Traditional Publishing Versus Self-Publishing: Facts and Tips for Authors

It seems that everywhere you go these days someone is calling themselves a 'writer'. This label is a broad description to use when establishing a professional title. An author is usually a better way to identify exactly what kind of writer you are. If you have written a book or screenplay this typically classifies you as an author.

With all of the different ways to become a published author it sometime may seem a little confusing as to the better ways to get published. This article can help you understand the pros and cons to both traditional publishing houses and the self publishing firms out there. This way, you can decide for yourself how you want to tackle this major step in your career.

Traditional versus Self Publishing: The Struggles

As if creating your characters, building a premise, and going through the range of emotions through the ups and downs of writing a novel aren't hard enough, traditional publishers then believe that you need to forfeit the major portion of the sales to their house for costs. It actually only costs a fraction of what they take to print these books and market them.

I have been offered contracts to which I haven't yet found a decent one I would gladly accept without regret. My reasons may sound foolish but I will share some nonetheless. One of my novels, due to come out early next year, has a fictional beginning about a child being swept into the past of his ancestor and living a life not his own. This book has been reviewed by important people in the industry but unfortunately most said that they would be happy to print the book if I make the child experience a drug hallucination or overdose to bring on the phenomenon. Well, as you can imagine I was not about to twist an innocent child into a drug user for monetary gain

Or, how about the fact that the traditional publishing houses usually give their authors 10-12% of the revenue that they work so hard for? There are limitless reasons to say no. So, what are the pros of such a venture? Well, you are fully marketed... not to say that you don't have to be pro active as you will be expected to attend every event and signing to keep the publishing firm happy even if it may not always be convenient for you.

Traditional versus Self Publishing: A Ray of Hope in the Publishing World

Traditional publishers and most traditionally published authors will tell you that how you are published is how the world views your work. For instance, if you have a traditional publishing house print your book then you are worthy of the 'author' title and your work is worthy to be read, but self published authors have a black cloud hanging over them and people expect the work to be bad or unworthy. But these views are for the ignorant.

Let me briefly take this moment to put those points of view to rest. Let's see if you recognize any big names here with whose books you have treasured: Stephen King, Zane Grey, Margaret Atwood, Lord Byron, L. Frank Baum, Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Edgar Allen Poe, Rudyard Kipling, Louis L'Amour, Leo Tolstoi, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, and Beatrix Potter. Anyone familiar? Well all of these authors at one time or another was self published because they either did not like the contracts they were offered or because they were told that their work wouldn't sell.

There are many self publishing companies out there that will charge an arm and a leg to publish your book so beware. If you decide to go this route go with a reputable company such as Lulu. They don't charge anything and you retain the rights. You also set the price so you earn the percentage that you think is fair for your hard work. Finally, a ray of sunshine.

Traditional versus Self Publishing: The Choice is Yours

The point is, take constructive criticism with a grain of salt. You can learn from it, you can try to change your style to fit, you can even pretend as though the most ridiculous notion can somehow find a home in your work... but it will never be your own creativity if you give in. Enjoy your writing; this craft needs more people who take it seriously.

There are two things you need to have regardless which avenue you choose as far as publishing. One, a good agent or a publicist. This will help you achieve secure success in your endeavors which is what makes the traditionally published authors more of a household name versus a self published one.

Secondly, a lawyer or team of lawyers as you will meet undesirables, obsessed readers, and you might even have to deal with plagiarism. These things are almost unavoidable in this business so it is better to be prepared. Despite what you decide to do there are ways to make it easy and allow your career to flourish.