So, you’ve decided to write a book. Bravo for you! I am a HUGE advocate of reading and writing. Which step are you on in your current writing endeavor? Still fleshing out a manuscript? Editing? Editing again? No matter which step you’re on, eventually you will have a completed manuscript, ready to be published. The question becomes: self-publish or seek a traditional publisher?

“Professional Writers” look down upon self-published authors, as though they belonged in a leper colony. Why? Is a book that was published by a traditional publisher better than a self-published book? Certainly not. Traditional publishers and Literary Agents turn down golden nuggets all the time. Then there’s the process. Submitting hundreds of query letters to agents, and waiting and waiting for a response. If you’re lucky, someone says “yes”. Then, there’s the loss of control. Someone else will have creative control of your book, and they will most likely make changes; some you probably won’t agree with. And royalties: you may get a lot, you may get a little (20% on average). Could be paid out monthly…most likely quarterly. Things are looking bleak…

My suggestion: self-publish. You maintain creative control: the cover, the artwork, the whole nine. Higher royalties (starting at 35% if you use Amazon’s Create Space). Your work will be just that: your work. Will you have to work harder to promote your book on your own? Perhaps, but at least you’re in charge. There are plenty of free services to help you get the word out: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads.com, Amazon’s Author Central, just to name a few. I was waiting for a traditional publisher I began working with last year to finally get the ball rolling, but waiting is costing me time, and time is money. So, I’m sticking with self-publishing. It’s something to think about.

One more little tidbit to encourage you: Beatrix Potter, Mark Twain, and many other classic authors were self-published.