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44 Comments

  1. J.H. Moncrieff
    October 3, 2018 @ 11:30

    To me, hybrid is the way to go. It’s the best of both worlds.

    As for input, you’re right that traditionally published authors have less input into their covers, etc., but how much the author has really depends on the press. All the presses I’ve worked with, including Harlequin, have given me a great deal of input and been amazing to work with. One size doesn’t fit all, especially in this industry.

    Reply

  2. Victoria Marie Lees
    September 12, 2018 @ 12:51

    I’m terrified of this step, Juneta. Thanks for the breakdown. There’s just so much to learn and know. All best to you!

    Reply

  3. Gwen Gardner
    September 10, 2018 @ 15:51

    Lots of good pros and cons here. In the end it’s a personal preference. Have a great week, Juneta!

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:11

      Thanks for stopping in. You have a great weekend too or rather hope you had one, lol.

      Reply

  4. Lynn
    September 10, 2018 @ 12:39

    Hi Juneta, I appreciate seeing the pros and cons neatly explained. The path is so individual; trial and error, refining each decision. I wish you continued success with your writing and publishing path. I’m sorry my commitment is tardy.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:10

      Wishing you great success too. No worries. Mine on your blog was tardy too.

      Reply

  5. Jacqui Murray
    September 10, 2018 @ 10:39

    Sorry I’m so late. Somehow, I wasn’t subscribed (though I could have sworn I was–sigh). I took care of that!

    I agree with every one of the self-pub pros and wasn’t aware of a few of the trad pub pros. That one–being able to say you have an agent–that’s a biggy!

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:09

      No worries. I was late on your blog too. Glad you got that sorted. I am subscribed to your blog too. Yeah the agent thing would be great.

      Reply

  6. mpaxauthor@gmail.com
    September 8, 2018 @ 12:07

    I love self publishing. It can be frustrating, but there’s no one to blame but me. I’m building an audience, which is something I need if I ever go traditional.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 10, 2018 @ 21:51

      And that is the big thing now with traditional they expect you to bring an audience just like self publishing.

      Reply

  7. Toi Thomas
    September 7, 2018 @ 20:55

    Happy Belated IWSG Day!
    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
    I think you have it all laid out here. You make a good case for either path, or both. I think that’s what cool. We can pursue either or both of these paths.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for the recommendations.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:08

      Happy IWSG to you too. Thank you for stopping too. I agree. Having choices totally change the game.

      Reply

  8. Arlee Bird
    September 7, 2018 @ 17:40

    You make a good case for going either way, but your best point that it’s a matter of preference. I think some books might be better done with self-publishing, but being with a publisher does give a book a heightened sense of credence. Just seeing a book with my name on it as author would be cool.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:07

      Yes. I love the fact we have choices that allows to do what feels right to us. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

  9. Kalpana
    September 7, 2018 @ 03:34

    Self publishing sounds like the best bet for people like me. Thanks for providing clarity Juneta.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:06

      You are welcome.

      Reply

  10. chemistken
    September 5, 2018 @ 21:55

    Being traditionally published may give your bragging rights with your friends, but your readers won’t notice or care for the most part. If you want control of your books, you have to go indie. If you just want to write and hand off the other stuff, then you go traditional. I’m going indie because I think it’s my best route to success.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:06

      You are so right Ken. Thanks for chatting with me.

      Reply

  11. Olga Godim
    September 5, 2018 @ 20:28

    Personally, I’m leaning towards self-pub these days. It is all about priorities. What is important to you dictates your choices. And thank god, we do have choices now. The internet is a wonderful thing.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:05

      Me too. Does the happy dance for choices.

      Reply

  12. Crystal Collier
    September 5, 2018 @ 18:53

    It was definitely more exciting to be traditionally published a decade or two ago, but I guess all things change, eh? We have to be adaptable too.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:04

      Agreed. The more adaptable we can be I think the better we will probably do.

      Reply

  13. Karen at Reprobate Typewriter
    September 5, 2018 @ 17:43

    I’m dodging this question entirely on my blog, but I’m always watching the numbers (when I can get them.) Have a great IWSG Day!

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:03

      You too. Thanks for stopping by

      Reply

  14. emaginette
    September 5, 2018 @ 16:25

    You make traditional look pretty sweet. 😉

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:02

      I mostly listed the pros, but they all have their sweet spots. I lean to self-publishing or Independent Publishing which some refer to as Indie Publishing. Me always thought of Indie as being self-publishing. Thanks for giving me a shout out.

      Reply

  15. cheriereich
    September 5, 2018 @ 16:18

    It is probably easier to get into bookstores and libraries with a traditional publisher, but I hear even that is difficult these days unless the publisher is pushing your books hard. A lot of marketing falls to the author, no matter which route they take too. The best thing is we have options and aren’t limited to any one path.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 11, 2018 @ 18:00

      You are so right. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply

  16. Natalie Aguirre
    September 5, 2018 @ 12:39

    You are so right in that there is no right or wrong way to go. Just pros and cons for each choice. Doing both like you hope to can be a great balance.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:44

      The whole landscape of publishing is still changing even as other things settle, so balance may be key along with multiple streams of income.

      Reply

  17. spunkonastick
    September 5, 2018 @ 11:50

    Indie publishing still means self-publishing to me. DLP may be small but we are still a traditional publisher.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:43

      No slight intended. I am totally impressed with DLP.

      In fact that is what I thought that small publishing was traditional publishing. But when I started reading I saw where the definition used by several articles had changed some so checked Wikipedia and that was what it said.

      I agree the definition is incorrect but something to be aware of when reading and trying to analysis and gain helpful information.

      .

      Reply

  18. Loni Townsend
    September 5, 2018 @ 11:34

    Great lists of pros and cons!

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:45

      Thank you.

      Reply

  19. Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh)
    September 5, 2018 @ 10:24

    There are good points for both. I wouldn’t have done as well with my books had I gone alone though.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:47

      That is a good point but I know some who did not do well the other way either, so I think it depends on the individual and finding the right avenue for you. It is hard to know what is going to work for you. Hoping to get lucky and have both work for me. We shall see.

      Reply

  20. Christine Rains
    September 5, 2018 @ 10:01

    Great points for each type of publishing path. There’s good and bad on both sides. I had not-so-wonderful experiences with traditional publishers, and I’m much happier going my own way. I like the freedom and control.

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:49

      You are awesome. I have been impressed with your journey.

      Reply

  21. raimeygallant
    September 5, 2018 @ 09:45

    This discussion is really eye opening. Bringing up sides of the issue I hadn’t considered before. Thanks, Juneta!

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:50

      Thank you for visiting me. There are definite pros and cons for both. Just a matter for finding the right fit for you to create that magic. I

      Reply

  22. patgarcia
    September 5, 2018 @ 08:18

    Hi,

    I too am thinking about going both routes, traditional and self-publishing. I took a self-publishing course from the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers this summer and would like to publish a collection of my flash fiction. It is something I am heavily thinking about.
    All the best.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:52

      All the best to you. I hoped you learned a lot that will really help you in your course. Wishing you much success.

      Reply

  23. Angela Wooldridge
    September 5, 2018 @ 07:30

    Nice balanced look at the options, thanks Juneta 🙂

    Reply

    • admin2
      September 5, 2018 @ 12:53

      Thank you and thanks for visiting with me.

      Reply

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