Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: Which One is For You?

In today's world, there are numerous ways to publish a book, and choosing the right path can be a big decision for aspiring authors. If you've ever wondered about the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, this blog is for you! ( I got you!)

(PS: I’ve got a YouTube Video all about this topic! Click below if you want to watch a video instead 😎 )

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: An Overview

Traditional publishing is the route most people are familiar with. It’s what you see in movies or shows like Sex and the City when a character lands a big book deal. Or like the tv show “Younger”, please tell me you watched it, and if you haven’t it’s a MUST. It’s modern day Hilary Duff. Okay I am getting side tracked now… This method involves working with one of the major publishing houses, often referred to as the "Big Six" (e.g., HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster). These companies have large budgets, extensive resources, and the ability to distribute your book widely.

On the other hand, self-publishing puts the control directly in the author's hands. If you run a business, self-publishing can be a powerful complementary tool to your existing work. For instance, if you’re a coach who helps people transition after divorce, you might create a short-form content book, workbook, or guided journal to assist your clients. Self-publishing allows you to tailor your content directly to your audience, maintaining creative control and intellectual property rights.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing certainly has its advantages. Working with a large publishing house means you benefit from their expertise, resources, and potential access to a vast network of media and promotional opportunities. If you're a big name or celebrity, the publisher may heavily invest in promoting your book, getting you media appearances, and ensuring your book reaches the right audience.

However, there are trade-offs. In traditional publishing, you often relinquish a significant degree of creative control. The publishing house may dictate the cover design, marketing strategies, and even some aspects of the content. Additionally, while you might receive a book advance, which is a great financial cushion during the writing process, remember that this is an advance on your royalties. You won’t see additional income from book sales until that advance is fully recouped.

Another factor to consider is the royalty percentage. Traditional publishing usually offers royalties between 6% and 15%, which is lower than what you could potentially earn through self-publishing. However, because traditional publishers can sell books in larger volumes, the total earnings might balance out.

Why Consider Self-Publishing?

Self-publishing offers authors a different kind of opportunity. You retain full control over the creative process, from cover design to content, and you keep your intellectual property rights. Financially, self-publishing can be more lucrative per book, with authors often earning between $8 to $12 per sale, depending on the print cost and sale price of the book.

While self-publishing requires more work—handling your own marketing, PR, and distribution—the rewards can be significant. You're not just publishing a book; you're building a brand. This is especially beneficial if you’re integrating your book into an existing business model, as mentioned earlier.

There Are Pros and Cons on Both Routes

Regardless of the path you choose, WRITING the book is often the hardest part. Finding the motivation, inspiration, and time to complete your manuscript can be a major hurdle. Whether you go with traditional publishing or self-publishing, overcoming this challenge is essential to success.

If all of this sounds great but you still find yourself struggling to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), I’ve got just the thing for you. Join my Free 5-Day WRITE YOUR DAMN BOOK Challenge, designed specifically for busy women entrepreneurs like you.

Over five days, I’ll help you kickstart your writing habit, find your groove, and finally start making progress on that book you’ve been dreaming of. Let’s get that book out of your head and into the world—because your story deserves to be told.

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