Nowadays, it is easier and more flexible than ever before to get a book published. In the days gone by, there were hardly any choices for writers and they predominantly relied on the big publishing houses. But, the digital age has turned the writing and publishing industry upside down. In today’s world, there are a number of options for authors depending on their objectives, budget and control.

It is very important to be familiar with the diverse publishing options for authors prior to deciding. Your publication path will affect your book’s visibility, earnings, marketing range, in addition to your future writing career. Others appreciate the credibility of traditional publishing, others the freedom and independence of self-publishing. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and it will depend upon your goals as a writer what you choose.

What is Traditional Publishing?

Traditional Publishing is the traditional approach, in which a publishing house is entirely responsible for creating and distributing a book. This is the one that the author sends articles to the publishers or literary agents. When the manuscript is accepted, the publisher has to invest in its editing, designing, printing, marketing and distributing.

Very selective and competitive method. Publishers get thousands of submissions and just few are accepted if they think that the manuscript will sell well. The author signs a contract and is closely involved with the publishing staff to get the book ready for publication.

This is the way to get professional help, but it is also a loss of control of creative and business decisions for the author.

Traditional Publishing Process

There’s a process involved in getting a manuscript to a published book—the traditional publishing process. It starts with the submission of manuscripts by the authors to the publishers or literary agents. If the manuscript is short listed, it goes through multiple stages of evaluation such as editorial evaluation, market analysis etc.

Upon acceptance, the manuscript goes through a process of editing, where the manuscript is edited by a professional editor to improve the grammar, clarity, structure and quality. The edited book then progresses on to cover design and formatting, before finally going on to the printing and distribution planning.

Last but not the least, the publisher is responsible for book marketing, promotion and communicating the book to the target audience via book stores, web and media. All of this can take months or even years, depending on how complicated the project is and the publishing company.

How and why do authors prefer traditional publishing?

The greatest benefit to traditional publishing is that an author won’t be concerned with production costs. The publisher bears the responsibility for expenses incurred in the editing, design, printing, and marketing of this publication. This drastically lowers the risks of the author’s finances.

There are also many other advantages, including credibility. Readers, bookstores and media outlets tend to trust and regard books to be more authoritative and reliable if they are published by well-established publishing companies. This can be beneficial for new writers in gaining credibility in the industry.

Moreover, there are distribution networks already in place in the traditional publishing world. This facilitates the availability of books in libraries, bookstores and in the international market. There’s also professional editing and marketing teams available for authors so they can concentrate on writing without having to deal with the business aspect of publishing.

Which are the challenges to the authors in self-publishing?

Being a self-publishing author is attractive due to freedom and control; however, there are actual difficulties to which many new authors are not prepared.

The main problem is that of having too many responsibilities. You not only become the writer, you are also the editor, designer, marketer and distributor. If you don’t have the proper experience, it can impact the quality of the book in the end.

The other issue is that it is hard to see. Just because a book is written well doesn’t mean that anyone will buy it. There’s no built-in team of marketers to help promote your book like there would be in traditional publishing. In order to promote his/her work, authors have to learn how to promote or employ the service of their professionals.

Many writers find this to be the most difficult part: Creativity and execution of business.

Would it be profitable or risky to self-publish?

Self-publishing is not a bad idea if it is done strategically, as it could be very profitable. There is greater income since the authors own the majority of the royalties. But, success is not guaranteed.

A badly edited book, a book that has bad design or a book that has no marketing will not sell. However, in some niches, well planned self published books can perform better than the traditionally published books.

But the question is really, is self-publishing good or bad? Well, it’s what the author is willing to do to get the entire publishing system to perform well.

So, what is the actual problem you are facing that you would be looking for a solution in the form of a book?

Authors must ask themselves, Which is better? should be changed to:

Is there a need to have full control or professional advice?

Do I have the budget to invest in publishing my book?

Would I prefer to get it published quickly or would I prefer it to be accurate over time?

Am I willing to do the marketing/promotion?

These are questions to determine what to do that aligns with your aspirations and not the demands of your industry.

Some writers require guidance and direction, others need freedom and swiftness. They both address different issues.

How to make a wise choice on who to join as a new author?

It is a mistake of new authors to imitate the successful writers. However, the right choice will vary according to your situation and goals.

If you wish to learn, be exposed and gain credibility, traditional publishing might be a better place to begin. Self-publishing may be a better choice if you’re looking to make money, have control and want to get in the door quickly.

Another good strategy is to use Hybrid thinking – get your writing small, try it in electronic format, and then build up for bigger publication.

Facing Challenges in the Book Publishing Market, what does the future hold for the industry?

There is no single way to the publishing world. With digital transformation, publishing has become a hybrid environment with the coexistence of traditional publishing and independent publishing.

New avenues for income have been created for authors through the use of audiobooks, eBooks and online marketplaces. These days it is not as much about the mode of publication, it’s about understanding the audience’s behavior and marketing.

There will be more writers in the future that will mix the two, using the widest possible reach and flexibility.

Conclusion

The question of deciding on the choice between conventional and self-publishing is more than just a technical one; it is also a business-oriented decision. Each method of publication has its pros and cons that can lead to success under certain conditions.

The point is to understand your own priorities, objectives, capabilities, and long-term prospects when making your decision. In this case, you will easily navigate through the existing publishing opportunities for writers.