A North American Field Guide to Publishing Options

This comes up from time to time when I’m chatting with aspiring authors, so as a public service, I present a quick-and-dirty overview of publishing options available to writers.

PUBLISHING (also known as “traditional publishing”)

Can be a large corporation or a small, independently owned company
May or may not require author to have representation through an agent
Covers all book production costs for the author, i.e., they do not charge the author for editing, formatting, cover art, distribution, promotion/marketing, etc.
Will actively facilitate getting author’s books into bookstores and libraries
May or may not pay an advance; author makes money through book sales, a portion of which goes to the retailer, the publisher, and the author’s agent (when applicable)
May or may not actively market the author’s book
May or may not provide support in setting up author’s website and social media presence
May retain certain rights to the author’s work

SELF-PUBLISHING (also known as “independent authorship”)

No representation by an agent necessary
Author covers all costs associated with the production of the book and directly pays any contractors (editor, cover artist, publicist, etc.)
Author is responsible for books’ distribution through online platforms and brick-and-mortar venues; self-published status may make it harder to get books into bookstores and libraries
No advance; author makes money through sales, a portion of which typically goes to the retailer
Author is responsible for all marketing, either directly or through a paid contractor
Author is responsible for establishing website and social media presence, either directly or through a paid contractor
Author retains all rights to his/her work, unless the chosen publishing platform specifies otherwise

VANITY PRESS

Can be a large corporation or small, independently owned business
Generally does not require representation by an agent
Sometimes presents itself as a traditional publisher when it is in fact a self-publishing platform; does so for the express purpose of enticing authors into doing business with them
May or may not cover costs associated with a book’s production and distribution; may require author to cover costs in full or in part
May or may not facilitate distribution to bookstores and libraries; may charge a fee for certain distribution services
Unlikely to pay advance; author makes money through book sales, a portion of which is often collected by the vanity press
May or may not take an active role in marketing; may charge a fee for marketing services
May or may not assist author in establishing website and social media presence; may charge a fee for web/social media services
May retain certain rights to the author’s work