I was too impatient to wait for a “real publisher”… and I ended up as an indie author with six books on Amazon and elsewhere. Authors know that publishing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every path—self-publishing, working with an indie press, or chasing a traditional deal—comes with its own mix of freedom, work, frustration, and reward.
Self-publishing is a DIY adventure. I’ve had to learn and choose everything—editing, formatting, covers, pricing, release dates, and marketing strategies. The royalties are generous compared to other routes, and I love the speed of being able to hit “publish” when I’m ready. But it’s not all roses. I’m also footing the bill for editing, design, and ads, while wearing a dozen hats at once. All those steps can be quite tedious to learn from scratch, and mistakes are costly in terms of money, time, and missed opportunities….maybe.
Independent publishers, on the other hand, offer a middle ground. A good small press will handle editing, cover design, and distribution, giving my books a polished look and wider reach than I might manage alone. They also tend to respect an author’s creative vision. The downside? The royalties aren’t as high, and smaller presses don’t always have the marketing firepower to break through the competition.
Here’s where I should warn of vanity presses who will publish anything as long as you pay enough for it. Don’t do that. Research their reputation. Real publishers pay YOU. You don’t pay them. And then there’s traditional publishing—the dream for many of us. Landing an agent and a deal with a big house means prestige, bookstore placement, and maybe even an advance. But that takes years of queries and selling yourself and your book. That’s a long, competitive road, and even when you “make it,” the publisher still expects authors to promote themselves. I tried but didn’t have time for all that.
In the end, it comes down to what you value most: total control, time, professional support, or wide distribution….or simple validation that what you’ve written can be enjoyed by others. I suspect a hybrid approach works best. I self-publish my books, but I’m not afraid to seek out providers of the most important aspect: an editor, cover designer, and marketing specialist. They help me reach new readers without giving up my independence.
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Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 