Myth, Money, and Manuscripts: You wrote your story. Now what?
- C. A. Hollister
- Sep 30
- 5 min read
Every writer inevitably reaches the same crossroads when it comes time to share their stories. Should you self-publish or go the traditional route?
For most, it’s not a simple decision. Both paths have pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your goals, resources, and your patience level. The harsh reality of publishing, no matter the path, can be disheartening for most aspiring authors. I knew it was for me when I made the decision to publish.
Is self-publishing right for you?
Let’s look at Myth vs Reality:
There’s a persistent myth that self-publishing is the “easy way out”. A shortcut for authors who couldn’t make it in the traditional world. That may have been true ten years ago. Now, with the numerous avenues to self-publish, it’s never been easier to get your story into potential reader’s hands.
Yet, at the same time, self-publishing is often harder. You’re not only the writer; you’re also the project manager, the publisher, and the marketing department. All of which consume so much time, energy, and precious resources that a lot of people don’t have to spare. Most of us have jobs, families, and responsibilities that take priority.
So why would any sane person take on such an arduous task? Freedom of control. But with that freedom comes more responsibility. As mentioned above, you bear the brunt of every aspect of publishing. And let me tell you, that can turn into a huge money suck.
Even if you decide to go traditional, which is a whole other mountain of gatekeepers to contend with, you are still responsible for most of your marketing and self-promotion. You are expected to bring a large social media following before you ever get your foot in the door.
Fame and Fortune
Some aspiring authors may fantasize about how they will become famous as soon as they publish. The money will roll in. Accolades pile up. The harsh reality for most of us is far less ideal.
Sure, self-publishing lets you keep more royalties. On average, you get 35%-70% of your ebook sales and around 40%-60% of print sales (after costs). That’s a much bigger slice than most traditional contracts.
Something you need to keep in mind when self-publishing is setting a sustainable budget. Publishing is the easy part, but to get there, you’re going to need some essentials. Editing, cover design, formatting, and yes, marketing. These numbers can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars for a final, publishable product. Factor these costs in early, or you will burn through your budget before you ever get started.
I know a lot of people don’t want to hear this, but the chance of your making back the money you invest is slim. Most self-published books sell fewer than 100 copies in their lifetime. The good news is, persistence is key. You’re probably not going to make a fortune off one book no matter how aggressively you market.
The more books you publish, the more likely readers will find them. It’s a vicious cycle, I know. Self-publishing costs money that you may not make back, so why bother with multiple books? I think all aspiring authors need to go into this with realistic expectations. Many authors have been published for years, even decades, before they started to break even.
Traditional Publishing
Before the internet and KDP, traditional publishing was the only way to go. I think that mindset is still prevalent and is why we are seeing more and more people struggling to go this route. I’ve already gone over the rampant gatekeeping with traditional publishing, so if you want to check it out, you can read it here.
If you are lucky enough to land an agent, you have the opportunity to get an advance on your book sales. A generous estimate is $5,000-$15,000 for debut novels. Some presses offer less or nothing at all. A lot of presses don’t want to take a chance on new authors because of the high probability that the book won’t sell enough copies to cover the advance.
If you are lucky enough to earn out your advance, then there’s a possibility of royalties, which are much smaller. Usually 5%-10% on print books and 25% of net on ebooks. But in reality, many traditionally published books sell between 1,000-5,000 copies. While those numbers are a lot more appealing, the smaller royalties mean the author’s cut per book is often far less than self-publishing.
Bottom line? Self-publishing gives you higher potential earnings per copy, but no guaranteed sales. Traditional publishing provides upfront money (depending on the press) but smaller long-term royalties.
Publishing Timeline
Traditional publishing can take years. Even if your manuscript is accepted quickly, the pipeline from acquisition to release often stretches 12-14 months. But let’s be honest, querying itself can take months if not years. Whereas self-publishing moves at your pace. Once your book is ready, you can release it within weeks.
Something I want to add here is a trend I’ve noticed with traditional publishing, and why I lean more toward self-publishing.
Marketing.
No matter which path you choose, you have to market on your own time and on your own dime. Some presses expect you to bring in an already established social media presence. Keep that in mind when weighing the pros and cons.
Control and Creative Freedom
This is where self-publishing shines. You get the final say on cover design, title, release date, and pricing. With traditional publishing, most of these choices belong to the publisher. For some people, the trade-off is worth it. For others, it feels like losing ownership of their art.
There are so many articles, blogs, and opinion pieces out there that finding the right answer can seem daunting.
So ask yourself these questions:
Do I want full control, or am I willing to compromise for industry support?
Am I comfortable investing money upfront in editing and design?
How much patience do I have? Can I wait years for a traditional deal, or do I want to publish on my timeline?
What are my goals? Prestige, income, readership, or all three?
And one of the most important questions: Am I ready to handle marketing, or hire someone to do it for me?
There’s no “one right way” to publish a book. Some authors thrive in the indie world, building loyal readerships and earning steady income. Others value stability and validation of traditional publishing. Many walk a hybrid path, mixing both. Today, you have more opportunities to take your author career in any direction you choose. Research your options and make your own informed decision based on your goals. Most importantly, success is different for everyone. Don’t be afraid to go after yours.
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