Exploring the Pros & Cons of Self-Publishing

When I finished Soul Jumper, I queried it. The whole experience was amazing. I was fortunate enough to attend the Seattle Writers Conference virtually, due to Covid, and I got to pitch my book to some incredible agents. I am not anti-traditional publishing. I had fun writing query letters and yes the anticipation about killed me when it came to waiting for responses, but the process was enjoyable. I know a lot of people who’ve had a negative experience, but I think that because I started my pitching at a conference and got to see agents face to face it made it a much more positive experience for me. 

I highly recommend attending a writing conference, either online or in-person, if you plan to query your work. Knowing I would be looking at agents and not just sending off an email forced me to really prepare to pitch to them. Every agent I pitched to, asked me to email them my manuscript. I was ready for these meetings with elevator pitches and comparable titles. I knew Soul Jumper inside and out. I do not believe I would’ve had the same experience had I queried only through email. 

That being said, I love everything about self-publishing. I love that I’m on my own timeline. I love being the one to make all of the final decisions when it comes to design and covers. I love having the freedom to give away books if I want to. I make the last call on everything - color of the pages, font type/font size, what my cover looks like, and what platforms I’ll publish on. 

There are many pros to self-publishing, but some of my favorites are:

Complete Creative Control: Self-publishing offers authors total control over their work. From the book's content and cover design to marketing strategies, you make all the decisions. This creative freedom can be a game-changer for authors who are passionate about their vision. It can be a little scary to have to be so decisive. I love seeing my vision come to life, even when it’s tough to make some of the calls. I often will ask my friends or my mom for their opinion on different looks. 

Flexibility and Timeline: Self-publishing allows you to set your own timeline. You aren't at the mercy of agents or publishing companies, and you can publish when you're ready. This flexibility is particularly beneficial if you have a niche or timely topic that traditional publishers might not prioritize. The flipside here is that no one is holding you accountable. You are the only person making yourself stick to a deadline. 

Higher Royalties: In traditional publishing, authors typically receive a smaller percentage of royalties. With self-publishing, you keep a more significant share of the earnings, which can be especially lucrative if your book sells well.

Global Reach: The digital age has opened up global markets for self-published authors. Your book can reach readers worldwide, thanks to platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and others. As an indie author you are also able to send signed copies anywhere you want to. Obviously, shipping costs can get insane but you have the right to send anyone a book. You can also sell direct, which is becoming more and more popular with indie authors. You aren’t forced to be exclusive to anyone and if you choose your own website can be the only place you sell books - cutting out the middle man entirely. I sell wide, meaning I make my books available on every platform, but I am planning to do more direct sales and special packages when I release The Grand Mesa Men series.   

Revise and Update Easily: You can make changes to your book, whether it's fixing typos or updating content, without waiting for a publisher's approval. This flexibility ensures your work remains relevant. You can change your cover, or offer a specialty cover without having to wait for someone else to say it’s okay. You can offer promotional packages with character art or other extras that you have a direct hand in designing. You have the flexibility to make the “look” of your book be whatever you want it to be. 

The alternative to nearly all of these points is that when you self-publish it can be hard to be the whole package. I recently hired a social media person, and that’s been incredible. But, most indie authors handle their own social media/marketing without help. I have an editor and she is the best thing since sliced bread. Some indie authors don’t hire editors and rely only on beta reader feedback. Regardless of whether you’re outsourcing or not it is 100% up to you as the author to either do the work, or find a person to do it for you. I hired a cover designer with my first book and she’s designed all of my covers since. If you’re adding things up, self-publishing can get expensive quickly. Yes, you can publish a book for next to nothing, but to compete with what’s out there you need to look professional and have little to no errors in your writing.

The quick breakdown of what I see as the cons of self-publishing are: 

Financial Investment: Self-publishing requires authors to invest in services such as editing, cover design, and marketing. While it can be cost-effective compared to traditional publishing, it's not entirely free.

Competing with the Mass Market: Self-published authors must work hard to stand out in a crowded marketplace. The competition can be intense, and success often depends on effective marketing and audience engagement. This is becoming a less extreme point as self-publishing continues to grow in popularity. Most of the time when I’m reading I don’t know a book is self-published unless I check. 

Quality Control: Without the oversight of traditional publishing houses, there's a risk of subpar editing, cover design, and formatting if you don't invest in professional services. People who are absolutely amazing at these jobs are out there, but they will be an investment. I see a lot of newer authors asking in writing groups what they actually “need” in terms of editing and design. I understand needing to budget, but the important thing here is to know that publishing a book is not a way to “get rich quick.” It’s a long term investment in yourself and a commitment to your writing. 

If it’s within your budget, the services I believe you should pay someone for are:

Editing: Professional editing is non-negotiable. A skilled editor can improve your manuscript's quality, ensuring it's polished and error-free. I don’t care how many times you edit your own work, you are going to miss things. Please, please, please, do not publish a book if it’s never been looked at by someone else. 

Cover Design: You can do this yourself and the software is getting better and easier to use all the time. However, if it’s in your budget to hire a professional, I would. They’re able to help with what’s trendy in your genre and give you multiple covers to choose from. Also, the cover is the first thing a potential reader sees and it’s important it both stand out and look professional.

Marketing: Even the best book needs marketing to succeed. I’m not saying you need to hire an entire marketing team. But, you should put some money into your marketing. I used book tours when I launched my books. I know other authors who pay for Facebook ads. How you choose to market is up to you, but it is an area that’s going to cost some money. 

If you’re wondering what you can do on your own fairly easy, here are those things:

Formatting: Some authors do pay for this, but you don’t have to. Many self-publishing platforms offer formatting tools and templates. With some patience and attention to detail, you can format your book for digital and print publication. I chose to purchase Vellum, so I did have a one time cost, but I use it to format all of my books. 

Promotional Content Creation: Writing your author bio, book blurb, and social media posts is something you can do yourself. Personalized content also often resonates better with an audience. I use Canva and I recently started using Picsart for my promotional material.

Distribution: Self-publishing platforms make distribution relatively straightforward. You can handle the uploading and distribution process without professional assistance. You are sort of paying for distribution because the platform will get a percentage of your royalties but it’s not a cost that you really “feel.” KDP and IngramSpark use print on demand and they both work great. 

Self-publishing provides unmatched freedom and autonomy, allowing you to shape your author journey as you see fit. However, this freedom comes with a flipside: the need for accountability. As a self-published author, you must set and meet your own deadlines, manage your budget, and stay motivated throughout the publishing process. Building a dedicated writing routine and staying committed to your goals are essential aspects of maintaining accountability.

Self-publishing offers a unique opportunity for authors to bring their work to a global audience, retain creative control, and potentially earn higher royalties. However, it also demands a financial investment and a commitment to quality. By carefully considering the pros and cons, hiring the necessary services, and embracing the freedom and accountability it provides, self-publishing can be a fulfilling and successful venture for authors willing to take the plunge into the world of independent publishing. I have loved every second of my own journey and look forward to every day I get to continue doing something I’m passionate about. 

If you have self-publishing tips or questions, send them to me at shalanabattles@gmail.com