I’m so frustrated.

I’ve discovered that articles written to help authors decide between traditional publishing or self-publishing focus on the pros and cons of each model without providing a very, very important detail.

None of the sites you recognize and trust (I’m not going to name and shame) are willing to tell you the truth.

“Should I use traditional publishing or self-publishing?”

My experience with online author groups reinforces the need for the reality check that nobody seems to be offering.

A common post in many of these groups goes something like this: “I’m trying to decide if I should go with a traditional publisher or self-publish. What do you think I should do?”

I see some variation of this nearly every week.

The person asking the question usually isn’t a professional writer, hasn’t published any articles or short stories, and hasn’t received writing awards or recognition.

It’s their first book.

Beware the hive mind

Invariably, group members offer some version of this advice:

• “Don’t even think about traditional publishing. You’ll make more money self-publishing!”
• “You should NEVER pay anyone money to publish your book.”
• “I’ve heard so many horror stories about working with traditional publishers that I’d never go that route!”

Usually, this advice comes from people who don’t have traditional publishing experience.

There are also people who provide more informed input:

• “If you want to go the traditional publishing route, you should get an agent.”
• “If your book is nonfiction, you’re going to need an impressive platform.”
• “Before you explore publishing options, be clear on what you want to accomplish with your book. That might determine what makes the most sense.”

The painful truth about traditional publishing or self-publishing

What I rarely see among responses and didn’t find in other articles about this is a sometimes painful truth: Today’s typical author-to-be won’t be offered a traditional publishing contract.

via GIPHY

For most, self-publishing in some form is the only option.

I’m reluctant to share this reality because I feel like I’m bursting bubble after bubble after bubble.

And yet, here I am, writing about it.

I feel like I have to address it because nobody else has.

Publishers and contracts

There’s really no traditional vs. self-publishing debate. You can’t sign a contract with a traditional publisher that you aren’t offered.

In reality, publishers are increasingly selective about who they offer those coveted contracts to.

This is the case even for established professional writers with marketable book ideas. Many writers who might have gotten a contract 15 years ago are now turning to self-publishing, and not necessarily because they want to. It’s often because they have no choice.

There are a number of reasons why experienced fiction and nonfiction writers find it harder to snag traditional publishing deals today. The reasons are less important than the harsh reality that it’s not as simple as “Should I go with a traditional publisher or self-publish?”

Industry changes have created more publishing options

There’s good news, though. There are more publishing models today than ever before. And that’s where authors have real choices.

Book publishing insider Jane Friedman has recently updated her “2023-2024 Key Book Publishing Paths” infographic that clearly explains current publishing models. Studying this carefully should help you see what might work best for your writing project and budget.

Using this chart to get smart about the book publishing industry and where your book fits into it will better prepare you to ask for advice in online groups. And, when you do turn to a group for publishing input, give members specifics about you and your project that will help them provide informed guidance.

Here’s the type of information we need when you’re asking about which publishing model to use:

• Whether your book fiction or nonfiction
• The subject and category or genre
• How much writing experience you have
• Why you are the best person to write this book
• For nonfiction in particular, information about your platform (that audience waiting to buy the book because of who you are or your reputation)

Be careful about who you listen to

via GIPHY

You also want to be smart about who you select as your publishing advisors in online groups and elsewhere. The fact that we don’t know what we’re talking about doesn’t stop some of us from speaking with great authority.

And those who know the least often have the loudest voices.

As a result, authors with a shot at a traditional publishing contract don’t try to get one, while those who aren’t good candidates waste time pursuing that unlikely option.

Be sure to check the profiles behind those offering advice, too. They often offer clues to credibility.

In addition, you can usually discount comments that are barely even a sentence – “Don’t bother.” – or emotional – “Only an idiot would go with a big publisher!” Focus instead on responses that are thoughtful and specific.

Write a great book

No matter which publishing model makes the most sense for your situation, never forget that you must write a great book. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can do that to get a publishing contract, but it’s also important when self-publishing. The reason is simple: Readers want good books.

Mediocre books rarely soar unless someone is gaming the system. And sure, a so-so book can become a momentary best-seller in a small niche Amazon category, but that doesn’t mean it reached a lot of people or became beloved or even recommended.

Whether you’ve received a traditional publishing contract, opted for a hybrid approach, or have put together your own self-publishing team, it’s all about the book. The shortest route to publishing success is to write a high-quality book that people want to read.

Did you pursue a traditional publishing contract? Did you get one? Tell us about your experience in a comment!

(Editor’s note: This article was first published in September 2018. It has been updated and expanded.)

It started with a member asking for feedback about the fees a publisher was going to charge him. He thought it would be smart to ask around before signing a contract.

He got good advice — some in the group with relevant experience told him they thought the price was too high for what he was getting — but he also received advice that was just plain wrong.

Only one book publishing model? Huh?

In particular, several members insisted that there is only one book publishing model. It’s one in which authors spend no money to bring their book to the world.

One member wrote, “No… no…no… no… if they are publishing you then there should be NO charges. Sorry, but that’s bullshit.”

Another wrote, “No reputable publisher is going to ask for money up front.”

And yes, this feedback was in a group is for self-published authors. Ironic, yes?

Their advice reminded me of how little some people know about the book publishing industry today — versus even 10 years ago — and how careful authors need to be about who they listen to.

Book publishing can involve spending money

The group members who insisted that the only book publishing option available is one in which the publisher assumes the financial risk and the author pays nothing are just plain wrong. It’s one publishing model, but it’s not the only one.

In reality, most self-published authors are (or should be) spending money to publish their books. Most can’t publish a quality book without contracting with professional:

• Editors
• Cover designers
• Interior designers for print
• Printers for hard copies when desired

All of these services cost money.

What the “a publisher should pay you, not the other way around” people don’t understand is that most of today’s authors aren’t going to find a publisher that will underwrite their books.

Quite simply, there are more books than there are publishing contracts.

Because of that, authors-to-be with a book in them have to foot the publishing bill themselves. They can go completely D-I-Y (not recommended), they can contract with a collection of specialists for the services required, or they can outsource everything to a company that will manage the people and processes required.

Jane Friedman’s most excellent chart on book publishing models

But don’t take my word for it.

Publishing industry consultant and expert Jane Friedman recently updated her chart detailing publishing models. I reprinted the first one in my 2013 article, “5 models for today’s book publishing.”

Friedman’s revised chart, below, details six publishing models.

To quote the annoying Flonase commercial that suggests we aren’t good with numbers, “Six is greater than one.”

To see this chart in full screen format, click on this link: 2016 Key Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman.

As you can see, there are three traditional publishing models (green, left). With these options, publishers take on the financial risk and you are either paid an advance against royalties to write the book, or, as is increasingly the case, you get no advance, but don’t have to spend your own money to produce your book.

Under the alternative options, you’ll see that the self-publishing column (second from right) offers several different options within that model.

If you’re new to book publishing, study Friedman’s chart carefully so you know your options and potential expenses.

I also recommend visiting her site, subscribing to her twice-monthly newsletter (a message will pop up on the screen), and subscribing to her blog.

Who do you trust?

Which brings me to another point: Be careful about whose advice you take.

I wrote about something similar, vetting the people you hire, in “6 steps for vetting your vendors.”

Please consider reading that article. The people you listen to online aren’t necessarily going to be people you hire, but you want to apply the same thought process to those you might be drawn to online.

Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind as you monitor their contributions to groups and discussions:

• Are they “one trick ponies?” By that I mean, do they keep repeating the same message, or is there depth and breadth to what they offer?
• How do they present themselves? Are they confident, or is what you’re seeing actually arrogance? Are they open to differing viewpoints, or do they shut down anyone who mentions a different experience or viewpoint?
• How do others in the group respond to them? When you don’t know what you don’t know, it’s hard to distinguish between quality advice and B.S., but if others seem to consistently validate their feedback, it’s likely they know what they’re talking about.

I shudder to think about how many people in the Facebook group I mentioned at the start of this article were discouraged by the loud voices saying that there’s only one way to publish a book. After all, they probably joined the group because they heard that self-publishing makes it possible for anyone with a story to tell to bring that story to the world through a book. And here was someone telling them with great confidence that everything they thought they knew was wrong.

If it doesn’t sound right, and especially if others are disputing it, do some independent research to either verify or disprove what you thought you knew.

Two more thoughts to keep in mind

I hope you’ll also remember two more things:

1. The loudest voices aren’t necessarily the wisest ones.
2. There are many ways to publish your book today. Learn as much as you can about the option that seems to be the best fit for your situation before proceeding.

There’s a lot of noise out there. I wish you luck finding the wisdom in all that sound — but there are a lot of wise and talented people — like Jane Friedman — sharing what they know. You just have to find them.

How do you decide who to trust, whether you’re looking for advice or someone to hire? Please share your advice in a comment — I’m sure it will help all of us.