Meredith asked K.M. Weiland:

I'm a writer nearing the end (hopefully) of editing my first novel. I'm still debating between self-publishing or trying for traditional publishing. Traditional publishing is considered more "legitimate" but I don't like the idea of selling the rights and not having control over the finished product. How did you make this decision for your books? What were your main motivating factors?

K.M. Weiland As both an independently and traditionally published author, I’m a proponent of both publishing venues. Independent publishing has presented authors with previously unheard of opportunities that should always be taken into consideration and weighed against the pros and cons of traditional publishing.

However, independent publishing does not guarantee success. I’ve seen far too many indie authors who jumped into publishing, believing with all their hearts their books were polished and professional, when they were anything but.

Before opting to self-publish, I always recommend that take that extra moment to be brutally honest with themselves about their priorities. It's always worthwhile (even crucial) to hire professionals (especially an editor) to help produce a product that will enhance a career as an author, rather than tarnish it.

It's also important to realize that even if you do have a great product, there's no guarantee it will be profitable. I couldn't live off what I make from my fiction.

That said, self-publishing as a whole has treated me very well and if you can make it work, I definitely recommend it over a traditional route.

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