How to Get a Book Published for the First Time
So, you want to get a book published, but you’re not sure how to go about it. You’ve read every “Getting My Book Published” article on Google, and you’re still uncertain about which route to take. Like many others, you may be sitting at home on one or two drafts of your favorite work, eager to get it out there, or you might be a budding author passing by the offices of "The Big Five" book publishers in NYC, waiting for the chance to pitch your idea.
The questions are endless—Do you want to get an agent, pitch your story, endure the long publishing process, and possibly become the next New York Times bestseller, or do you want to self-publish, navigate the process of self-publishing, risk the stigma, and see more immediate results? Both sides of the publishing industry can be difficult to navigate. To help you decide which path to take, here are some of the pros and cons of traditional publishing and self-publishing.
SELF-PUBLISHING - PROS
- You Run the Show: As a self-publisher, you are your own boss. You control the price of your book, the cover, and the design—you get higher royalty rates, and you make every decision. As long as your book is selling, the royalties roll in, and your paycheck comes in consistently, like clockwork. With self-publishing, you get higher royalty rates and a monthly check.
- It’s Pretty Instantaneous: With many self-publishing platforms, as soon as you click "publish," your work is out there (though for some sellers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, it might take a few hours or days to list). You are in control of the editing process and choose when your book will reach your audience.
- Anyone Can Do It: Self-publishing is accessible to everyone! Although finding the right platform (if any) can be challenging, self-publishing is relatively simple once you get the hang of it. Plus, because of the potential for subpar work, being successful in self-publishing and producing quality work is pretty impressive! You can be immensely proud of the work you made happen all by yourself.
SELF-PUBLISHING - CONS
- You’re on Your Own: Being your own boss is great, but it comes with drawbacks. To get your book off the ground, you’ll have to edit, format, and produce cover art, either by paying someone else (and incurring upfront costs) or putting in the work yourself. Self-publishing represents only a small fraction of the book market (about 1/10).
- Less Professional Marketing = Fewer Sales: Although you can set your pricing and receive higher royalty rates, without professional marketing backed by big firms, sales are inevitably lower and less widespread. Self-promotion is key!
- Stigma: Unfortunately, the stigma around self-publishing is something to consider. Some people may look down on self-published works as less “legitimate,” even if you’ve invested weeks and months into your project.
TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING - PROS
- You Have an Agent: Having an agent can be a huge relief. They advocate for you and your book and can more easily connect your book with publishers.
- Professional Help: With traditional publishing, you have an entire team dedicated to ensuring your work is its very best. Whether it’s editing, cover art, formatting, marketing, or targeting audiences, a traditional publisher brings both skill and experience. Although your work may change and evolve significantly, you’ll have guidance from professionals who want you to succeed almost as much as you do.
- Visibility: With an established publisher, even if it isn’t one of "The Big Five," you stand to gain a lot. Once your book is published, you have greater visibility and reach to your audience, providing more opportunities to make it big.
TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING - CONS
- Rejection: Before you even secure a book deal, the possibility of rejection is high, especially in such a competitive market. Breaking into the industry can be tough. Don’t be discouraged, though—many publishers focus on specific genres or cater to certain audiences, so you might just need to find the right one!
- Lower Royalties: Traditional publishing often comes with more acclaim, but it usually means lower royalty rates. While you may earn more overall due to marketing and visibility, much of what your book earns might not make it into your pocket.
- Long & Complicated Processes: Signing a complicated contract is only the first step—after that, you might find yourself at the end of the publishing queue. Even once the process begins, the editing, rewriting, numerous drafts, cover designs, marketing, and final release can take years.
Ultimately, deciding which type of publishing to pursue is not easy, and it’s an important decision. Regardless of the path you choose, putting your art into the world invites praise, ridicule, critique, and hopefully, many, many sales.
by Dakotah Jennifer
