Traditional publishing vs self publishing
For decades traditional publishing was the only realistic route into the book industry. Authors would submit manuscripts to literary agents, agents would approach publishers, and if everything aligned the book might eventually appear in print.
Today things are very different. Platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark allow authors to publish their work directly. That doesn’t make one path automatically better than the other. Each route has advantages, disadvantages, and trade-offs that authors need to understand before deciding which direction suits them.
How traditional publishing works
Traditional publishing usually involves several stages before a book ever reaches readers. The author submits their manuscript to literary agents. If an agent believes the work has commercial potential they may agree to represent the author.
The agent then approaches publishing houses in the hope that one of them will acquire the book. If accepted, the publisher typically handles editing, cover design, printing, and distribution.
In return, the author receives a royalty on sales and often gives the publisher certain rights to the work for a period of time.
Advantages of traditional publishing
- Professional editorial support
- Established distribution networks
- Access to physical bookshops
- Marketing support from the publisher
- Industry recognition and credibility
For some authors, particularly those seeking large commercial exposure or literary recognition, these advantages can be significant.
Challenges with traditional publishing
- Very competitive submission process
- Long timelines before publication
- Less control over the final product
- Lower royalty percentages
- Pressure to fit established genre expectations
The submission process alone can take months or even years, and many manuscripts never reach publication through this route. It's not unheard of for it to take two years or more for your work to get published.
Additionally don't think that if you do manage to get traditionally published you'll then get to sit back and enjoy the ride. You'll be expected to do very similar promotional work that you would do if you were self published.
How self publishing works
Self publishing removes the agent and publisher from the process. Instead, the author takes responsibility for preparing the book and distributing it through platforms such as Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or audiobook services like ACX.
The author controls the process from start to finish. That includes editing, cover design, formatting, pricing, and marketing.
While this offers far greater control, it also means the author must learn skills traditionally handled by publishing professionals.
Advantages of self publishing
- Full creative control
- Faster publishing timelines
- Higher royalty percentages
- Ability to publish longer or unconventional works
- Direct relationship with readers
For authors who enjoy the creative and technical side of publishing, self publishing can be extremely empowering.
Challenges of self publishing
- The author must manage the entire publishing process
- Up-front costs such as covers, editing, or ISBNs
- Marketing responsibility falls largely on the author
- Discoverability can be difficult for new writers
- Bookshops may be less likely to stock independently published titles
Self publishing offers freedom, but it also requires a willingness to learn and manage many different aspects of the publishing process.
Everything involved in self publishing is paid for by the author. Nothing is for free.
Genre expectations and word counts
Traditional publishing often expects manuscripts to fit within specific genre categories and typical word-count ranges. For example, some genres have unofficial expectations around the length of a debut novel.
Self publishing removes most of these constraints. Authors can experiment more freely with structure, length, and storytelling style.
That freedom can be creatively liberating, but it also means the author must decide what works best for the story rather than relying on industry norms.
Control vs support
One of the clearest differences between the two approaches is the balance between control and support.
Traditional publishing provides professional teams who help shape the book and bring it to market. Self publishing places that responsibility directly in the hands of the author.
Some writers prefer the guidance and structure of traditional publishing, while others value the independence and flexibility of doing it themselves.
My personal view
Both routes have strengths. Traditional publishing offers professional support and established distribution channels. Self publishing offers independence and creative freedom.
For many authors the decision comes down to what they want from the experience. Some writers prefer to focus entirely on writing and leave the rest to a publishing team. Others enjoy being involved in every stage of bringing a book to life.
Neither path is guaranteed to lead to success. Both require persistence, patience, and a willingness to keep improving with every book.
For me, the decision was an easy one. My writing doesn't fall into a neat genre. Its gritty and raw and there simply isn't one that fits. In addition I like to write character rich stories where the characters develop and grow with the reader.
I feel that if I were to try and go down the traditional publishing route editors would hate my work. They'd want to reduce it considerably. They love limiting an author's work to 80,000 words whcih I could never allow. I also feel they would want to rip the heart out of my work, reducing the characterisation to just a few lines, making descriptive passages one paragraph maximum. Sorry, but that's not for me. I reckognise that emersive novels aren't for everyone, and that's fine. But they are what I like to write.
Quick takeaway
Traditional publishing offers support and distribution. Self publishing offers control and flexibility. The right choice depends on the author’s goals and working style.