Wondering if you should pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing for your book? The decision might not be yours to make.<\/em><\/pre>\n
I’m so frustrated.<\/p>\n
I’ve discovered that articles written to help authors decide between traditional publishing or self-publishing focus on the pros and cons of each model without providing a very, very<\/em> important detail.<\/p>\n
None of the sites you recognize and trust (I’m not going to name and shame) are willing to tell you the truth.<\/p>\n
“Should I use traditional publishing or self-publishing?”<\/h2>\n
My experience with online author groups reinforces the need for the reality check that nobody seems to be offering.<\/p>\n
A common post in many of these groups goes something like this: \u201cI\u2019m trying to decide if I should go with a traditional publisher or self-publish. What do you think I should do?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
I see some variation of this nearly every week.<\/p>\n
The person asking the question usually isn\u2019t a professional writer, hasn\u2019t published any articles or short stories, and hasn\u2019t received writing awards or recognition.<\/p>\n
It’s their first book.<\/p>\n
Beware the hive mind<\/h2>\n
Invariably, group members offer some version of this advice:<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cDon\u2019t even think about traditional publishing. You\u2019ll make more money self-publishing!\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n
“You should NEVER pay anyone money to publish your book.”<\/em><\/li>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard so many horror stories about working with traditional publishers that I\u2019d never go that route!\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Usually, this advice comes from people who don\u2019t have traditional publishing experience.<\/p>\n
There are also people who provide more informed input:<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cIf you want to go the traditional publishing route, you should get an agent.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n
\u201cIf your book is nonfiction, you\u2019re going to need an impressive platform.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n
\u201cBefore you explore publishing options, be clear on what you want to accomplish with your book. That might determine what makes the most sense.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The painful truth about traditional publishing or self-publishing<\/h2>\n
What I rarely see among responses and didn’t find in other articles about this is a sometimes painful truth: Today\u2019s typical author-to-be won\u2019t be offered a traditional publishing contract.<\/strong><\/p>\n