Indie v Trad Publishing
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
Transcripts from a conversation with myself. Jan 28, 2025
The age-old question for any writer trying to publish a book post 2012: Should I try to publish independently or traditionally? What is my number one goal with writing? Is it to reach a large audience, or is it to make a lot of money? How much creative freedom do I really want throughout the whole process? Do I want to go through the process of handling my own social media? Although, is that really a factor any more, since I sort of already do that anyway?
All these and more, brought to you by the spiraling, whirling emptiness of possibilities!
As most writers could attest, a trusted and true pro/con list would help in this scenario!
Pros of indie publishing: The sense of accomplishment at doing it yourself! The ability to control your own timeline; The total creative freedom! The increased royalties! The whole not-having-to-be-a-puppet-to-the-demands-of-the-publishing-market thing!
Cons of indie publishing: The startup costs…
Pros of traditional publishing: The built-in market, the built-in editors and marketing teams.
Cons of traditional publishing: Lack of freedom, lack of control, the constant (possible) rejections over and over…
But, one has to stop and think, is this an over glorification of indie publishing? Is there a certain amount of fear that’s controlling such a perspective? After all, rejection is a part of life, a part of creating. Is there not a certain rite of passage that comes with being a writer, the constant rejection. Or, is that in of itself an over glorification? Who says that rejection is such a cornerstone of the writing process? Is that because previous generations had to go through it, so therefore I have to?
So, what? So, what if older writers had to deal with rejection? Does that not then make indie publishing a form of rebellion against the age-old system? If so, that’s just another addition to the pro column! Who doesn’t like a little rebellion!?
Should we not tear down the walls and not be cogs in the endless cycle of vengeance? (If I may splice together two different songs in one sentence.)
Or, is it simply not that deep? Is it just a choice that needs to be made? How about try one, or then the other if the first doesn’t work? Should you not just try again and again and again for your first choice, because society dictates that your first choice is what you deserve? In this world where so much is out of my control, should I not vy for some form of it where I can?
Aye, there’s the rub.
While one certainly has more pros than cons, the weight of them may not be equal to their quantity. Still… there’s something so enticing to my control issues about indie publishing. I want my work to reach a wide audience, yes, but it matters to me what version of my work reaches that audience…
And thus, a decision has come to pass.
Sincerely,
Me
