Traditional vs Self-Publishing: Which Path Should You Take?
- Hayley Rushbrook
- Mar 26
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
The traditional vs self-publishing debate comes up a lot in my line of work.
Some authors have spent years querying agents, with tumbleweed their only response. It can be soul-destroying. Others have such a vivid vision of their story's direction that the thought of losing that creative control brings them out in a cold sweat. For them, self-publishing is the only way they'll see their books go to market.
For others, if their book isn't picked up by a traditional publisher, they don't feel like they've 'made it' as an author. For them, the credibility a publishing house provides cements their achievement.
But with the publishing landscape rapidly changing and the stigma attached to self-publishing diminishing, is there a right and wrong way to publish your book? Can self-publishing really rival traditional publishing?
This post looks at the pros and cons of both publishing routes so you can choose the right path for you.
What is Traditional Publishing?
Traditional publishing is centuries old, though it was the late 1800s before the model we recognise today became the norm.
This model is where a publishing house takes on the 'risk' (e.g. covering all editing, design, printing and distribution costs) associated with publishing your book in exchange for exclusive rights to your book, for which they'll pay you royalties in return.
Essentially, they take on all of the business side of publishing a book, while you get to do what you do best – write stories.
What is Self-Publishing?
Self-publishing is pretty much a Ronseal approach: you publish your book yourself.
This means after writing your novel, you then have to put your business cap on and deal with all the other elements of publishing. Done correctly, you'll need to think about:
Finding and hiring editors (usually at least two to help you with different aspects of editing and proofreading)
Sourcing a formatter to help lay out the interior of your manuscript, ready for print or digital publishing
Choosing a cover designer to create a bespoke design that reflects your book's genre and yet equally places it amongst other books already available
Exploring printing and distribution channels (e.g. print on demand through companies such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark, bookshops, libraries)
Set up author platforms and events to market your book, including your own website, social media and attending book fairs
Now, reading this (not exhaustive) list, you might be wondering why you'd consider self-publishing when traditional publishing seems like the easier route, but easier doesn't always equal better.
Self-publishing has surged in popularity, fuelled by digital platforms like KDP and IngramSpark, making it easier to create, distribute and publish books.
Fiction authors in particular are finding success in this model (according to the Written Word Media Indie Author Survey 2025), with romance and fantasy being particularly prolific genres. And with the global self-publishing market rising to $1.85 billion in 2024 (and the expectation that it will more than triple by 2033), it indicates that authors appreciate having more control over their work and the potential increased financial rewards self-publishing offers.
Pros of Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
Self-Publishing
Creative control
One of the major advantages of self-publishing is the ability to maintain full creative control over your work. Publishing your book through a traditional publisher can come with creative limitations, as your manuscript is expected to 'fit' current market trends. After all, the publisher has accepted the risk of your books' success, so they will want to do all they can to ensure it sells.
Higher royalties
Self-published authors often earn significantly higher royalty rates. For print books, this can be as high as 60%, whereas eBooks can reap up to 70%. Compared with traditional publisher royalty rates (print: as low as 5%, eBook: up to 25%), it's unsurprising that self-publishing is growing in popularity.
Speed to market
Authors can be impatient beasts, eager to get their books out into the world, but if you're traditionally publishing, there is a much longer timeline. Realistically, it can take two to three years from the initial manuscript submission to making it to print, but self-published authors can expect a much shorter timeline, given they don't have the same hoops to jump through. For authors keen to release a story aligned with current trends, this speed can be a crucial advantage.
More diverse authors and stories making it to market
Self-publishing removes the many obstacles that might prevent your book from being accepted by an agent and/or a commissioning editor. It doesn't have to 'fit' a mass-market trend or conform to submission guidelines, and authors who may otherwise be under-represented get seen.
Direct reader engagement
Self-publishing fosters a direct relationship between authors and readers. By personally creating your author platform, managing social media channels and interacting with your audience in real time, you can nurture a dedicated fanbase.
Traditional Publishing
No or minimal financial outlay
Traditional publishing covers the costs for editing, design, production and distribution, so you don't have to. You may or may not wish to get some prior help to get your novel ready to query, but this fee will be much less than if you invested in all aspects of publishing yourself.
Guided support for newbie authors
Going it alone as a debut author can be extremely daunting. You've not been through the process before and may be wondering where to start, what needs to be taken care of and when. Working with a traditional publisher relinquishes that worry as they'll guide you every step of the way.
Access to marketing professionals and wider distribution channels
Every author, whether traditionally published or self-published, has to market their books. There is a misconception that traditionally published authors don't need to. The difference between the two is that those who traditionally publish are often supported by a dedicated marketing team. This team, among other things, will help you get your book into brick-and-mortar bookshops and online bookshops – something indie authors often struggle to do – which increases your visibility.
Higher quality
Traditionally published books go through rigorous vetting and have to meet professional standards to ensure reader expectations are met. This means your manuscript will have been given a whole team of experienced, professional, dedicated experts to ensure your book is at its best before it hits the shelves.
Credibility
Although the stigma for self-publishing is fading, for some, the weight of having a recognised publishing house back your work lends itself to being more credible and of higher quality, potentially resulting in more readers, interview opportunities and recognition.
Cons of Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
Self-publishing
More responsibilities
Self-publishing means you are responsible for everything, from writing the book to selling it. You are a business and have to think of yourself as one. You'll have important decisions to make and a financial outlay. You'll also spend less time writing as you'll be dedicating more time to other tasks.
Quality Control
Self-publishers often lack the financial means to invest in all the required stages that make for a professionally published book. It's important that you realistically budget and are savvy about where you spend your money when self-publishing. The non-negotiables are: professional editing, cover design and formatting. Poorly presented books often lead to negative reviews and lost sales, and that's not how you want to start (and possibly end) your author career.
Perception
Despite the escalation of self-publishing, as mentioned above, some readers still associate traditional publishing with credibility. However, self-published books are increasingly gaining in popularity. For example, E L James's Fifty Shades of Grey was originally self-published under the title Master of the Universe and began life as Twilight fan fiction before she sold the rights to Vintage Books in 2012. Andy Weir's The Martian started as a blog series that, due to reader demands, he eventually self-published as an eBook on Amazon before Crown Publishing Group expressed interest.
Takes time to see a return for your efforts
It's not uncommon for debut self-publishing authors to publish their first book at a financial loss. Remember, at this stage, you're a nobody. You have no audience or fanbase. Nobody has read your work before. It's important to make a good impression with your first novel so the momentum builds with each new book you release. This is another reason why you need to see yourself as a business. This first book is an investment in your career as an author, not an immediate source of income.
Traditional Publishing
Low royalties for first-time authors
First-time authors often face disappointing royalty rates with traditional publishing. As noted earlier, royalties may be as low as 5%. This is a reality authors find discouraging after all the hard work, time and effort they've invested in writing their novel.
Lengthy publishing process
The traditional route can be frustratingly slow. From querying agents to navigating a prolonged acceptance and publishing process, it may stretch into years before your book is available to readers.
Limited creative control
When traditionally publishing, you might need to compromise on aspects of your book. Publishers often request changes to the content and cover design. Such compromises can stifle creative expression, particularly if you have a specific vision for your work.
Loss of rights
When you sign a contract with a publisher, you generally hand over specific publishing rights. Although you'll keep the copyright, you'll be giving them exclusive permission to reproduce, distribute and sell your novel. This means they get to decide things like what formats your book is available in (hardback, paperback, eBook, etc.) and audio, film, TV and foreign translation rights.
Choosing Your Path
Assessing and understanding your individual goals, resources and preferences will help you decide which route to publishing you take. If you value creative freedom, control of your rights and higher royalties, self-publishing may suit you better. On the other hand, if you prefer support from industry professionals with established distribution channels and don't want to accept the 'risk' of your own writing, traditional publishing could be the more attractive option.
Wrapping Up
The rise of self-publishing has reshaped the literary landscape, creating new opportunities for authors to share their stories. While each publishing path has its pros and cons, the increasing popularity of self-publishing proves that authors can successfully carve their niche independent of traditional publishing houses. It can also act as a stepping stone to traditional publishing if this is something you wish to enter into later in your author career (see the above link about E L James and Andy Weir).
It's important to weigh your options carefully and choose what reflects your values as an author. Neither path is wrong or right; it's about what feels right for you.
Looking for an editor to support you on your self-publishing journey?
Hayley Rushbrook is a respectful, human fiction line and copyeditor and proofreader specialising in mystery, crime and thriller, romance and general fiction, children's, middle grade and YA.
She gives your hard work the careful attention it deserves, so it is remembered for all the right reasons.
Connect: LinkedIn
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