If you found this article, chances are you’re in the midst of or have just finished writing a book. Firstly, well done on getting this far! Secondly, I’m willing to bet that you’re wondering what the next steps to take on your publishing journey are; including whether self-publishing vs traditional publishing is the better option for you. It might be a bit bewildering at first, the decision seemingly daunting – you’re deciding how to share your book baby with the world, after all. But fret not, dear author. In this article, I’ll break down the two main publishing models and give you some pointers to help you determine which is the better choice for you. There’s also a third model of “vanity” or hybrid publishing that I’ll be warning you to avoid at all costs.

Let’s start with the first publishing model that usually comes to mind.👇

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

If you find yourself saying

• Will you publish me for free? (I don’t want to pay anything to publish.)
• I only want to focus on writing. (I don’t want to have to market myself or my book.)
• My main goal is to see my book in bookstores.

How to identify a traditional publisher?

The author shouldn’t be required to pay anything.  The publisher controls your book production process. The author shares money earned from book sales with others in the publishing value chain. (Bookstore + book distributor + publisher.)

This model is what likely first comes to mind when you think of publishing. It involves a publisher selecting your manuscript for publication after a submissions process. A publisher may have a call for new submissions that are only open at certain times during the year. Or your manuscript can be submitted to a publisher through a literary agent, acting on your behalf. (Literary agents are not needed when approaching most South African publishers.)

Once you receive the exciting news that your manuscript has been selected for publication, you enter into a written agreement with the publisher. The details of this agreement differ between different publishers, so be sure to always read the fine print and ask as many questions as you need to. Most publishers are very accommodating and will talk you through the publishing contract. This is also the stage where you’ll discuss details such as translation and adaptation rights. Important to note is that you as the author always own the copyright to your work, and any contract that states otherwise is best left unsigned.  Once everyone is satisfied with the deal and has signed on the dotted line, you may be paid an advance (again, depending on the publisher) and the production of your book begins. 

The production process is fully funded by the publisher, meaning they typically absorb the cost of cover design, editing, layout, eBook conversion, distribution to bookstores and marketing. This also means that, while your input is considered, they’ll have the final say on all the aforementioned and make most of the big decisions regarding what your final book looks like and how/ where it’ll be marketed.

Once your book starts selling, you’ll be paid a percentage of the sales in the form of a royalty payment. This fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the book’s selling price, averaging between 7% – 12.5%.

💡 For South African authors wanting to publish with a traditional publisher, I recommend starting your search here. (Publishers’ Association of South Africa)

Pros of traditional publishing

• Little to no costs. The entire publishing process should be funded by the publisher.  
• Focus more on writing. Leave most decisions regarding the production and marketing to the publisher.
• Better access to physical bookstores.
• Bragging rights around the braai.

Cons of traditional publishing

• The likelihood of rejection from most publishers (or not hearing back at all.)
• Waiting. A traditional publishing process can easily take up to 18 months once started, until the book hits the shelves.
• Lower royalty rates earned by the author.
• Lack of control. You don’t have the final say in the book’s design. (Editing, cover design, interior styling etc.)

SELF-PUBLISHING

If you find yourself saying 

• I have a tight deadline to publish.
• I have a very clear vision for what I want my book to look like.
• I want to earn the highest possible royalties.
• My book is written on a very niche topic.

How to identify a self-publisher?

Costs of publishing are fully the responsibility of the author. Author has final control of the publishing process. Author retains ownership of the final book files created. Author should earn 100% of book sales (from online platforms such as Amazon.)

Also known as assisted or partnership publishing, self-publishing is the DIY route where the author covers all the production costs and takes on the responsibility of producing their book and getting it in the hands of readers. You control and manage the whole production process yourself, or work with freelancers or a publishing services company to put your book together. There is thus no “submissions” process involved. All rights and royalties should remain with the author who chooses to self-publish. Done correctly, there’s no reason why your self-published book can’t look as professional and polished as its traditionally published counterpart. It’s all about finding the right team to trust with your words.

Need professional self-publishing services?

While most self-published books are published exclusively online (via platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing), it’s still possible for indie authors to get their books on the shelves of physical stores by either working directly with the store manager or a book distributor.

The major choice when it comes to self-publishing is whether to invest more of your time or your money; whichever resource you have more of. Either way, it’ll certainly be worth it in the end, if taken seriously.

💡 6 Biggest Mistakes New Author Make.

Pros of self-publishing

• Better royalty rates, paid directly to the author.
• More control. You get to be involved in every aspect of the publishing process.
• Timing. Publish your book faster.
• Author retains the book copyright. (Movie rights etc.)

Cons of self-publishing

• All book production and marketing costs are covered by the author.
• Not ideal for the author who doesn’t want to get their hands dirty in the marketing and selling of the new book.
• Harder to access physical bookstores.
• Harder to win literary awards.

💡 Need ideas to raise funds for your book?

HYBRID (VANITY) PUBLISHING: A WARNING

How to identify a vanity press?

You’re required to pay for or “subsidise” the production of your book AND still share money earned from book sales. Interactions with vanity publishers often feel forced, with great emphasis placed on sales, and much less on support, once monies have been paid by the unfortunate author.

💡 Here is a list suspected scammers, if you needed.

If you’ve been looking into possible ways to get your book published, you have likely come across businesses that market themselves as “hybrid publishers.” As the name suggests, hybrid publishers promise to be a mix between traditional and self-publishing and thus claim to offer the best of both worlds. Also known as vanity presses, these companies attempt to come across as a traditional publisher (thus giving the author the illusion of having their manuscript being “chosen”), however they make their money not by selling books, but by having authors pay exorbitant fees to cover their book production expenses. The author is not paid an advance and the so-called publisher still takes most of the royalties once the book starts selling. They do all this while attempting to retain the rights to the author’s work. Avoid this publishing model like month-old Xmas pudding. Or the Barbie movie. Whichever scares you more. ☠

A Cautionary Tale

The havoc vanity presses can wreak is best illustrated by all-to-common stories like the one discussed in this LinkedIn post by copy-editor Heather Pendley. In short, when she was 15, she submitted a book of short stories to a publisher she found in a magazine. Despite the publisher’s initial interest in her “unusual and intriguing” book, they proposed a deal requiring her to pay $7,000 for the publication of 1,000 copies—an exorbitant sum, particularly for a teenager in the ‘80s as she was at the time. The red flags started with the dubious publisher’s advertisement and intensified when they sent her poorly edited books by unknown authors as examples. The glaring typos in those books, combined with her father’s advice about legitimate publishers not requiring payment from authors, made her realize the offer was dubious.

While Heather was one of the lucky ones that wasn’t swindled out of their savings, this is unfortunately not the case for many other authors who are eager enough to overlook the red flags in the hope of finally getting their book published. In the end, there really is no good reason for an author to go with a vanity press. This is because you are getting the restrictions of traditional publishers without the advance or the status, while still doing most of the work of self-publishing minus the ownership, control, or other upsides. The old saying “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is” undoubtably applies here.

SELF-PUBLISHING VS TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING: A SALIENT SUMMARY

So, as we wrap up this article, let’s put it all in a nutshell and sprinkle some clarity on the key takeaways. The major differences between the two publishing models can be summarized in two main points: who owns the rights (print license) to the book being published and who funds the publishing process. A print license determines how your work can be used and reproduced in a physical, printed way; in essence spelling out the rules for how your book can be printed, published, and sold. It usually mentions things like how many copies can be printed and where those copies can be sold. Should you self-publish, the print license remains with you as the author, while the publisher is usually granted the print license with a traditional publishing deal.

Will a traditional publisher accept me if I first self-publish?

The flexibility and freedom that self-publishing offers goes beyond just regaining creative control over your book, as we are seeing more and more self-published authors being offered book deals by traditional publishers – especially after the author and their book first gain a following online. Just think of Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James and The Martian by Andy Weir, both of which became popular when they were initially self-published and became bestsellers after being traditionally published. Both even had very successful movie adaptations. Thus, if your story is good and your book finds an audience that believes in it, it is possible to get a traditional book deal after self-publishing. There’s no reason why, if that’s what you want to work towards, self-publishing can’t be a stepping stone to being traditionally published. 

Guiding questions for new authors

Here are few points to ponder before deciding on your preferred publishing partner 😎

• What are your main goals for writing your book? (Income, impact, legacy etc.)
• What budget (if any) do you have in mind for your publishing project?
• How do you feel about marketing/ selling? (Both yourself and your book.)
• How do you feel about getting your hands dirty in the book publishing or marketing process?
• How much control over the book publishing process do you need?
• Is there a bigger business idea behind your book? (If non-fiction.)
• How quickly do you need your book to be published?

💡 Here are a few other questions I wish more authors would ask me before deciding to (self)publish.

Ultimately, which publishing model is right for you comes down to the funds and/or time you have available and how much control you are looking to retain throughout the process. As with all partnerships, it’s about the give-and-take and whether what you are putting in is, in your opinion, worth what you are getting out. Whatever publishing model you choose, your book deserves to be out there and to find readers – you get to claim the title of “author” either way.  

FURTHER READING

• Consult this handy list from WritersBeware for known publishing scams.
• The Writer’s Digest’s 17 Pros and Cons of Traditional vs Self-publishing   
• Forbes’ Publishing Pros and Cons For Leaders To Consider
• Forbes Book on whether traditional or self-publishing is more profitable 
• The Creative Penn’s Pros And Cons Of Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing

A big thanks to Sunè Raspel for the word-magic 🙏