The Truth About Self-Publishing_ 3 Myths Debunked

The Internet is full of "myth-busting" advice columns promoting self-publishing over traditional publishing. There's a reason there aren't an equal number of articles arguing the opposite: Traditional publishers don't write blogs about publishing; they publish books – instead of writing about publishing books.

Nonetheless, here are three myths about self-publishing that tell the full story of traditional publishing versus self-publishing.  

Myth 1: Learning All Aspects of the Industry Is Vital

Self-publishing advocates pound the drum of obtaining a vast knowledge of the publishing industry as a perk of this particular DIY niche. By publishing your own book, you really do have to learn the ins and out of publishing.

One of the most common complaints from writers who've self-published, or who have known someone who tried, is having to spend countless hours on design, layout, packaging, reviews and publicity. If that's the goal, great! But for many it's not. Some writers would rather spend that time doing what they sought out to do when they decide to write a book, which is...write.

There's no downside to learning an industry inside and out, but there's a difference between having a cursory knowledge of a process and being a professional in an industry. Mainstream publishers are experts in their field. They didn't spend a few weekends learning the trade. They mastered it.

For some authors, DIY takes a back seat to YDY: "you do you." That is, they'd rather stick to writing and let the publishing professionals handle the publishing.

Myth 2: Money Isn't Everything  

Not everything in life is about money, but when you pour your heart and soul into a book that will carry your name, ideas, and reputation, money matters. A dollar spent in the free market is a product up-vote from consumer to producer. Sales mean readers, readers mean affect, and affect is your mark on the world.

When it comes to making money, self-publishing may not be as profitable as traditional publishing.

A 2014 survey found that traditionally published authors were twice as likely to earn over $100,000 compared to self-published authors. On the other end of the earnings spectrum, there were 48% more self-published authors in the $1,000 or less earnings category compared to traditionally published authors.

Not every book rakes in $100,000, of course. And most authors won't make $100,000 with or without a publisher. If you want to make more money per book, self-publish. You do make more money per book. But you don't have access to the market in a way that a publisher does.

A book that isn't selling isn't making a mark. If it's not selling and doesn't have an impact, what's the point of writing it? Self-publishing won't change that.

Whether publishing books is a side job or a career, money talks. The fact is, it talks louder for mainstream publishers.

Myth 3: Editing Is Overrated

Nobody likes a "grammar Nazi," and since most people couldn't care less about a misplaced apostrophe signifying a plural possessive, someone who's writing a book might think they’re good enough to edit it themselves. This is a very bad idea.

It doesn't take a PhD to be put off by odd phrasing or distracted by misspellings. But editors do more than just fix grammar mistakes. Organization, flow, and the pop of a strong opening sentence – or the satisfaction of a good closing paragraph – are key to keep readers turning pages. These are the reason successful books have editors.

Secondly, writers have a difficult time identifying problems with their own writing. The reason: you know what it's supposed to say, so you read over errors and look past logical inconsistencies, contradictions, and other problems of structure, content, and syntax. In a highly competitive field like publishing, books that aren't well-edited won't get a glance from a publisher. There are already so many polished books to choose from.

Thirdly, some writing just isn't mainstream. Newspapers are written at an eighth grade reading level because, for most American readers, readability and comprehension fall beyond that level. Editors don't just spice up your writing, they also simplify it to make the concepts more approachable for lower-level readers.

If you're going to pay for an editor—and if you want your self-published book to do well, you should—you might as well hand over the whole operation to the professionals. We'll edit your book before shopping for publishers!

The Final Argument for Traditional Publishing

Self-publishing advocates play the autonomy card when arguing against traditional publishing. This is a red herring. Anyone can write a book any time. There are no laws against it, and there are no "publishing house rules" that stifle free speech or the free exchange of ideas. If your book idea is good and has potential to sell, you can land a publisher.

The final argument in the debate between self-publishing and traditional publishing is this: if you believe your book is good enough to sell, traditional publishers will agree, and they'll work to polish, design, publicize, and promote your book for you. Having a book out through a traditional publisher will open more doors for you than you could ever imagine.

If you're ready to take your writing career to the next level and hire an agent who will pitch your book and land you a publishing deal, contact me today.