Every year, millions of books are published all over the world – and a large percentage of those are self-published fiction stories, guides, memoirs, and more.
With the rise of KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) in recent years, the number of self-published books has skyrocketed since its launch in 2007, and writers are now presented with more self-publishing opportunities than ever before.
What’s more, the traditional route – often considered thorny and full of hoops to jump through – is no longer the only option, which means that all of us get the chance to let our stories see the light of day and enter the book market.
But is self-publishing worth it?
The short answer is: it depends.
As for the long answer…
Let’s see.
The 6 Pros of Self-Publishing
There must be a reason why so many writers choose the self-publishing path, right?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, the reasons are numerous.
Self-publishing allows you to stay in charge of the whole publishing process, from writing to editing, pricing, and marketing, not to mention designing the book cover. This means that your project takes shape in the exact way you want and at a pace that suits you.
When you choose the self-publishing route, you’re giving yourself more creative freedom because you’re only collaborating with people you genuinely want to work with, not to mention you have the space to go beyond the rules and expectations involved in traditional publishing.
For example, it is more viable for you to write an experimental book or to write in a very unconventional way if you don’t have to convince a whole bunch of people that you’re going to earn out your advance and essentially become a profitable investment.
Many writers flock to self-publishing due to higher royalties. Self-published authors can usually earn up to 70% of the book’s selling price while traditionally published authors are looking at 10-15%. You can also set the price yourself.
Many self-publishing platforms give you access to global distribution, especially if you’re releasing an e-book. When you’re publishing with KDP, for example, the process is pretty seamless – there are no complex contracts to read through and no deals to negotiate.
Another big pro is that you don’t need to wait for anyone to express an interest in your manuscript, close book deals with you, or send back an edited version of your book. If you decide to self-publish a book right here, right now, you can very well do so. If you don’t hire an editor or other professionals to give you feedback, there’s almost no waiting involved for you – self-publishing is the skip-the-line VIP ticket.
It used to be the case that self-publishing meant you had to invest your own money, but companies such as KDP have eliminated that issue. Nowadays, it’s possible to self-publish a book at no cost to you – the only thing you’re giving up is a certain percentage of your royalties, which go to the manufacturer every time someone orders your product.
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The 6 Cons of Self-Publishing
Alright, now that I’ve raised your expectations and hopes, it’s time to plant your feet back on the ground.
Self-publishing isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, and before you rush into it, it’s important to keep the following cons in mind.
If you want your book to be of high quality, you will probably need to spend some money. You might think that you’ve edited your book just fine, but the moment you send it over to a professional editor, you’ll realize you’ve been sorely mistaken. One pair of eyes can only see so much. Plus, you might also need to hire a designer for your book cover.
Marketing is one of the biggest challenges of self-publishing. While traditionally published authors sometimes market their books as well, it is even more important for self-published authors to put their work out there because they aren’t backed by any publishing house. If you plan to self-publish, I suggest you start working on your social media following or on building a newsletter. You could also market your book in your local community by hanging up posters or talking to people about it.
While a traditionally published book is based on team effort, a self-published book is largely your own. This means you’ve got to carry a lot on your shoulders. You’re essentially choosing to be an editor, manager, accountant, and marketer. You’re no longer just a writer. This can be a lot to deal with.
Traditionally published authors can rely on the expert knowledge of their literary agents, editors, proofreaders, and marketing teams. They might change their book titles or make certain story changes based on recommendations from professionals who have worked in the field for decades. As a self-published author, you’ve got to figure out a lot of things on your own.
It might be difficult to get your book displayed in major bookstores because they often have deals with publishers rather than authors themselves. Many self-published books exist primarily as e-books or are sold on online platforms.
There is still some stigma around self-published books because many of them aren’t of professional quality. As a result, it may be more difficult to market and sell your book. However, plenty of self-published authors have managed to earn a full-time living, so it’s definitely possible to achieve success.
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Conclusion
So, is self-publishing worth it?
It depends on what you’re looking for and what kind of book you’re writing.
If you have a large social media following or are determined to level up your marketing game, it may be easy to find your target audience and therefore self-publish. If you want your book displayed in major bookstores and work with a publishing house, you may want to choose the traditional route.
Self-publishing works for some and not for others, so I would say it is worth it – but only if you know it’s the right choice for you.
