Should you go traditional or self publish?

Should you go with a traditional publisher or self publish your book? I recently signed with a literary agent, and an aspiring author asked why I decided to switch to traditional publishing with my new project. After self publishing my Sophie Washington series, I chose to explore the traditional publishing route with my latest manuscript for the chance to work with an editorial team and gain wider distribution for my work.

There are pros and cons for choosing to either self or traditionally publish your book. Check out these pros and cons and decide which path works best for you. Best wishes in your author journey!

Self Publishing

Pros:

Total control of the process

Quicker to market

Longer book shelf life

Higher royalty margins

Cons

Everything rests with the author (editing, formatting, etc.)

Harder to get books stocked in libraries and bookstores

Less time to write because of other responsibilities

Traditional Publishing

Pros

Wider distribution

Work with a team of experts

No overhead costs

Bookstore and library placement

Prestige

Cons

Time consuming

Lower royalty rates

Lots of rejection

Not guaranteed to be publishe

Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the bestselling, award winning Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Authors Guild.
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
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