Here is a list of things to consider before you go with either the traditional or self-publishing (Indie) route.
Traditional Publishing Pros
- Wide distribution and more exposure
- Most offer an advance, sometimes a large one
- They do the editing, formatting, cover art
- More marketing power
Traditional Publishing Cons
- Take six months to respond to a query or submission
- Take another six to eighteen months before publication if accepted
- They have power over cover art and title
- Don’t use the marketing power they wield effectively
- Pay royalties twice a year
- Don’t involve you in many of the decisions regarding your book
- Difficult to implement changes
- Lousy royalty rates, between 6% and 25%
- Very hard to break into
Self Publishing Pros
- Paid once a month
- You control price and cover
- Publication is almost instant
- Easy to implement changes
- Every decision is yours
- Great royalty rates
- Anyone can do it
Self Publishing Cons
- No free professional editing, formatting, or cover art
- Usually Fewer sales unless author works at it
- Less than 10% of current book market
- Greater potential to publish crappy books
- All costs are upfront to the author
- Author must do their own marketing
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