Publishing Your Book
One Author's Real-World Breakdown of the pros and cons of Self-Publishing, Indie Presses, Agents, and the Big 5 Dream...from my experience, of course.
Hey guys, apologies for the late post today but I just went back to night shift at my *day* job so it’s going to take a moment to get my schedule under control again. Anyhoo…
This week I wanted to start at the end, in a way. Let’s say you’ve written your book. You’ve edited it to death and BETA readers are loving it! Now what…
One of the main questions I get asked almost weekly is “What’s the best way to publish my book? I have no idea where to start.”
Listen y’all. I feel like I’ve said this every week, but I’m no expert in this field. But if there is one thing I’m proficient at its researching pros and cons before making a decision.
And I researched this one to death.
I feel like I have at least an amateur’s lifetime worth of insight when it comes to when and how to publish a novel.
The truth is there’s no “best” way to publish. So, toss that assumption out the door. The eBook boom of 2012 made it easier than ever to publish your novel alone and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. If only it were that simple, right? Each route—self-publishing, signing with an indie press, or shooting for a Big 5 traditional deal—is more nuanced than any glossy headline can explain. But I’m going to try…
When I finished my first novel, Still, Dark Places, I’d spent years learning my craft but barely any time building an audience of readers. The following I did manage to obtain came from my art content, not writing, and I knew I needed to get my pen name out there in the book world.
As most of you know, I signed my first two novels with an indie publisher. I carefully reviewed the list of perks that would be afforded to me once I signed on with them. Perks like a much larger royalty agreement than trad-pub, promo assistance, professional editing and formatting services, and the backing of an established business within the industry. All valuable. But there was one perk that attracted me more than the others. The pre-established ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) team. For those reading this that don’t know what an ARC team is, essentially, it’s a group of dedicated readers (with or without a book platform but preferably with) that get a free copy of your book ahead of publication with the intent to read and review it ahead of release day. This helps drive traffic to your novel as well as gives it some credibility on release day with thorough, well thought out reviews. Some even go as far as helping to promote the books release. An ARC team is a valuable weapon in any author’s arsenal. It was a weapon I didn’t have at that time. As an author, I can tell you the most important thing in your author arsenal…are readers.
Aside from 100+ ARC readers, signing with a smaller press offered me what every author quietly craves: validation. With any work of art, especially by someone thoroughly unknown, you get more ‘street credit’ when someone within the community you want to join vouches for you. I just needed someone established within the industry to lay eyes on my manuscript and tell me if it was strong enough to stand on its own legs beside the titans in my genre.
I got exactly what I needed, and I don’t regret going the indie publisher route at all. The ARC team laid the foundation for my own ARC/BETA teams, and I’ve gained a modest following of readers that seem to genuinely enjoy my work. I no longer feel like such a novice when it comes to maintaining a literary platform and I feel like I can stand on my own two legs if I need to. That’s more of a gain than I hoped for.
PSA though: VET YOUR PEOPLE!
Wherever there’s money to be made, there’s money to be stolen. You do NOT want to end up chasing down unpaid royalties like so many authors before you. Do your research and hold them to their commitment. Shady dealings usually don’t hide well for long. Make sure to know your rights and the moment you see a slip in the exchange of payment, lawyer up. Your reputation and rights to your work are worth the cost of a defense team.
NO family emergency or personal turmoil are a good reason for a BUSINESS to not pay you your dues.
Which brings us to the Pros and Cons of Signing with an Indie Publisher:
An indie publisher is a small to mid-size press that signs your book, handles editing, design, and distribution. They may offer niche marketing support as well.
Pros:
No Upfront Cost to the Author: As the product, you should never be paying a publisher to sign or distribute your novel if they identify as an indie-press. Reputable indie presses invest in their authors. Not charge them. If they ask you to pay…run.
Personal Touch: Small teams often equal better communication and better flexibility. There is a certain brand loyalty when it comes to indie relationships.
Community Credibility: Being part of a publisher’s catalog gives your work (and you) legitimacy. This is useful if you have not already built your brand in other ways.
Lower Barrier Entry: Many indie presses are open to un-agented submissions.
Cons:
Smaller Advances: Some pay modest advances or none at all. This is usually in exchange for a higher royalty exchange.
You’ll Still Market: They may help with marketing, but you’ll carry a huge part of the marketing yourself. This may not be a bad thing considering, all authors should be able to market themselves to some extent. I’ve even gone as far as adding Marketing as my minor at my college.
Quality Varies: Some indie presses are amazing; other vanish overnight. Vet carefully.
Watch Your Rights: Read contracts line by line. Don’t give away your book for life.
Self-publishing essentially means that you are your own publisher. You hire your own editor, cover designer, formatter, and run your own marketing. You can always learn to do these things yourself, as well. Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital make it possible and, a lot of the time, free to actually publish.
Pros:
Full Creative Control: Every word, cover, and title is your call.
Higher Royalties: 70% (Amazon eBook) to ~40% (paperbacks) beats 10% traditional.
Fast Release: If you want it out tomorrow, you can hit publish tomorrow. One of my favorite authors used to be notorious for dropping a new release on a lark at midnight with no leadup.
Direct Audience Connection: You own your reader list and sales data.
Cons:
Upfront Costs: A good editor is like toilet paper or cheese. It’s just one of those things you don’t want to cheap out on. Plan for $1000-$3500 at least, to do it right. And for God’s sake…again…vet your people. Proficiency in grammar, punctuation, and knowledge of style guides are not to be taken lightly.
You Handle Marketing: See how this keeps coming up? May as well get good at it. With Self-Pub there is no team pitching your book for you. It’s all on you and your hustle.
Store Placement is RARE: Most brick & mortar stores won’t stock self-published books without legit legwork.
Lingering Stigma: I would think with self-published indie authors like Kennedy Ryan and Tarryn Fischer making big waves in the industry that we would be beyond the stigma attached to publishing without a traditional publisher. Alas, there is still some level of snobbery floating around when it comes to doing it yourself. I’ve personally experienced this more from non-writers. Writers have usually done the research and know better than to throw their nose up at someone who's fully committed to investing in themself over playing the publishing game. But there is still a level of resistance when it comes to doing everything yourself. So, prepare for the comments from the ignorant like “Anyone can publish a book.”
Which brings us to…
This is virtually every writer’s dream.
This is the kind of publishing even non-writers acknowledge and recognize. Landing a deal with a major publisher like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Shuster, Macmillan, or Hatchette. Typically, these publishers are only accessed through an agent who pitches your work for you.
Pros:
Prestige: Let’s be honest, it still turns heads.
Professional Team: You gain access to the top editors, designers, and sales reps in the industry.
Wide Distribution: ‘Wide’ distribution means you have a better shot at major bookstores, libraries, awards, and reviews.
Advance Payment: You usually get paid and advance up front. Most beginning authors can expect an advance between 5k and 50k depending on the circumstances. Usually this is accompanied with a smaller royalty share.
Cons:
Highly Competitive: I’m not talking about competition for readers. I’m talking about competition to get signed in the first place. A little healthy competition among equals wouldn’t be a bad thing BUT it’s not just accomplished authors you’re up against. It’s celebrities and politicians whose names guarantee sales. Big 5 deals are a blood sport with a profit driven mind, in my opinion, where name recognition often trumps literary merit. King is a wonderful author, and I love him dearly, but there’s a reason why his name is just as big, if not bigger, than the title on most of his book covers these days.
Tiny Royalties: Usually, a Big 5 royalty deal offers the author 5-15% after the advance is paid back.
Limited Creative Say: Your royalties are so small because your advance would be a lot higher. And your publisher will have put forth all of the upfront cost for your novel and probably didn’t spare any expense doing it. Because of this, they can change your title, cover, and even make significant edits where they see fit.
What I’m Doing Next—And What You Might Consider:
For my third novel, I’m planning a new adventure while I still have the financial wiggle room to experiment. I’ve decided I want to either try self-publishing solo or querying agents for a traditional deal. I’m determined to learn firsthand which route fits my books and my readers best. FYI: It’s okay if each book requires a different journey. And it’s okay to experiment until you figure out what works for you. I plan to query agents for three months and if I get no bites, I’m self-publishing…proudly.
One thing I know for sure: you never know what works until you try it.
In short
For control and higher royalties (And you can afford the upfront cost of publication): Go indie.
Want prestige and bookstore reach (And you can handle rejection lol): Query for traditional.
If you want a balance of support and flexibility: Look for a solid indie press.
Whatever you choose, do your homework, protect your rights, and trust your intuition!
Are you weighing your publishing options? Have you walked one of these paths and want to share your experience? Feel free to leave your stories in the comments. Let’s figure this out together!
Here are some writing podcasts and industry professionals that I have reaped a world of information from since starting my publishing journey.
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast
Literary Podcast Host and Author Bianca Marais
Hope this helps! See you next Sunday <3
