Is Traditional Publishing Worth It?
There’s something alluring about traditional publishing.
Many authors are drawn to the prestige, know-how, and connections that traditional publishing offers.
But let’s take a closer look.
Is it worth it to traditionally publish a book?
What are the pros and cons of traditional publishing, and vs. self-publishing, how does it compare?
This article examines the pros and cons of traditional publishing—whether with one of the Big 5 publishing companies, an independent trade publisher, or a university press.
Whether you’re a first-time author or this isn’t your first rodeo, this article is for you.
Along the way, I’ll share with you my perspectives as a nonfiction publishing coach who has worked with authors since 2017, and I’ll drop a hilarious pop culture reference later on in the cons section.
Pros of Traditional Publishing
1. Professional Experts to Edit, Design, and Sell Your Book
Traditional publishers provide experts—editors, designers, and marketers—to refine your manuscript, design an eye-catching interior layout and cover, and sell it.
They take care of it. They know what works.
2. Credibility and Prestige
Being published by a renowned publishing house adds an air of legitimacy and prestige.
It signals to readers and industry professionals that your work has passed rigorous standards.
That’s important for professors whose career trajectory depends on it. But it may also (more easily) open doors for authors to speaking gigs or workshops too.
Many readers don’t notice (or don’t care) about the name of the publisher on the book’s spine. Not everyone shops brand labels. Not everyone is status-conscious.
But there’s no doubt that just getting a book traditionally published requires an immense amount of patience, persistence and, usually, skill as a writer.
3. Wider Distribution/Better Access to Bookstores and Libraries
With established networks, traditional publishers can get your book into major bookstores, libraries, and online retailers, ensuring broader reach and visibility.
They can tap into their existing contact list.
Traditional publishers have sales reps who can plug your book to existing accounts.
As a traditionally published author, your book is more likely to be added to public and academic libraries, increasing its availability to a broader audience.
There are ways to make a self-published book available “wide,” but many self-published authors lack the access to the channels that traditional publishers have.
To be traditionally published is to have people with connections working to sell your book on your behalf.
4. No Upfront Costs
Your publisher covers expenses like editing, printing, distribution, and marketing, freeing you up to spend your time and money on other things.
Not only do they pay for these things, they do the things so you don’t have to.
They copyright it. They buy and register your ISBN. They get the book on Amazon. They get it catalogued by the Library of Congress. They make sure your book gets shipped to the bookstore. They may advertise on your book’s behalf, saving you money and time to do other things.
By definition, authors don’t pay traditional publishers anything. If they want the book, they pay you through an advance and/or through royalties (which we’ll discuss later). Once you sign the contract, for the most part, you don’t have to pay for anything (except, in many cases, for image permissions).
5. Access to Awards and Reviews
Traditional publishers also front the upfront costs of submissions to book award competitions and book review publications. These costs can be quite steep.
In short, traditionally published authors are eligible for prestigious literary awards (and often more likely to win awards).
And they have more access to reviews in publications whose endorsement is significant and/or may be seen by librarian and bookstore buyers. Likely having access to more editorial reviews—and more prestigious ones at that—is a plus of traditional publishing.
Psst, in case you’re interested:
➡️The Best Books on Getting Published
Cons of Traditional Publishing
1. It’s a Lengthy Process
For some authors, the slow pace of traditional publishing can be frustrating.
Have you ever seen the GEICO commercial with the sloth and the group of friends playing Pictionary?
The sloth starts drawing—ever so slowly—and everyone starts guessing. But when the time is up, all the sloth has drawn is a vertical line. (Turns out it was a tandem bicycle.)
How long does traditional publishing take? 12 to 24 months.
As long as sloths are slow, you could save 15 months of your time by switching to self-publishing.
2. It’s Highly Competitive
It takes time, money, and patience to get a traditional publishing book deal.
While writing their books, they invest in books, courses, and coaches, and they hire professional editors to help them craft the type of manuscript that publishers expect. That’s just what it takes these days.
Many publishers require you to have a literary agent, and even then, acceptance is far from guaranteed.
And no matter how promising a book manuscript seems, there is a lot of rejection and a lot of waiting involved.
It’s tough to get your proposal noticed and have it rise to the top of the so-called slush pile. It could take days, weeks, or even months.
And even if you get a contract, you may be surprised that not all books are given equal attention by publishers. Resources are not distributed equally.
3. Less Creative Control
Once a publisher acquires your manuscript, they may have the final say on edits, cover design, and book marketing plans, which might not always align with your vision.
You likely won’t have a say on the price or on which promotions will be offered, if any.
This can be a problem if you’re the type of person who prefers to be more hands-on.
Enneagram Type 1? Uh oh!
Many authors are also shocked to find out that they get little marketing support or guidance!
4. Lower Royalties
With traditional publishing, authors may receive an “advance” payment or payments upfront, which must be “earned out” before they receive royalties. Or they may receive a royalty-only deal.
While traditional publishing offers broader reach, royalty rates for authors are lower compared to self-publishing.
Traditionally published authors earn 10% to 25% royalties on ebook sales, depending on their contract and publisher. Traditionally published ebooks are more expensive, meaning less sales direct to consumer but more to libraries.
Traditionally published authors earn 5% to 15% royalties on print book sales (often 7.5% to 10%), depending on the format and the publisher.
Many authors with traditional publishing book deals are making $1 or $2 per book sold.
Because of standard accounting practices in the publishing industry, it may take months to receive royalty payments. Depending on the publisher, traditional publishing royalties are paid out yearly, semi-annually, or quarterly.
Self-published authors earn 35% to 70% royalties on ebook sales, depending on the platform and pricing, but earn even more by selling through Smashwords or through direct sales (minus processing fees).
Most self-published authors earn 40% to 60% royalties on paperbacks and hardcovers, depending on the platform, minus printing costs.
Traditionally published authors may earn $1 or $2 paperback sold. But many self-published authors are making $4 or $5 per book.
In self-publishing, royalties are paid out monthly, depending on the platform and number of books sold.
5. Rights and Restrictions
Many traditional publishing contracts contain clauses that limit authors and prevent them from republishing or self-publishing or doing what they wish after publication.
You may not be allowed to republish or self-publish the work (or certain formats of it—ebook, paperback, hardcover, large print, audiobook), create derivative works, or give away free chapters. Some contracts even restrict where the book can be sold or licensed.
Negotiating, retaining, or reclaiming publishing rights is challenging (and that’s where an experienced literary agent can be helpful).
If you self-publish or publish with a hybrid publisher, you’ll retain the rights and a lot more flexibility.
Is Traditional Publishing Worth It?
It depends on what’s important to you.
If you’re looking for status, expertise, widespread distribution, lower upfront costs, and access to awards and reviews, traditional publishing may be for you. Be sure to carefully vet agents and publishers, though; not all publishers are the same and individual results may vary!
If you value creative control, speed, flexibility, and higher royalties per book, then self-publishing may be your best bet. You’re just going to need some project management skills!
Self-publishing offers creative control, speed, and flexibility, with higher royalties per book sold.
Some authors alternate between self-publishing and traditional publishing. It’s increasingly rare to have your self-published book picked up by a traditional publisher, so don’t count on that.
A third publishing model, hybrid publishing, combines elements of both traditional and self-publishing but requires a large upfront investment from the author. As I write in “What Is Hybrid Publishing,” hybrid publishing may appeal to some authors. Here’s a list of reputable hybrid publishers.
