Self-published authors manage their own editing, design, printing, and distribution. Traditionally published authors work through a publisher that handles production in exchange for rights and a share of revenue. Both paths produce professional books. The differences are in cost structure, timeline, creative control, and distribution.

How Traditional Publishing Works

Query and submission. You write a query letter to literary agents. For nonfiction, you submit a book proposal instead of a complete manuscript.
Agent representation. An agent represents your work and submits the manuscript to editors at publishing houses.
Publisher acquisition. A publisher acquires the book. The contract typically grants the publisher rights for the life of the copyright.
Production. The publisher handles editing, design, printing, and distribution. You may have input, but final decisions on cover, title, pricing, and release date rest with the publisher.
Advance and royalties. You receive an advance against royalties (debut advances range from $5,000 to $50,000, with many on the lower end). Royalties of 10—15% of net receipts begin after the advance earns out.
Marketing. The publisher provides some marketing support. The level varies by publisher and title.

Timeline: From finished manuscript to publication, traditional publishing typically takes 18 months to 3 years, not including the query process.

How Self-Publishing Works

Editing. You hire professional editors (developmental, copy, proofreading).
Design. You hire a designer for cover and interior layout, or prepare files yourself. See Design Services.
ISBN. You purchase your own ISBN and register the book. See the ISBN guide.
Printing. You choose a printer for your print run or set up print-on-demand distribution.
Sales and distribution. You handle marketing, sales, and distribution through your chosen channels. See the Distribution Guide.

Timeline: From finished manuscript to printed books, self-publishing takes 2 to 4 months depending on editing and design timelines.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see How to Print a Book: Getting Started.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Traditional Publishing	Self-Publishing
Creative control	Limited. Publisher makes final decisions on cover, title, pricing, format.	Complete. Every decision is yours.
Timeline	18 months to 3+ years	2 to 6 months
Upfront cost	$0 (publisher pays production costs)	$2,000—$15,000+ (author pays production costs)
Royalty per book	10—15% of net (often $1—$3 per book)	40—100% of profit depending on channel
Rights ownership	Publisher holds rights (often life of copyright)	Author retains all rights
Distribution	Publisher arranges bookstore, library, online	Author arranges through distributors, direct sales
Editing and design	Publisher provides	Author hires independently
Marketing	Some (varies by publisher)	Author handles all marketing
Updates	Slow; requires publisher approval	Immediate; update files and reprint

For a full breakdown of self-publishing production costs, see Cost to Self-Publish a Book.

Advantages of Self-Publishing

Speed. A self-published book goes from final manuscript to printed copies in weeks. Origin Books’ production turnaround is 10 to 15 business days after proof approval.

Creative control. You choose the title, cover, trim size, paper, binding, price, and every word inside.

Higher per-book margin. A traditionally published author earning 12% on a $16.99 paperback receives roughly $1—$2 per copy. A self-published author who prints at $7.00 per copy and sells at $16.99 keeps $9.99 per sale before other expenses. Direct sales at events or through your own website avoid retailer discounts entirely.

No gatekeeper. Traditional publishing selects books based on commercial viability and catalog fit. Self-publishing has no selection barrier.

You retain rights. Self-published authors own their work. You can license foreign rights, sell audio rights, or take the book to a traditional publisher later.

Advantages of Traditional Publishing

No upfront cost. The publisher pays for editing, design, printing, and distribution. Authors who cannot fund $2,000—$10,000 in production costs avoid financial risk.

Advance payment. Most traditional deals include an advance against royalties. The advance is yours even if the book does not earn out.

Established distribution. Traditional publishers have relationships with bookstores, distributors, and library systems that individual authors find difficult to replicate. This matters most for literary fiction, children’s books, and gift books that depend on in-store browsing.

Professional editorial support. Traditional publishers employ experienced editors who provide developmental, line, copy, and proofreading passes. For first-time authors, this editorial process can improve the manuscript substantially.

Institutional credibility. Traditional publishing carries more weight in academic contexts, some award programs, and certain literary circles.

Hybrid Approaches

Authors can use both paths across different projects or stages of a career:

Self-publish first, then go traditional. Strong self-published sales (5,000+ copies) demonstrate market demand and can lead to traditional deals on better terms.
Traditional for some books, self-publish others. Publish a novel through a traditional house for distribution advantages and self-publish a nonfiction guide for higher margins.
Reclaim reverted rights. When a traditionally published book goes out of print and rights revert, self-publish a new edition and retain all future revenue.

A note on “hybrid publishers”: some companies use this label but charge authors high fees for services of limited value. A publisher earns money from book sales, not from fees charged to authors. Research any company before signing a contract.

Decision Framework

If you…	Consider…
Want full creative control	Self-publishing
Need the book available quickly	Self-publishing
Can invest $2,000—$10,000 upfront	Self-publishing
Plan to sell at events, online, or to a specific audience	Self-publishing
Need bookstore placement nationwide	Traditional publishing
Cannot fund production costs	Traditional publishing
Write literary fiction seeking award or review recognition	Traditional publishing
Are building a business around your book	Self-publishing

Last updated: January 2026