Lana
asked
Jennifer A. Nielsen:
Hi there! I really love the Ascendance Trilogy and have started reading the Mark of the Thief series! I'm an aspiring author and am currently doing research on traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, and I'm trying to get lots of different authors' opinions on it. Why did you choose to traditionally publish and what are some of its pros and cons? Thank you!
Jennifer A. Nielsen
Hi Lana - thanks for your kind words! The question of traditional publishing (TP) vs. self-publishing (SP) is rather complex, but I'll try to give my best brief take on it.
Both options can produce good books or average books. Both can pay very well or very little. Both can produce careers, or not. However, because they are different routes, they usually take you to different destinations.
So what I suggest is that you start with your goals. What do you want from a publishing career?
For example, SP offers you much more control over the book’s production process.
TP gives you significantly better odds of reaching bestseller status, getting a movie deal, or foreign sales, or national awards (though none of that is guaranteed).
SP offers you more flexibility. Write what you want, how you want, and release it when you want.
TP gives you national distribution into bookstores, access to the major reviewers, participation in national conferences.
Etc.
Success is never a guarantee with either route, and there are so many options today in publishing that it’s easy to get distracted on side roads or to choose the quick and easy. Instead, keep your eyes on your goal and then figure out the strongest path to that goal. Then don’t quit until you get to where you want to be!
Good luck!
Both options can produce good books or average books. Both can pay very well or very little. Both can produce careers, or not. However, because they are different routes, they usually take you to different destinations.
So what I suggest is that you start with your goals. What do you want from a publishing career?
For example, SP offers you much more control over the book’s production process.
TP gives you significantly better odds of reaching bestseller status, getting a movie deal, or foreign sales, or national awards (though none of that is guaranteed).
SP offers you more flexibility. Write what you want, how you want, and release it when you want.
TP gives you national distribution into bookstores, access to the major reviewers, participation in national conferences.
Etc.
Success is never a guarantee with either route, and there are so many options today in publishing that it’s easy to get distracted on side roads or to choose the quick and easy. Instead, keep your eyes on your goal and then figure out the strongest path to that goal. Then don’t quit until you get to where you want to be!
Good luck!
More Answered Questions
Sunny the Sassy
asked
Jennifer A. Nielsen:
Hello! Thanks for your great advice. I have another question. In my current story 1 of my 2 antagonists does some pretty bad stuff to my main character but later on he has a change of heart. At first it's just because he's fallen in love with her but he does realize his mistakes later. I do want him to end up with my main character but I don't know how she can forgive him and how their relationship would work? Thanks!
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