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How to Get Published: A Guide to the Two Main Paths for Authors
You have written a book. You’ve poured your heart, your time, and your craft into creating a finished manuscript. Now you stand at a crossroads, facing the single most important question of your author career: “How do I get published?” In the modern book world, there are two primary, powerful, and distinct paths you can take to bring your book to readers.
The two main paths are traditional publishing and independent (or self) publishing. They are not just different methods; they are fundamentally different business models, each with its own set of challenges, benefits, and definitions of success. This guide will provide a clear overview of both paths to help you decide which is the right one for your book and your goals.
Key Takeaways & Summary
- The Two Paths: The two main ways to get published are Traditional Publishing (selling your book to a publishing house) and Independent Publishing (publishing the book yourself).
- Traditional Publishing is About “Getting Chosen”: This path involves securing a literary agent who then sells your book to a publisher. It offers prestige and validation but requires you to give up creative and financial control.
- Independent Publishing is About “Being the CEO”: This path involves you acting as the publisher of your own work. It offers complete control, higher royalties, and a faster path to market, but requires an upfront investment.
- Both Paths Require a Professional Book: Whether you query an agent or publish it yourself, your manuscript must be professionally edited and polished to have a chance at success.
Path 1: Traditional Publishing - The Path of Gatekeepers
This is the classic model of publishing, responsible for the books you see on the front tables of major bookstores.
The Process:
Write and Polish Your Book: You must have a complete, impeccably edited manuscript.
Find a Literary Agent: You will write a query letter and submit it to a targeted list of literary agents. The agent acts as your business manager.
Go on Submission: If an agent signs you, they will submit your manuscript to editors at various publishing houses.
Get a Book Deal: If an editor loves your book, the publishing house will offer you a contract, which includes an “advance” (a pre-payment on future royalties).
The Pros:
Validation and Prestige: Being “chosen” by a major publisher is a significant validation of your work.
No Upfront Cost: The publisher pays for everything: editing, design, printing, and distribution.
Physical Bookstore Distribution: They have the sales teams and relationships to get your book onto physical shelves.
The Cons:
Extremely Slow: The process can take years, from finding an agent to the book finally being released.
Loss of Control: The publisher has the final say on your cover, title, and final edits.
Low Royalty Rates: You will earn a much smaller percentage of each sale (typically 7-15% on print books).
Path 2: Independent Publishing (Self-Publishing) – The Path of the Entrepreneur
This is the modern, digital-first path that has empowered millions of authors to take control of their careers.
The Process:
Write and Polish Your Book: You must still have a professionally edited manuscript. This is the core of our book editing services.
Hire Your Own Production Team: You hire freelancers for your cover design, formatting, etc.
Publish Directly to Retailers: You publish your book on Amazon and other platforms yourself using free services like KDP.
The Pros:
Complete Control: You have 100% creative and business control over every aspect of your book.
Speed to Market: You can go from a finished manuscript to a published book in a matter of weeks.
High Royalty Rates: You can earn up to 70% of each sale.
The Cons:
Upfront Investment: You are responsible for all the costs of production (editing, design, etc.).
You are the Marketer: The responsibility for marketing the book falls entirely on your shoulders.
Which Path is Right for You?
The “best” path is a personal decision.
Choose Traditional Publishing if: Your primary goal is the prestige of a major publisher, you want to see your book in bookstores, and you are not able to make an upfront financial investment.
Choose Independent Publishing if: You are entrepreneurial, want full creative control, desire higher royalties, and want to get your book to market quickly.
Our Amazon KDP publishing services are designed to provide the professional support you need to succeed on the independent path.
Short FAQ
Q: Do I need to have a social media platform to get published?
A: For fiction, a platform is much less important in traditional publishing; the story is what sells. For non-fiction, your “author platform” (your existing audience and expertise) is a major factor for both publishing paths.
Q: Can I do both?
A: Yes. An author who has both traditionally published books and self-published books is known as a “hybrid author.” This is an increasingly common and powerful career strategy.
Q: What is a “hybrid publisher”?
A: A “hybrid publisher” is a controversial term. It often refers to a company that charges authors a fee to publish (like a service) but also takes a percentage of royalties (like a publisher). The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has a watchdog desk that helps authors vet these companies.
