Should You Self-Publish or Go Traditional? Here’s the Truth

You’ve poured your heart and soul into your first draft. You edited it. You had your mother proofread it, and you showcased it to your friends and family. This is potentially the first book you’ll ever publish. You're excited about how it’s going, that you’re finally going to become a known author, booking events at libraries worldwide and maybe even selling signed copies of your book.

Then comes the brick wall: publishing.

• How is the world going to see your book?

• Should you become a self-publisher?

• Should you look into printing services?

• Should you consider Amazon?

You ask yourself these questions until you burn out…

So here’s the truth about book publishing.

Fake backstory aside, publishing a book is a real struggle that many authors face, including well-known names like Neil Pasricha, Eckhart Tolle, and Latoya Belfon. All of them started their journeys asking the same question.

Self-publishing isn’t a shortcut, and traditional publishing isn’t a golden ticket that instantly gets your book worldwide exposure. So let’s start with traditional publishing.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing means you query a literary agent or publisher. They handle editing, printing, marketing, and distribution. Your job is to write the book.

• Credibility: Traditional publishers are usually well-known and trusted.

• Quality: Your book gets better production and editing unless you're already an expert.

• Cost: In most cases, there's no upfront fee.

• Shelf space: Bookstores are more likely to carry traditionally published books.

HOWEVER, and this is a big however. Publishers often gatekeep.

You might be tied to strict policies and possible censorship, especially if your content doesn’t align with their brand or market. While that’s not always a dealbreaker, what is a problem is the wait time.

You could be waiting 1–2 years before your book sees daylight. Publishers juggle many projects, and the process involves multiple rounds of editing and approvals. Add to that a slice of your royalties being taken legally, of course. Welcome to the adult world: bills, taxes, rent… and now royalty cuts.

Oh, and one more thing: you’ll still be doing your marketing. Expect to post endlessly on social media to get the word out.

Self-Publishing

Now let’s talk self-publishing, maybe traditional publishing is off the table for you.

Good news:

• You get 100% control of what you say.

• You keep all the royalties (unless using a third party).

• You can publish, fast upload to Kindle, release a PDF, or even DIY-print at home.

• Your name. Your bio. Your face. Your vision.

However, this isn’t a cheat code.

If you go it alone, you become a one-person team. Without expert guidance, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. And without the backing of a traditional publisher, discoverability becomes a challenge. Libraries, bookstores, and major platforms might not accept your book.

You’ll be handling:

• Marketing

• Order fulfillment

• Tech support

• Shipping logistics

Imagine someone buys your book, will it arrive in 3 days, 3 months… 3 years? That’s on you.

Do you want full control of your publishing process?

Can you wait years before readers see your book?

Are you okay sacrificing some profits for peace of mind and professional help?

Are you prepared to be the CEO, admin, and marketing manager of your book?

Do you already have an audience or are you starting from scratch?

Who’s going to buy your book? Who’s going to read it?

These are questions you must answer before deciding between self-publishing and traditional publishing.

There’s a third option. Hybrid publishing.

Labworks Publishing gives you expert support while letting you maintain ownership and control. You invest upfront, but you keep the royalties. If you want the freedom of self-publishing with the guidance of traditional publishing, Labworks may be the best fit.

Whether you choose self-publishing, traditional publishing, or hybrid publishing, don’t expect an easy road. The process will challenge you. But that’s what being an author is: overcoming the obstacles between your story and the world.

You must choose the path that aligns with your values, timeline, and tolerance for risk.

Thank you for reading. I hope this made you think.