Self-Publishing. The Challenge, The Rewards.

     For years writers who are launching into the book world have been speaking up about why they want to go the route of self-publishing, or indie publishing.  Below, a young writer with some real success, Kaitlyn Davis, tells us why she self-publishes.  Her reasons are a good representation of the market.  Next week I’ll play the devil’s advocate and say why traditional publishing may be the true path of happiness.  — Win

By Kaitlyn Davis

For the past few months, as I was working on the new book in my series, I’ve been struggling with one question: Should I self-publish again, or should I try the traditional publishing route?

When I self-published the first book in the MIDNIGHT FIRE series, my reasoning was simple. I had submitted my manuscript to a few agents, never heard anything back, and wasn’t even sure if I was ready to be published. I wanted to see how readers responded to my writing, not necessarily to make a career out of it, so self-publishing was the easy and quick solution.

But then something magical happened. People actually read and liked my stories! I sold over one hundred thousand copies of my books and I fell totally in love—not with writing, which I’ve always been passionate about, but with the relationship between a writer and her readers. I fell in love with the career.

So when it came time to start my next series, I struggled with what to do. Unlike before, I had readers, I had experience, and I had a platform that a literary agent or publishing house might find attractive. The idea of getting traditionally published didn’t seem so crazy anymore. But the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if it was really for me at this point in my life.

So I turned to my usual decision-making fall back—I did some research. And here’s what I found, for anyone else struggling with this decision:

Traditional Publishing Pros:

1) Hardcover books. I’ve always dreamed of walking into a Barnes & Noble and seeing one of my books on the shelf. And there’s no doubt that traditional publishing is still the only real way to do that.

2) National distribution. Self-publishing does not have the same distribution resources. Publishing houses have relationships with buyers at all major retailers and independent bookstores, and can land great promotions through those buyers.

3) International Potential. If you have an agent, they can try to sell rights to your books all across the globe.

4) Support. Dozens of employees at the company are paid to sell your book. The editorial, design, marketing and sales departments are resources that self-publishing just does not provide at the same level.

5) An Advance. Guaranteed money in your pocket before the book is even on the market.

Traditional Publishing Cons:

1) Competition. Along with support, however, is the fact that all of those employees normally have hundreds of other books to design, market and sell. And it is possible that your book will get lost in the crowd, most often when it comes to marketing and sales. At the big publishing houses, it’s just not possible for every book to be a priority.

2) Contracts. Unless you are lucky or have a wonderful agent, most contracts will have undesirables, like an options clause or non-compete clause that might limit your ability to self-publish or traditionally publish outside of your house.

3) Lack of Control. Once you sell your book, the publishing house gains control. They determine the cover, the blurb, how it will be marketed and who it will be sold to. All of this is not necessarily bad, unless you’re a control freak like me.

4) The Wait. Let’s face it–traditional publishing is a long process!

The Self-Publishing Breakdown

Pros: Control over your book and career, speedy process, a lower price point, and no one else will ever put as much effort into your own book as you will.

Cons: No hardcovers (or even print copies in most cases), an initial investment, lack of built-in distribution channels, some might say you are not a “real” author, and you might be on your own.

What I Chose:

So being who I am, I sat down with a list many times, agonized over the options for hours, and had no idea what to do.

After many excruciating hours, I had an epiphany.  I’m 24 years old! In terms of the writing career, I’m still very young and the decision I make is not going to determine my entire future. Basically, I was being a drama queen.

And the more I thought about traditional publishing, the more I realized that at this point in my life, it is not what I want. That might change in a year, or five, or ten, but for now I’m a slightly impatient control freak! I can’t imagine signing any sort of contract with options or non-compete clauses, I can’t imagine handing important decisions like marketing and covers over to someone else, and I can’t imagine waiting two years before my next book is in my readers’ hands.

And most important, I LOVE self-publishing. I love writing any story I want to. I love designing my own covers. I love writing my book copy. I love putting marketing ideas together. I love publishing multiple books a year.

I love the challenge. And I’m not ready to pass that up.

For many authors, this might not be the right choice—but it’s a decision the writer must make for him/herself. No one way to publish is better or worse than the other, each has its ups and downs. Take your very personal choice.

     Can you think of any other pros and cons to include?  Why did you choose to self-publish or go the traditional route?

     Until next week –Win

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