Today’s authors have six publishing paths to choose from to get their work published. What is the best option?
To help find which publishing path is the best fit for your writing goals and for your project, here are clarifying questions.
Answer each question honestly and in alignment with your goals for your project and for yourself.
For every path to publish your book
Complete an excellent quality manuscript
Professionally polish and edit the work
Seeking traditional publishing?
Prepare a query
Research agents, note the authors and titles the agent represents. Send a query to those who represent works similar to yours and who are open to new submissions
Create a proposal for the agent to share with potential publishers
Work with your agent’s process
Market your project long before it is available to build a platform and create buzz
Understand this process can take a couple years
Is a non-traditional path best? Take this quiz.
How do you feel about managing details like accounts, file specs, and distribution?
No thanks, want nothing to do with it
I want oversight, not execution
I want full control
What matters most to you right now?
Speed and professional execution
Publisher branding and validation
Long-term ownership and flexibility
How do you view your book?
A business asset or IP
A personal achievement
The foundation of a long publishing career
How comfortable are you hiring and managing freelancers?
Not at all
Somewhat
Very comfortable
What is your tolerance for learning publishing systems?
Low
Medium
High
How important is speed to market?
Very important
Moderately important
Not important
Results
Tally your responses. Note if the majority of your choices landed with the first option, second on the list, or third choice.
Mostly first options → Do It For You (DIFY) You value delegation, professional execution, and momentum. You want ownership without operational drag.
Mostly middle options → Hybrid Publishing You want guidance and infrastructure, but must carefully assess contracts, rights, and long-term control.
Mostly last options → Assisted Self-Publishing You value autonomy and flexibility and are willing to manage complexity in exchange for control.
Questions to ask before making your decision
Who owns the ISBNs?
Who is listed as the publisher of record?
Do I retain full copyright and subsidiary rights worldwide?
Will I have direct access to my publishing accounts, such as Amazon and Ingram Spark?
If we end our relationship, do I have the files, accounts, and metadata?
What editorial services are included?
How many revision rounds are included for editing and design?
Are cover and interior designs custom or templated?
What formats are included (ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook-ready)?
What is explicitly not included in the package?
Who is my point of contact and how often will we communicate?
What are the key milestones and approval gates?
What happens if deadlines are missed by either party?
How are changes handled once production begins?
Which platforms will my book be distributed to?
Is bookstore placement guaranteed?
What marketing support is provided?
Are number of sales or bestseller claims made in writing? (If yes, walk away.)
Is this a flat fee?
Will there be ongoing charges?
Are revenue splits or royalties paid to the provider?
Are there exclusivity or non-compete clauses?
Summary
The information in this quick guide is a tool to make an informed decision. There is no right or wrong publishing path. The best path is the one that best aligns with the project and the author’s goals.
For You
Authors can choose from six publishing options to make their project available. Each option features unique pros, cons, and tradeoffs. Understanding those tradeoffs is essential before making a decision that affects a single book, and potentially an entire writing career.
The Quick Guide to Writing Well: Publishing Paths provides the information so you can move forward with your writing goals. Get all six Quick Guides to Writing Well HERE.
