For many writers, the dream of seeing their book on the shelves of major bookshops is closely linked to traditional publishing. However, the landscape of publishing has evolved dramatically over the centuries.
The invention of the Gutenberg Printing Press in 1439 revolutionised the dissemination of literature, making books more widely available and setting the stage for modern publishing. Since then, trusted publishers have helped many authors spread their stories around the world with great success. Now in today's world, with the rise of digital platforms and print-on-demand services, self-publishing has become an increasingly viable and attractive option for those that would rather hold more power over their creative works.
Both routes have their advantages and drawbacks, and choosing the right one depends on your goals, creative control preferences, and willingness to handle the business side of publishing. Below, we explore the pros and cons of each path in greater detail to help you make an informed decision.
Traditional Publishing
Traditional publishing has long been considered the gold standard. Signing a contract with a well-known publisher offers credibility, professional editing, design, and access to wide distribution. Bookshops, libraries, and mainstream media tend to favour traditionally published books, and in some cases, authors receive an advance payment before their book even hits the shelves.
Pros of Traditional Publishing:
- Prestige and Credibility – Traditional publishers have a long-established reputation, and being published by a well-known house adds legitimacy to your work. This can be particularly helpful for new authors looking to build their career.
- Professional Editing and Design – A team of skilled editors, cover designers, and layout experts ensure your book meets industry standards and has a polished, professional look. The traditional publishers pay for everything so the author has no financial outlay at all.
- Wider Distribution – Traditional publishers have strong distribution networks, allowing books to be stocked in major bookshops, libraries, and even international markets.
- Advance Payments – In quite rare occasions, traditional publishers offer an advance against future royalties, providing some financial security before sales even begin.
- Marketing and Publicity Support – While not guaranteed, some traditionally published books receive marketing campaigns, media coverage, and bookshop promotions.
Cons of Traditional Publishing:
- Loss of Creative Control – Publishers have the final say on key decisions, including cover design, title, and sometimes even content edits, which may not align with the author’s vision. Once you hand over your manuscript under a signed deal, you are giving them licence to publish as they want.
- Low Royalties – Traditionally published authors typically earn only 7-10% royalties per sale, compared to much higher percentages in self-publishing.
- Slow Payment Cycles – Royalties are paid infrequently, usually six months apart (i.e. twice a year), which can make financial planning difficult.
- Highly Competitive and Lengthy Process – Securing a book deal often requires finding a literary agent, writing multiple drafts, and enduring long submission and approval processes, which can take years even when successful.
- Limited Marketing Support for Most Authors – While some books receive substantial marketing efforts, many midlist and debut authors must handle much of their own promotion, despite being traditionally published.
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing, on the other hand, gives authors complete creative and financial control over their work. With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Apple Books, it is easier than ever to publish and distribute books worldwide.
Pros of Self-Publishing:
- Higher Royalties – Self-published authors can earn anywhere from 35% to 70% in royalties per sale, significantly higher than traditional publishing offers.
- Complete Creative Control – Authors retain full control over their book’s content, title, cover design, and pricing, ensuring their vision remains intact.
- Faster Time to Market – Unlike traditional publishing, which can take years, self-published books can be released in a matter of months, or even weeks.
- Real-Time Sales Tracking – Platforms like Amazon KDP provide authors with real-time access to sales data, allowing them to adjust marketing strategies quickly.
- Flexibility in Marketing and Pricing – Authors can experiment with different price points, run promotions, and leverage digital marketing strategies to reach readers directly.
- Ownership of Rights – Self-published authors retain full ownership of their intellectual property, which means they have the freedom to negotiate film adaptations, translations, or special editions without publisher restrictions.
Cons of Self-Publishing:
- Upfront Costs – While self-publishing removes gatekeepers, it requires knowledge and understanding in editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing – or you can get professional help with this (this is something that The Book Whisperers can provide, for example.)
- Marketing and Promotion Responsibility – Without a publisher’s network, authors must build their audience from scratch, which can be time-consuming and challenging.
- Discoverability Challenges – Getting noticed among the millions of books available online is a significant hurdle, and without a strong marketing plan, books may struggle to gain traction. It takes commitment and consistency to keep marketing your book (but the same could be said for traditional publishing as well, as after the initial push the author is left to promote the book themselves).
- Limited Access to Physical Bookshops – While possible, securing shelf space in major bookshops is much harder for self-published authors due to bookshop policies favouring traditional publishers. Despite the success of many self-published authors, there is still some stigma attached to self-publishing, with certain literary awards, major outlets, and media platforms favouring traditionally published works.
Which Path is Right for You?
Choosing between traditional and self-publishing depends on your priorities and long-term goals.
- If you value prestige, wider distribution, and professional support, and are prepared to wait and put a lot of effort into reaching out to agents and publishers, traditional publishing may be the right path for you.
- If you want full control, higher earnings, and instant access to sales data, self-publishing could be the better option. Remember that you can get bespoke support from organisations like The Book Whisperers to achieve this.
Hybrid publishing
One thing that we do not recommend is something called ‘hybrid publishing’ and we advise caution when approached by a publisher in that category. This is when a company poses as a traditional publisher but asks you to partly-or fully-fund the work.
A traditional publisher will NEVER ask you to pay for the work, as they make their money from the book sales.
Remember, though, some authors self-publish first to build an audience and later secure a traditional deal, while others traditionally publish but self-publish side projects for additional income. So you can do a mix of the two different types as well.
Whichever route you take, the most important thing is to keep writing, keep learning, and keep sharing your stories with the world.
And of course, if you need any help, The Book Whisperers are here to provide whatever bespoke support you might need.