If you are struggling to decide between self-publishing and traditional publishing, you are not alone. Many others are in the same position as you. While making a decision can be a challenge, weighing the pros and cons of each option can make things easier.
Several accomplished authors start their writing journey as a self-publishing author, and you can take this rewarding path, too.
If you are not sure about choosing self-publishing, here are some benefits to consider.
1. Enjoy Full Control
One of the biggest reasons why authors love self-publishing is because they have complete creative control of their books. Unlike a traditional publishing experience, you will not have to worry about what your publisher and their editor think about the manuscript. If you like it, it is a good enough reason to publish your book.
After all, every writer has a vision when they start writing their manuscript. Unfortunately, many authors feel that their vision is lost when editors get to work on their work through traditional publishing. They often find their work in a state where they can no longer recognize it.
Instead of giving someone else the creative control of your book, it is always better for authors to self-publish. This path will help you not only ensure that your manuscript is just the way you want but also that other important decisions, such as the cover design and formatting, are finalized according to your preference.
2. Publish Quicker
Every author wants to publish their book as soon as they have finalized their manuscript and a book cover. Of course, authors are never recommended to rush this process, but there is nothing wrong with wanting the process to be a bit more expedient.
Authors who have self-published and traditionally published their books in the past can agree that self-publishing can be a lot quicker than the other path. You can expect to see your book listed for sale relatively quickly after you have completed your manuscript by choosing self-publishing.
3. Overcome Worries about Approval
If you have already tried to publish your book traditionally, you can agree that approvals can take up a lot of your time. You may have to wait for weeks and even months to hear back from agents and publishers, even if it is a rejection.
These rejections or complete silence from agents can affect a writer’s confidence about sharing their work with the world. They may feel that they are not skilled enough to publish a book. However, just because your work is not confined to their winning formula does not mean that it is not good enough.
Instead of waiting for approval from traditional publishers, you can have confidence in your work and self-publish it. This path will help you get your work published quicker without hurting your self-respect. Once you have enough confidence in your work, you can consider traditionally publishing your book as well.
4. Receive Higher Royalty Rates
Whether you are writing a memoir to be remembered by or a romantic fiction just because you have a great story in mind, in any case, you must be looking forward to writing as a source of passive income. Some authors even aim for writing to be a full-time job.
According to Forbes Books, authors who choose to self-publish receive 20% to 100% of the royalties. If you want to secure the highest royalty rates, you must search for how to publish your own book. Self-publishing is the best path for someone trying to make the best of their royalties.
5. Retain All Rights
Publishing your book traditionally means that you give away all the rights to your literary work. Many authors often regret this decision because they do not have a say in anything that happens to the work they spend months and even years to create.
On the contrary, self-publishing allows authors to retain all rights to their work. Every creative decision is made by the author alone, unlike the traditional publishing path. Whether you want to transform your book into an eBook or an audiobook, the final decision is yours.
6. Set the Price
Authors are drawn to self-publishing because they get to choose the retail price of their book. After all, no one understands how much time and resources created the book that you want to publish better than you. Hence, this decision must lie on your end.
Authors who traditionally publish their books have no control over their prices. However, self-publishing authors have complete control over this aspect of their book. It is often considered to be the biggest benefit of self-publishing.
As a self-publishing author, you set the retail price of your book that suits you best. Since you are responsible for covering the costs of publishing the book, you have the right to adjust the book price accordingly.
7. Eradicate Self Doubt
You may have noticed that most authors start their journey by self-publishing. It is not just a coincidence. In fact, authors research their options well to understand that self-publishing may be the best choice for them.
The biggest reason for this is that every novice author has some fear and self-doubt in their heart. They are not sure whether they will be able to win over the hearts of their audience. If you also have these doubts, it is always a good idea to clear them through paths like self-publishing.
This way, you will not have to worry about harsh criticism from your publishers and agents. Instead, you can work based on the interests and suggestions of your audience to bring out the best in your work.
8. Build Your Brand
Whether you are trying to build a personal or a business brand through your book, self-publishing opens more doors of opportunities than publishing your work traditionally. Since you have complete creative control, achieving your personal goals is easier.
If you are not sure where to begin, you can ask a self-publishing coach to guide you. These professionals understand the challenges of your industry and can help you navigate them effectively.
