Congratulations!

You’ve written your first book.
Now what?

Well…now you’ll want to get it published. But how? Should you seek a publishing contract with a traditional commercial publisher like Random House or St. Martin’s Press? Or should you go right to self-publishing? The success of your book, and your success as a writer, can hang on making the right call.

So let’s look at the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional commercial publishing.

Advantages of Self-Publishing

• It’s quick. Your book can be available for purchase at online booksellers within a few weeks.

• It’s cheap. Unless you get sucked into buying a costly editorial or book promotion package (my advice: don’t waste your money), you can have the cover art and interior layout done for a thousand dollars or less.

• It’s easy. As long as your check clears the bank, they’ll publish your book.

• You’ll maintain all literary control. Unless your book has potential libel or other legal issues, the self-publishing firm won’t mess with the content in order to improve sales viability.

• You’ll enjoy higher royalties. Since you’ll be paying the publishing costs, your per-copy earnings will be higher than with traditional publishing.

Disadvantages of Self-Publishing

• It’ll be up to you to generate book sales. Unless you spend time promoting your book—on social media, via direct email campaigns, through book signings, and generally just pounding the pavement—you’ll likely sell fewer than a thousand copies.

• Book-promotion packages offered by large self-publishing firms rarely generate high sales numbers, despite their promises.

• Some companies create more professional looking books than others. Some provide stock designs for the cover. Some don’t offer professional editorial staff. Some don’t concern themselves with whether your book is a success. They just take their fee and publish.

• Bottom line: If you self-publish, it’s important to thoroughly vet any company you choose to work with.

The Advantages of Traditional Publishing 

• Your book will get noticed. If your book is released by a major commercial publisher, influential book reviewers and booksellers will pay attention, and this will generate healthy sales numbers.

• You’re more likely to reach a wide audience. This is critical if you hope to launch a writing career.

• You won’t have to worry about whether you will have access to professional editors. Major commercial publishers hire good editors, and they’ll make sure your book is as good as it can be before it’s published.

• You won’t have to pay a dime. The publisher will take care of cover art, page layout, distribution, and promotion.

The Disadvantages of Traditional Publishing 

• Your book will have to reach their high threshold. Traditional publishers want to publish books that will appeal to a large audience of readers. Unfortunately, that sometimes takes precedence over literary merit.

• You’ll have to secure the representation of a literary agent. Most major commercial publishers depend on literary agents to screen submissions, and you won’t even get your foot in the door without a legitimate, competent agent holding it open for you.

• The publisher’s schedule may not fit yours. The commercial publishing process can drag out for years, even after you’ve signed a publishing contract.