fail
- No bookstore presence – Getting into physical stores is much harder without serious sales numbers
- Quality control responsibility – If your book sucks, that’s on you
- Limited sales without audience – The average self-published book sells only about 50 copies (ouch)
The Honest Comparison
So which route should you choose?
Go traditional If:
- You don’t mind waiting two or more years for publication
- You don’t want to invest your own money upfront
- You want the validation and prestige of traditional publishing
- You’re comfortable giving up creative control for professional support
- You have the patience for the agent-querying marathon
- Your book fits mainstream market categories
Choose self-publishing If:
- You want your book published quickly
- You have money to invest in professional editing and design
- You already have an audience or platform to market to
- You want complete creative control
- You’re comfortable being responsible for marketing
- You’re writing niche or specialized content
- You’re using the book to support your business or personal brand
The truth about first-time authors
Most first-time authors, regardless of which path they choose, don’t make much money from their books initially.
Traditional publishing offers the illusion of “making it,” but unless you’re one of the lucky few whose publisher really gets behind your book with a serious marketing budget, you’ll still be doing most of the promotional work yourself.
Self publishing offers more control and higher royalty rates, but without an existing audience or serious marketing work, most self-published books disappear into the void.
My honest recommendation?
If you’re writing fiction and dream of seeing your book in Barnes & Noble, try the traditional route first – but give yourself a deadline. If you haven’t found an agent after two years of serious querying, consider self publishing.
If you’re writing non-fiction, especially if it relates to your business or expertise, self publishing often makes more sense. You can publish faster, price more competitively, and maintain control over your content.
Getting support either way
Whether you choose traditional or self publishing, you don’t have to go it alone. A good writing coach can help you strengthen your manuscript before you submit to agents or invest in self publishing. Writing coaches can also help you navigate the publishing process, avoid common pitfalls, and develop realistic expectations.
If you’re leaning toward self publishing, consider enrolling in online writing courses that cover not just the craft of writing, but also the business side of publishing. Understanding cover design, platform building and book marketing can make the difference between a book that sells 50 copies and one that finds its audience.
The creative writing process is challenging enough without trying to figure out the publishing world on your own. Having someone in your corner who understands both the craft and business sides can save you time, money, and a lot of heartache.
Ready to take the next step with your manuscript? Whether you’re planning to query agents or considering the self publishing route, I’d love to help you strengthen your book and navigate the publishing process. Check out my one-to-one coaching programs or my self-publishing course designed for new writers ready to take charge of publishing their work. Your book deserves the best chance at success – let’s make sure it gets there.