Somewhere along the way—usually after a few drafts and a whole lot of soul-searching—every writer faces the same question: Should I try to get a book deal, or should I self-publish?
And the truth is, there’s no right answer. The publishing path that’s best for you is the one that supports your goals, your timeline, and your strengths as a writer.
If you’re feeling stuck at this particular fork in the road, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Traditional Publishing: The Dream (and the Reality)
For many writers, traditional publishing feels like the ultimate goal. There’s a certain validation in landing an agent, signing a contract, and seeing your book in bookstores. It’s the path that generally comes with professional editing, distribution support, and an advance.
If your dream is to walk into your neighborhood bookstore and spot your book on the “Staff Picks” shelf—traditional publishing is the lane you want to be in.
But the process can be long. Really long.
You’ll need:
- A polished, agent-ready manuscript
- A strong query letter
- Patience for the submission process (think months… or years)
- A willingness to handle marketing
Traditional publishing isn’t just about talent; it’s also about timing, market trends, and industry fit. What you give up in terms of control, you gain in the form of support, but that support can mean that your book reaches a much wider audience than it might otherwise.
Self-Publishing: Creative Control and Faster Timelines
On the flip side, self-publishing gives you full ownership of the process. If you’re someone who likes to be in the driver’s seat, this might be your route.
Self-publishing is fast, flexible, and empowering. You set your own schedule. You keep a bigger share of the royalties. You write the rules.
But it’s not without its challenges. You’re not just the author—you’re also the publisher, project manager, and marketing team. The job is less difficult if you’re writing in a genre like romance or thriller (genres with voracious consumers) but if you’re writing literary fiction it can be challenging to get your book into the hands of potential readers.
If that challenge excites you more than it intimidates you, self-publishing can be incredibly fulfilling.
Hybrid Publishing: A Middle Way
If traditional publishing feels too slow and self-publishing feels too overwhelming, hybrid publishing might offer a balanced alternative. Hybrid publishers typically ask authors to contribute financially to the production of their book, but in exchange, they provide professional services—editing, design, distribution, and sometimes even marketing.
This model gives you more support than self-publishing without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing. But be cautious: not all hybrid publishers are created equal. Some are excellent partners, others are just overpriced printers. Do your homework. Look for hybrid presses that vet manuscripts, are transparent about costs, and offer a royalties structure that feels fair.
Writers who’ve gone hybrid often say they liked having professional guidance without needing to chase down an agent. It’s especially worth considering if you want to publish on a timeline, but still crave the polish of a team behind you.
Choosing Your Publishing Path: Questions to Ask Yourself
Before choosing a publishing path, take a moment to reflect on what you really want out of the experience.
Here are a few clarifying questions:
What are your goals as a writer?
- Are you hoping to build a long-term writing career?
- Is this a passion project you want to finish and share?
How important is timing?
- Can you wait years to see your book in print?
- Or would you prefer to publish in the next six months?
Do you have the budget (and energy) to manage production?
- Are you comfortable hiring professionals for editing, book design, website creation, etc.?
- Are you excited—or overwhelmed—by the idea of marketing?
And perhaps most importantly:
What feels aligned with your why?
- If you revisit the reason you started writing this book in the first place, does one path stand out?
There’s no wrong answer here.
You don’t need permission to share your story with the world. The right publishing path is the one that gets your book into the hands of readers—on your terms. It’s not about chasing some industry ideal; it’s about choosing what works for your goals, your timeline, and the kind of writing life you want to build.
Talk about it
Whether you’re leaning one way or still sitting on the fence, you’re doing the brave work of bringing a story into the world. That counts for something.
Our community thrives on these conversations—not just for support, but for clarity.
Have you chosen your publishing path already? What helped you decide?
Or if you’re still in decision mode:
- What questions are holding you back?
- What kind of support do you wish you had?
💬 I’d love to hear where you’re at in your publishing journey, and see how we can support you every step of the way.
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