Traditional Publishing vs. Self Publishing: How to Choose the Best Path For You

Traditional publishing vs self publishing: two paths, no guarantees. Here’s how to choose what fits your book—and your ambition.

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Once upon a time, getting published meant stalking the mailbox for a rejection letter printed on painfully nice paper. These days? It’s more likely you’re juggling a dozen browser tabs—Amazon KDP, Substack serials, that one hybrid press with a questionable logo—while wondering if “just Tweeting the book out” counts as a launch strategy.

Welcome to publishing in 2025: more doors than ever, and absolutely zero signage.

The explosion of self-publishing, indie imprints, hybrid presses, and digital platforms means the barriers to entry are lower—but the decisions? Way more complicated. Do you want an agent, an advance, and a traditional publishing deal with the Big Five (now the Big Four)? Or are you itching to upload your masterpiece tonight and wake up to sales in the morning?

The good news: there is no one right answer. The better news: this article will help you figure out which publishing option is right for you—whether you crave total creative control, crave industry clout, or are just trying to avoid the phrase “platform-building” for another year.

Traditional publishing: What it really means

Ah, traditional publishing. The OG. The dream. The version that still makes your uncle at Thanksgiving say, “So when are we going to see it in a real bookstore?”

How it works

If you want to go the traditional route, buckle up—this is a long-haul flight. First, you’ll write a query letter (essentially, your book’s Tinder profile), send it to a bunch of literary agents, and wait. If an agent swipes right (aka requests your manuscript), you might get signed. That agent then shops your book around to traditional publishing houses, and with any luck, an editor bites.

Once your book is acquired, it goes through multiple rounds of editing, a professionally designed cover, some internal marketing strategy meetings you’ll probably never be invited to, and eventually—if all goes well—lands on shelves at your local bookstore, in front of book reviewers, and maybe even on that hallowed New York Times list.

Pros of traditional publishing

• Distribution and prestige: Traditional publishers have the resources to get your book into brick-and-mortar stores, libraries, schools, and major media outlets.
• Validation: There’s a certain glow to being picked. You get publishing industry approval, big-name reviews, and those nice shiny stickers for your cover if you win awards.
• Professional support: You’re not alone, especially with a major publisher. Editors, designers, marketers, and publicists are on board (though your mileage may vary).

Cons of traditional publishing

• Gatekeepers galore: Rejections are part of the game, and you could wait months—if not years—just to hear “thanks, but no thanks.”
• Creative compromise and lower royalties: You probably won’t have complete control over your title, cover, or even the ending. And expect smaller royalty rates (typically 5–15%) than indie authors.
• You still have to hustle: Yup, you’ll likely still be building a social media presence, scheduling events, and figuring out how to sell your book on TikTok even if your publisher has a marketing team.

Self publishing: What it actually takes

If traditional publishing is like applying to an exclusive college, self-publishing or indie publishing is starting your own university—and designing the mascot while you’re at it.

How it works

Self-publishing means you are the publisher. Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital make it easy to go direct to readers, whether you’re publishing an ebook, paperback, or even hardcover. Thanks to print-on-demand, you don’t need to order a thousand copies of your novel and store them in your hallway closet.

But with that freedom comes responsibility: you’ll be managing cover design, hiring an editor, writing your own blurb, setting the price, and figuring out what the heck an ISBN actually is.

Pros of self publishing

• Total control: Want to change your cover after launch? Tweak the blurb at midnight? Set your own price? No problem—you’re the boss.
• Higher royalties: Most platforms offer 35–70% royalties, compared to traditional publishing’s 5–15%.
• Speed and flexibility: You could publish a book by the end of the month if you really wanted to. (We’re not recommending it. But you could.)
• A thriving indie community: Self-published authors are generous with advice, and indie Facebook groups and forums can be goldmines of support, encouragement, and memes about ISBNs.

Cons of self publishing

• Upfront costs: There’s no advance, and you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket for editing, proofreading, cover design, and maybe even a publicist.
• No built-in validation: Many review outlets, awards, and bookstores still don’t recognize self-published books. (Though this is changing—slowly.)
• You’re doing it all: The success—or silence—of your book depends entirely on your marketing, branding, and your willingness to shout “Buy my book!” from the social media rooftops.

The key differences: What really sets each route apart

So, now that we’ve laid out the basics, let’s get into the real tea: how these two paths actually compare when it comes to the stuff that matters—money, control, timelines, and that sweet, sweet validation.

Creative control

Traditional publishing means handing over the reins to a team of professionals—which can be amazing… or mildly horrifying. Your publisher chooses the cover, the title (sometimes), and the release date. You might get input, but you’re not the final decision-maker.

Self-publishing puts you firmly in the driver’s seat. You’re in charge of everything—from hiring your editor to picking the font on the back cover. It’s freedom with a side of responsibility.

Timeline

Traditional publishing is basically the publishing equivalent of slow food. Expect 1–2 years (sometimes more!) from book deal to bookstore shelf.

Self-publishing? You can go from manuscript to live on Kindle in a matter of weeks. No gatekeepers. No waiting.

Financials

Traditional authors may get an advance—a lump sum upfront against future royalties (typically 5–15%). But you don’t start earning more until that advance earns out.

Independent authors get higher royalties (often 60–70%) from each sale, but there’s no advance. Also, you’ll be footing the bill for everything: editing, design, marketing… all of it.

Distribution

Traditional publishing shines here: bookstores, libraries, schools, airports, and maybe even Target—thanks to distributor relationships and established channels.

Self-pub authors can get into stores, but it takes effort (and often some begging). Most book sales happen online, especially on Amazon. Still, for ebooks and audiobooks, indies often outperform traditionally published authors.

Validation and prestige

Let’s be honest: traditional publishing still comes with cultural clout. It opens doors—media coverage, awards, literary festivals, and yes, possibly that coveted bestseller list.

But self-pub success is rising fast. Many indie authors make more money, grow loyal readerships, and hit their own version of success—without ever walking into a New York publishing house.

📌 Pro Tip: The question isn’t “Which is better?” It’s: What matters more to you—control, speed, and ownership? Or prestige, support, and validation?

Author experience: What to expect as a first-time author

Whether you go the traditional or self-publishing route, one thing’s for sure: publishing your first book is a lot. Emotionally, logistically, existentially—you will at some point Google “why is my book terrible and also am I terrible?” Welcome to the club.

Traditional publishing: The long road to yes

If you’re aiming for a traditional deal, expect rejections. Lots of them. Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes bafflingly vague (“just didn’t connect”), sometimes silent. Querying agents is its own genre of emotional thriller, and getting an offer can feel like winning a literary lottery.

And even after the deal, life doesn’t magically turn into champagne and book tours. Most traditionally published authors don’t get big marketing budgets or seven-city tours. You’ll probably still be posting on Instagram and organizing your own bookstore events—with a publisher’s logo on your spine, sure, but not always with a publicist on speed dial.

Self-publishing: Team you (plus freelancers)

If you’re going indie, you won’t face a mountain of rejections—but you will need to make a thousand decisions, fast. From hiring a proofreader, to finding the perfect cover designer, to deciding whether to run a pre-order campaign or just hit “publish” and hope for the best.

The upside? You get to choose your team. You’re not relying on a junior publicist juggling 10 other titles. You’re hand-picking professionals who work for you—editors, marketers, audiobook narrators if you’re feeling fancy.

The tradeoff? You’re the project manager. The budget-holder. The one who has to keep track of deadlines and deliverables while also trying to remember if you ate lunch today.

What kind of author are you? Decision framework

Let’s be honest: there’s no universal “best” path—only what’s best for you. Choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing isn’t about picking the superior model. It’s about knowing your goals, your strengths, and how much caffeine you’re willing to consume while formatting an ePub at midnight.

Ask yourself:

• Do you crave external validation? If your heart flutters at the thought of a starred review in Kirkus and seeing your book on a bookstore shelf, traditional might be your vibe.
• Do you like control? If the idea of someone else picking your book cover makes your eye twitch, self-publishing might be the way to go.
• How fast do you want to move? Traditional publishing is a slow dance. Self-publishing is a solo sprint—at full speed.
• How do you feel about marketing? Both paths require it. But in self-publishing, it’s all on you. In traditional? You’ll still have to do it—but with some backup.
• What’s your budget? Self-publishing comes with upfront costs: editing, design, marketing. Traditional doesn’t—unless you count therapy for query-induced trauma.

📌 Pro Tip: Self-publishing can feel risky—but so can waiting three years for a book to maybe, possibly get acquired. Traditional offers a safety net in the form of professional infrastructure, but less creative freedom. It’s a tradeoff either way.

Hybrid and alternative models

If traditional publishing is the classic novel and self-publishing is the edgy zine, hybrid and alternative models are everything in between. Think of them as the literary equivalent of build-your-own burritos—customizable, sometimes messy, but increasingly popular.

What’s out there?

• Hybrid publishers combine aspects of traditional and self-publishing. You often pay upfront, but in return, you get professional editing, design, and distribution support—plus higher royalties than a traditional deal. (Heads-up: not all hybrids are created equal. Do your homework.)
• Small presses are independent publishers with more niche focus or genre specialization. They often accept unagented submissions and offer more flexibility—but may have limited marketing budgets.
• Assisted self-publishing companies act as service providers: you pay them to help produce and publish your book. Some are great. Some are shady. Check credentials, ask other authors, and run far from anyone promising overnight success.

Why authors go this route

More and more authors are blending models across their careers. You might traditionally publish a memoir, self-publish a workbook, and work with a hybrid publisher for a children’s book. Or you might start out self-publishing, gain traction, and attract a traditional book deal. (It happens more than you’d think.)

Others go the opposite way—leaving traditional behind for greater control, faster timelines, and better royalties after realizing the “A-list author experience” isn’t all champagne and bestseller stickers.

📌 Pro Tip: Here’s the secret: most modern authors aren’t picking one path forever. They’re building a career—book by book, project by project, contract by contract.

Red flags and reality checks

No matter which path you choose, publishing a book takes effort, money, and more emotional stamina than anyone warns you about. And while most people in the industry are trying to help authors succeed, there are always a few bad actors looking to take advantage—especially when dreams are involved.

Watch out for:

• Vanity presses: These companies often pose as traditional publishers but charge authors thousands of dollars to “accept” their book. If a publisher is asking you to pay them—without being transparent about it being a hybrid or service model—walk away.
• Predatory “publishing services”: Be cautious of anyone promising bestseller status, guaranteed media coverage, or instant success. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is (and it’s usually expensive).
• Opaque contracts and fine print: Whether it’s a small press, a hybrid publisher, or a freelance editor, make sure you understand your rights, royalties, and responsibilities. Get contracts reviewed. Ask questions. Don’t rush.

The real cost

• Money: Traditional publishing won’t cost you upfront, but self-publishing (or hybrid) will. Expect to invest in editing, design, and marketing if you want a professional product.
• Time: Traditional publishing is slow. Self-publishing is faster—but only if you’re fast. Every step—proofreading, uploading, launching—requires your attention.
• Emotional bandwidth: Rejections hurt. So do one-star reviews. So does uploading the wrong file to Amazon at midnight and realizing it’s full of typos. No publishing path is drama-free.

📌 Pro Tip: Publishing a book is a dream—but it’s also a job. A real one. And like any job, the more you know going in, the better your chances of success (and sanity) on the other side.

Charting your own publishing route

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to publishing—only the one that fits you. Maybe that’s querying agents and playing the long game. Maybe it’s self-publishing your book next month because you’ve already Googled how to buy your own ISBN (bless you). Maybe it’s both, eventually.

The most successful authors today don’t commit to one model forever. They learn the industry, test the waters, and choose what works for that project, at that time. That’s not indecisiveness—it’s strategy.

So if you’re still unsure which path to take? Good. That means you’re thinking like an author with a long-term career.

And if you’d like some help navigating all this—without the overwhelm—subscribe to The Wordling. It’s our free newsletter for writers who want clear guidance, real talk, and smart strategies for building a sustainable, successful career—on your terms. Sign up here.

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