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People often ask, “What are the advantages of self-publishing over traditional publishing. Each one may have benefits, and neither is best for every person in every situation. Self-publishing offers the advantage of control and much higher royalties. Publishing your book or other publication through a self-publishing company offers the advantage of control over the content of your book. You have the ultimate say as to what goes into your book or other publication. No one can tell you what you can or cannot say in the publication. This may be great, but if you want someone to help develop content of the publication, there may be no one to help. Some full service self-publishing companies offer services such as content development and editing which can remove the anxiety of feeling alone in the process. 

Publishing your book or other publication through a self-publishing company offers the advantage of control of the rights to your publication. Publishing through a traditional publisher usually offers you no control over those rights. Publishing your book or other publication through a self-publishing company offers the advantage of control of the cover. Traditional publishers generally offer you little or no say in the look of the cover. 

Another difference between self-publishing and traditional publishing is the royalty structure. The difference can be staggering. Self-publishing authors may receive five or even ten dollars or more in royalties per publication. Traditionally published authors usually make pennies to less than one dollar per unit sold. Exceptions may be top authors such as T. D. Jakes, John Maxwell, Max Lucado, and Joel Osteen. These authors may receive much higher royalties per unit sold, but this is the exception; it is not the rule. 

Traditional publishers are under no obligation at all to market your publication, and since they own the rights to your publication, you have no control over marketing. There are many stories of traditional publishers holding the rights to publications and never marketing them. Self-publishers do not market your publication either, but you at least have control over the marketing process.

As a general rule, traditional publishing makes sense for famous authors like those mentioned above. There are specific and limited circumstances where traditional publishing may be the best choice. Self-Publishing makes sense for most other authors, especially first-time authors. Today, many self-publishing companies offer a wide variety of services to give authors and artists the advantages of self-publishing with the services needed to help even the newest author or artist through the process.  

Torn Veil Publishing has moved away from self-publishing, but it is a great model for many authors. If you are interested in self-publishing, check out reedsy.com. It is a site that gives authors access to experts in the self-publishing industry. Christians may consider Trilogy Publishing. These are great ways for authors to self publish.