For those who have a book they want to get published, there are, luckily, multiple routes they can take. The two routes to consider are traditional publishing and self publishing. Knowing the difference between them is important in making the decision about which one you will want to take. Learn what you can about each one, then decide which one is going to be the best route for your book.

Traditional Publishing Pros and Cons

The traditional route has always been what most people would consider an option that is challenging to get into. It involves reaching out to traditional publishing houses and seeing if they have interest in publishing your book. If you have a non-fiction book, you typically sell the idea to publisher first, then write the book. If you have a fiction book, you usually write the book first and then try to find a publisher for it. There are pros and cons of taking the traditional route.

Some of the pros of taking the traditional route include that some people feel it is a more legitimate and professional route. They will ensure the book is properly edited, proofread, laid out, distributed, and has a nice cover. They will also pay you, so you haven’t invested anything more than your time. The cons, on the other hand, include that you lose some control over your book if you are new author, you may not make as much money for writing the book, and it can be tough to find someone to publish it. In fact, you may never find a publisher for your book, or you may be able to find one after months or years of reaching out to them.

Self Publishing Pros and Cons

Doing all the work yourself may seem a bit daunting to some people, but it is increasingly becoming more popular. Millions of people are taking this route to get their book out to the masses. With publishing on your own, there is no waiting around to find an agent or a publisher, you can set the timeline and get your book out for sale when you are ready to. That doesn’t mean, however, that it doesn’t come with its own pros and cons, because it does.

With this route, the pros include having more control over your work, you may be able to make more money per book sold, and you don’t have go through the painstaking task of finding a publisher. The cons include that you have to ensure your book is professional by having it edited, proofread, and paying for a good-looking cover. You also need to invest in marketing the book in order to get sales. With this route, you also have up front expenses, with no guarantees that you will make a profit in the end.

Both traditional publishing and self publishing have their place in the world of books, and each will appeal to a different author. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which route is the best one to take. Both offer opportunities and risks, and each person needs to decide which route seems like the best fit for them and their book.