Which Avenue is Right for You?
In the bewildering labyrinth of publishing, you might feel like you’ve stumbled into a strange bazaar, with vendors hawking everything from gold-plated, velvet-bound books to mystery boxes that could contain, well…anything. You’re not wrong. Publishing, in all its forms, is a bit like that bazaar—full of choices, each with its own glitter, pitfalls, and promises. So, let’s take a stroll through the main publishing avenues: traditional, self-publishing, hybrid, and vanity. I’ll guide you through what each offers, the little triumphs they bring, and the downfalls that could knock the wind out of your sails if you’re not careful.
Traditional Publishing: The Long Road Lined with Gatekeepers
Ah, traditional publishing—the dream many writers hold onto, the sparkling unicorn we chase. This is the world where your manuscript is snatched up by an agent, who then dazzles the publishing houses with your literary brilliance. They bite, they sign, and boom—you’re an author on bookstore shelves. At least, that’s the dream.
What’s In It For You? If you’re lucky enough to catch the attention of a big traditional publisher (think Penguin Random House or HarperCollins), they’re going to foot the bill for most of the big-ticket items. Editing, cover design, printing, distribution—it’s on them. And that sweet, sweet advance they offer? That’s cash in your pocket upfront (though don’t imagine it’ll be six figures unless your last name rhymes with “King”). You’ll get industry professionals backing your book, which means higher chances of landing in prestigious spaces like bookstores, libraries, and maybe even Oprah’s book club if the stars align.
Royalty rates? Expect 10-15% of the book’s retail price, after you’ve earned out your advance. Sounds slim, but remember, you didn’t fork out money for the upfront costs. The publisher is taking the financial risk. The catch? You’ll need to sell a lot of books to start seeing real profits.
The Dark Side Traditional publishing moves at the pace of a tortoise with a PhD in bureaucracy. It’s slow. From querying agents to final publication, the process can take years. If patience isn’t your strong suit, this could be maddening. And don’t get me started on control—you’ll have little say over the cover design, marketing, or, in some cases, even the title of your book. Also, getting in is tough. Rejection becomes your new normal as gatekeepers—agents, editors, marketers—stand between you and publication. But if you’re lucky (and persistent), the payoff can be worth it.
***
Self-Publishing: Where You’re the Boss…and the Janitor
If traditional publishing feels like trying to get into an exclusive club, self-publishing is the rebellious alternative where you create your own club. No gatekeepers, no rejection slips—just you, your book, and a world of possibilities.
What’s In It for You? Freedom. Sweet, glorious freedom. You control everything—your cover design, the title, your release date. You’re not waiting on anyone’s approval. This is the route if you want to move fast, experiment with creative ideas, or simply take charge of your author destiny. The financial model is a big lure, too. Platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Draft2Digital let you publish at little to no upfront cost, especially in digital formats. And royalties? We’re talking 70% for eBooks on KDP (if you price your book between $2.99 and $9.99). Much higher than traditional rates.
The Dark Side While you may get a larger slice of the pie, you’re also the one baking it, decorating it, and selling it. Editing, cover design, formatting, marketing—it’s all on your shoulders. That means either learning the ropes yourself (which takes time) or hiring professionals (which takes money). You’ll need to shell out for services if you want a polished product, and quality counts—especially when readers are comparing your book to traditionally published ones.
Budget $1,000 to $5,000 to get your book looking and reading like a pro’s work. This includes editing (around $500 to $2,000 depending on your editor), cover design ($300 to $1,000), and formatting ($50 to $300). Plus, there’s the cost of your time, which, as every self-pubber will tell you, is considerable. Expect to market your own book too, because the internet isn’t going to sell it for you just because you tweeted about it once.
***
Hybrid Publishing: The Best (or Worst) of Both Worlds?
Hybrid publishing is like meeting in the middle—a little bit of traditional, a little bit of self-publishing. In essence, you’re paying for some of the services a traditional publisher would normally cover, but retaining a lot more control over your work.
What’s In It for You? With a hybrid publisher, you get professional editing, cover design, and distribution, much like traditional publishing. However, you’ll likely maintain more control over your project. It’s a collaborative process, and that can be a sweet deal for authors who want the polish of traditional publishing but with a bit more say in the end product. Hybrid publishers can get your book into bookstores and libraries, something that’s tougher for pure self-published authors.
The Dark Side It’s not cheap. You’re going to pay—sometimes up to $10,000—to see your book in print, and there’s no advance like with traditional publishing. Hybrid publishers can vary in quality. Some are reputable, offering real value in terms of marketing and distribution, but others? Well, let’s just say some hybrids have been accused of charging premium rates without delivering premium results. Before you sign with one, research deeply.
Royalty rates are typically higher than traditional publishing (up to 50%), but you’ll still need to sell quite a few copies to make back your investment. Essentially, you’re betting on yourself. For some authors, it’s a gamble that pays off. For others, it’s an expensive lesson.
***
Vanity Publishing: Enter at Your Own Risk
Vanity publishing is the shady cousin of the industry, lurking at the edges, whispering promises of fame and fortune for a fee. But like most things that sound too good to be true…you probably know where this is going.
What’s In It for You? If you go this route, you’ll get a physical copy of your book—no question about it. Vanity presses will take your money, print your book, and send it to you, often within a few months. It’s quick, and there are no rejections. It’s the route of ultimate ease, where anyone can be a published author.
The Dark Side Let’s be blunt: vanity publishers are more interested in your wallet than your book. They’ll charge you thousands of dollars (usually $5,000 to $20,000) and, in return, give you a sub-par product that they make no effort to market or distribute. The books might end up in your garage, gathering dust while you figure out how to sell them. And royalties? Forget it. In many cases, they don’t pay any meaningful royalties because they’ve already made their profit off your upfront payment.
If you’re considering vanity publishing, proceed with extreme caution. Better yet, don’t. There are just so many better options out there.
***
So, Which Path Do You Choose?
When it comes down to it, there’s no one-size-fits-all in publishing. It depends on your goals, your budget, and how much control you want. If you’re in it for prestige, a slow-burn career, and don’t mind the wait, traditional publishing could be the path for you. But if you’re a control freak (in the best way) who wants full creative autonomy, self-publishing might be your golden ticket.
Hybrid publishing is ideal if you want that extra professional push without losing your voice. And vanity publishing? Well, let’s just say it’s the path best avoided unless you’ve done your homework and know exactly what you’re getting into.
In the end, it’s all about picking your poison—er, path—and making it work for you. Just remember: no matter which road you choose, publishing is as much about the journey as the destination.
Kimberly Rei
Kimberly Rei, in addition to writing creepy tales, is an editor with Black Hare Press and takes joy in offering the wobbly wisdom of her experience. She does her best work in the places that can't exist...the in-between places where imagination defies reality. With a penchant for dark corners and hooks that leave readers looking over their shoulder, she is always on the lookout for new ideas, new projects, and new ways to make words dance. Her debut novelette, Chrysalis, is available on Amazon. Kimberly lives in gorgeous Florida where the Gulf hides monsters and the sun is a special kind of horror.
Dean Shawker
Dean Shawker hails from Bracknell, UK, and now lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Dean is co-founder and editor of Black Hare Press.
Having found that his BSc in Bioengineering and BA in Digital Media were as useful in real life as calculus and geometric proofs, Dean now works in commercial non-fiction during the day and moonlights as a minion of the hell hare, Captain Woundwort, in the dark hours.
He writes speculative fiction and dark poetry under the pseudonym Avery Hunter, and edits under the name D. Kershaw.
You’ll usually find him hanging out with the rest of the BHP family in the BHP Facebook group, or here as a servant to the Stygian Lepus.
