What Publishing Options Are There? Exploring Different Ways to Publish Your Book

What are the different routes to publishing? 

Understanding the different routes to publishing is crucial before you start your publishing journey. As the publishing landscape has evolved, so have all the options for aspiring authors. It’s incredibly exciting, but quite confusing, too! 

So what is the difference between traditional publishing, self-publishing and hybrid publishing? What are the pros and cons of each? 

We’ll explore all the different avenues you can take to get your book to market, to help you make an informed decision. 

Traditional/Mainstream Publishing

Traditional publishing (or mainstream publishing) is the term given when a publisher takes on all the creative and financial risks in publishing your book. True traditional publishing means an author will make no financial contribution – but they will (as all authors are) be expected to participate during the marketing and promotion stages. 

Traditional publishing has historically been seen as the pinnacle of success for an author, with a publishing contract from one of the large publishing houses a sign of achievement and an acknowledgement of the quality of the work. While traditional and mainstream deals are still highly sought after, not every writer is now judging writing success based on the name of the publisher, and in today’s more fragmented publishing industry, different routes to book publishing appeal to different writers. 

That said, there are advantages to being published via the traditional route and these include: 

• A publishing team that will make the key creative and marketing decisions based on their knowledge and industry trends to maximise opportunities for the book.
• Traditional publishers will handle the marketing, distribution and sales, leveraging their established networks to get your book to readers. In addition, bookshops are often more receptive to the publishing output of big or traditional publishers as they have established distribution and promotion plans in place.
• Mainstream publishers also have rigorous editorial processes – meaning that the book is shaped by editors, ensuring it is targeted exactly to the market it was commissioned for and, importantly, is error-free.

There are also, however, disadvantages to having the mainstream publish your book:

• You can lose creative control. Decisions about cover design, content and how your book is promoted are not fully in your hands.
• Only some books taken on by the big publishers will be lead titles with the big launches and backing – other books are midlist titles that are not necessarily able to receive equal amounts of attention.
• There will be longer lead times for publishing programmes as the mainstream is less reactive in getting books to market than indie and self-publishers.
• Publishers who fund the publishing are looking to maximise their return on investment, therefore future deals are always dependent on how the last book performed in the marketplace.
• Royalties are significantly lower than hybrid and traditional publishing options, with percentages often staying below the 10% mark.
• Mainstream publishing is competitive with many authors submitting work and being rejected. The main route is often via submission via literary agents – which can also be highly competitive and restrictive for authors. We recommend studying the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook to learn more about how to pitch to a publisher or agent if you are interested in getting a traditional publisher to publish your book. 
   

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing allows authors to take full control when they publish their book BUT self-publishing also means that all the risks, creative and financial, rest with the author, who funds the entire project themselves. There are different ways to self-publish and understanding the differences when looking to publish your book can help you make the right decision about which route will suit you.

Direct Publishing Platforms / Print on Demand: 

Self-publishing on platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark enable authors to upload and distribute their books globally in both digital and print formats. Authors upload their own formatted book and cover files to their chosen platform(s) and have to manage every aspect of how the book looks. 

If you'd like professional services, such as a copy edit or cover design, you can always combine a direct publishing platform with a professional publishing service, to enhance your book's quality. Companies like Indie-Go offer independent, high-quality options for authors seeking to pick and choose what services they'd like for their book. 

These platforms can have limited print options and often will be limited on what online retailers they can reach (for instance, if you publish with Amazon Kindle Direct, you will only have your book listed on Amazon). If you seek to see your book published in physical bookshops, this also isn’t the route for you: bookshops require books to be printed via a print run rather than print on demand. Alongside this, it can be difficult to get good visibility with a book that is only stocked on online retailers, as there are so many titles listed on there. 

Full-Service Self-Publishing: 

Companies like Troubador offer what’s known as full-service self-publishing. They provide a wide range of services, from editing, book production, audiobook and ebook production, distribution, sales and marketing to authors looking for all the services provided by a mainstream publisher – but allowing them to retain the creative control that self-publishing brings. Via full-service self-publishing, authors can access expertise and skills in publishing, marketing and distribution to ensure their book is indistinguishable from those on sale in high street bookshops. Troubador’s ability to stock print runs allows self-published authors to be stocked in physical bookstores, and other added benefits, such as cover enhancements, which contribute to a high-quality publication. 

Full-service self-publishing has a higher cost point than the direct-to-platform options, as authors are accessing the skills and expertise of a team who understand the book publishing and marketing processes and which has access to wider retail markets – but the results are a high-quality product, that stands out on any bookshelf. 

Compared to traditional publishing, self-publishing offers faster time-to-market and the author retains more creative control of the project. Authors earn higher royalties per sale compared to traditional publishing royalties, especially in digital formats (but often sell fewer copies against the mainstream route). Disadvantages are that self-publishers who are inexperienced can make the wrong choices of book, format and genre, lacking the skills to provide professional-looking books, miss out the important editorial stages and can find managing all the different aspects of self-publishing challenging. With the full-service route offered by companies such as Troubador, however, these are mitigated, as there is a team of experts working alongside you.

Hybrid/Partnership Publishing

Hybrid publishers – which include companies such as The Book Guild – combine elements of traditional and self-publishing, offering a middle ground for authors seeking a customised publishing experience. Partnership / hybrid publishing essentially shares the costs of publishing between the publisher and the author – with the publisher bringing expertise and skill to the project and the author supplying the manuscript, and with both parties making a financial contribution. This can be more effective for authors looking for something more akin to full-service self-publishing. HOWEVER some less reputable operators in the hybrid market are known for overcharging and underdelivering, so always do your research. Again, the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook is a good place to learn more about reputable partnership publishers. Hybrid publishing also offers less control for authors, as the publishing house will make decisions that are optimal for the market. This selectivity also means they will not take on as many titles as a full-service self-publisher so, depending on your title, they may or may not express interest, depending on commercial value. 

Partnership publishers should offer: 

• Selective submissions, accepting submissions based on quality and market potential – in the same way as traditional publishers.
• Sharing the publishing costs with the author – providing the publishing expertise and funding some of the publications so that authors benefit from professional editorial, design and distribution services.
• Clear royalty structures. The royalty structures amongst partnership and hybrid publishers can vary, so always make sure you know exactly what the deal is – most offer higher royalties than traditional publishing, but lower than self-publishing platforms – as the publisher is sharing the financial risk. 

Resources for Aspiring Authors 

As we've mentioned, there are a few resources that aspiring writers should always consult before they decide to proceed with a publishing company: 

• Writers and Artists' Yearbook: this is an essential tool for anyone looking to navigate the publishing industry. It offers up-to-date contact details and submission guidelines for ltierary agents, publishiers, newspapers, magazines & journals and writing prizes, as well as offering practical articles and advice. 
• The Alliance of Independent Authors: ALLi empowers indie authors by offering educational resources. 
• Trustpilot: always check your chosen publisher's rating on Trustpilot. It gives you the opportunity to see if people have had a positive experience, any difficulties they've encountered, and whether they're the right fit for you. 

Summary 

The publishing landscape has changed significantly, offering authors a wealth of options for publishing their book. Gone are the days of DIY self-publishing –  self-publishing is now a viable option for authors seeking a professional-standard, high-quality publication. 

Measuring the pros and cons of each route in accordance with your goals, book and budget is crucial and remember, before you commit,  research your chosen publishing provider thoroughly, to ensure that you are happy that they will provide the positive author experience and the end product (a beautiful publication) that you'd like.