Deciding Between Traditional and Self-Publishing

home title Posted on Jan 23rd, 2013 | 42 comments home title

It’s rare for me to post anything strictly promotional here on my blog, but today is a special day for me. My first self-published e-book is now available on Amazon! Here’s the info:

 

How Do I Decide? Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

 

How Do I Decide?
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

 

There is plenty of information available on both traditional and self-publishing.

But how do you decide between the two?

How Do I Decide? is a concise, definitive resource that will guide you through the decision, allowing you to ignore the noise and hype and focus on the right path for YOU. This is a fair and balanced approach that avoids favoring one choice over the other—and instead shows you how to determine which best fits your own situation.

About 50 pages jammed full of insider information, How Do I Decide? gives you the facts you need to make an informed choice. It walks you through the various steps of the publishing process so you can determine which road best suits your personal goals, temperament, and level of previous publishing experience.

How Do I Decide? is brief, yet comprehensive, and includes:

• an overview of the current publishing landscape
• an outline of the path to publishing
• a user-friendly checklist to help you figure out your path
• pros and cons of traditional publishing
• pros and cons of self-publishing

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• An eye-opening infographic that’ll help you decide
• A “quiz” to streamline your decision-making process
• Additional resources with links to further information

* * *

The e-book is available now on Amazon by clicking HERE. It will soon be available on Barnes & Noble online, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and other sites as well.

I’m excited to join the ranks of self-published authors, so that I can truly know what it’s like on BOTH sides of this publishing world!

 

Be Sociable, Share!
Tags: |
  • http://thoughtsthatmove.blogspot.com/ Wendy Paine Miller

    Congratulations! So exciting, Rachelle. Can’t wait to read this.
    ~ Wendy

  • Jeanne T

    Congratulations, Rachelle! I remember you mentioning these books a few months ago. I’m looking forward to reading what you’ve written!

  • http://writingwhilethericeboils.blogspot.com/ Debbie Maxwell Allen

    Great news, Rachelle! I think the book will help lots of people like me make an important decision.

    ~Debbie

  • Pingback: Deciding Between Traditional and Self-Publishing | Page Pounders

  • http://www.freetoread.net A. K. Vaughn

    Congratulations and thank you. I look forward to reading and utilizing your work.

  • http://www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com Courtney Walsh

    Timely and important! Thank you for taking the time to write this, Rachelle! :)

  • http://cindyspriggsfanpages.weebly.com Cindy Sprigg

    I thank you for the thought and work put into this book but I have one comment. Your title implies that this is every writers CHOICE,when in fact this is not the case.
    It would be true to say that it is every writer’s choice to *pursue* traditional publishing, but success depends upon a host of factors outside the control of the writer.
    In obtaining an agent, one can send off query letters from now until doomsday, but unless you catch the interest of an individual, there is little chance of being contacted. Without an agent, the pool of prospective publishers available is extremely limited.

    • http://www.penultimateword.com Arlene Prunkl

      Cindy accurately pointed out that self-publishing is rarely an author’s first choice (although I have had several authors who chose to self-publish, citing getting their book to market in a timely fashion and control of their final product). Most authors know they have little chance of finding a traditional agent and publisher.

      However, the traditional route is still the lofty dream of many authors. Hopefully this book will open their eyes to the realities of both trying to find a path to traditional publication as well as the pitfalls and expenses of self-publishing.

      I plan to recommend it to any of my future clients who aren’t sure of which route to take. Thanks, Rachelle!

    • http://www.wordsxo.com Julia Munroe Martin

      I’m really glad to see this comment… it’s been my thought too. I’ve tried for many years to be traditionally published (through both agents and the publishing house slushpiles) and although I’ve had very good editorial feedback — and even came super close to landing a book deal — the traditional route still eludes me. Consequently, I’m self publishing my latest novel… but it was definitely not my first choice to do it that way.

  • http://authorheatherhart.blogspot.com/ Heather

    Congrats! Looks like a Gem.

  • Melanie Schulz

    When I first saw the title of the book I thought “She’s in the publishing world aka on the other side of the fence.” And then I saw you self-published this book, which makes me very interested to read it.

  • Davey

    Yay! Congrats, Rachelle. So glad you’ve been able to produce and make available such useful information.

  • http://careann.wordpress.com Carol J. Garvin

    Congratulations, Rachelle! I wish you much success with it.

    Experiencing publishing from both perspectives is fascinating. This winter I self-published a children’s book on behalf of an elderly relative. It was challenging and rewarding but I still have every hope of following the traditional route for my own novels.

  • http://www.facebook.com/DavidBazzettWrites David Bazzett

    I added it to GoodReads.com for you, so I could add it to my To Read list.

  • http://ilovefreesoap.blogspot.com Liz Pieri

    Would love to read on my iPad! When will it be available on iBooks?

    • Jeff Cochran

      iPad Kindle app…

      Just sayin’

    • Teri Moore

      I.have an iPad and I get all my ebooks from Amazon.

  • http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/ Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    Very much needed, and your writing style is reader-friendly and very accessible. It’ll be a must-have for all writers.

  • http://www.sueharrison.com Sue Harrison

    Hooray!! Congratulations!!! I’ll be telling all my writing friends. Can’t wait to read it!!

  • Sidney Ross

    Rachelle,
    WELCOME to MY SELF-PUBLISHING WORLD.
    I moved in the last quarter of 2010. It’s a pretty fair neighborhood. Not too much traffic, never a drive-by shooting, & on pretty much every holiday, everyone is out of town. So be extra careful, you might wanna have your newspaper stopped and at the very least, leave a light on. Or just check with me and I’ll keep an eye on your place. No charge, I’m a ‘no thrills’ kinda neighbor. The mailman is a bit of a slackard, constantly putting everyones mail in the wrong box, so be mindful of that. Well, I’ll be by with a slab of some cured fatback, a pound-a-two of my best chitlin loaves and a mess of seasoned collard greens soon. So keep your eyes peeled or your widow open for the smell. You’ll see my ‘ol bucket coming down the road, a 61 Falcon. Still has the dirt in it from 63 on. I reckon the smoke might see your place first, no smoke rules in North-Cack-a-lacky.

    I love the dueling guns on the cover of your: H.D.I.D.? Excellent choice and congrats. If the inside is as spiffy and shiny as the cover(shinier than my collection of old dodge lancers)then pardon the expression: You’ll be a BING BANG long before either pistol is fired.

    facebook: Sidney Ross/SydrycalWorks

  • http://christianmomthoughts.com Natasha

    Awesome! Just bought it, and am excited to read it. Thank you!

  • http://Www.martzbookz.com Martha Ramirez

    Congrats, Rachelle! Your book looks awesome! How exciting!

  • http://Www.martzbookz.com Martha Ramirez

    Looking frwd to reading.

  • http://Www.dineenmiller.com Dineen Miller

    Congratulations, Rachelle! Absolutely thrilled for you, my friend!

  • http://karenhayesmitchell.vpweb.com/default.html Karen Hayes-Mitchell

    What a great book. Since I started writing my book, I have flip-flopped on this decision. I just finished my novel and need to make my decision now. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Now I have unbiased information and a clear path. Thank you so much!!!

  • http://www.sueharrison.com Sue Harrison

    I downloaded the book last night from Amazon and have read the first few chapters. Great style! Very interesting content!! The subject matter is something that has needed to be addressed in a book format. Excited for you, Rachelle!

  • http://www.debhathaway.com Deb Hathaway

    With so many decisions to be made while actually WRITING a book, I am happy to see the publishing route decision made easier by reading your book.

    Congratulations!

  • http://theotherstephenking.com Stephen H. King

    So, you’ve written a book on what it’s like on both sides of the publishing world in order to see what it’s like on both sides of the publishing world?

    - TOSK

  • http://leahegood.com Leah E Good

    Congrats! I’ve been looking forward to your writing books coming out.

  • http://beautifully-made.org Barbara Koob

    Thanks for this timely info! Congrats too!

  • http://www.karenleehallam.com karen

    Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear about your discovers and your comparative notes.

  • http://einefeistyberg.wordpress.com Cherry Odelberg

    What a milestone. Congratulations!

  • http://www.nataliesharpston.com Natalie Sharpston

    Love the cover – dueling opposites… two sides of the same coin… and green for “go!”

    Super cool that a motivation for you to self-publish was to have a real, hands-on experience of the process so you could better identify with writers.

    I imagine there could be annual updates to this as the industry continues to evolve.

    Looking forward to downloading this on my Nook once it’s available at B&N.

  • Neil Larkins

    Welcome to the dark side (or is that dork side?…he he) Made my own foray into it a year or so ago. Two little works now. Nothing in the way of sales and hope you do better but I only have myself to blame for that lack (a kajillion excuses that don’t fly). Thanks for all you do!

  • Sidney Ross

    Will everyone please cut the “cry” party about not being published? Oh god, you nah’ nah’ n’ nah nah’s are driving me nuts! Go make a name for yourself, go gobble a squirrel on the 6 0′clock news or something and somebody will pick you ‘up nationally. Then you’ll have an audience for god’s sake and you can start your professional writing career. Better write your squirrel writhe in fiction instead of non’ though. The earthies will be after you the rest of your days, if you don’t.

    Oh Rachelle,
    I, oh gee! You’re only on ‘kindle edition buy’ now. I’m gonna go back when somebody cuts another tree down to wrap around your words. I’m a big tree hugger(baseball bats and books that is). Hell, I couldn’t sniff a kindle if it were burning in my fireplace, I’m a tiny bit ‘ol school; if you know what I mean? . …You did certainly get some lucky karma on your first swing at self-publishing though! I mean, right off the bat too? Amazon has got your work right underneath ‘How I Met Your Mother’. Now that’s what I’m talking about! LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION !!! I can just see it now, it’s late night and some drinkin joe’s got his wife seaching amazon for old editions of “how I met ya muda” she finds your $3.99 ‘how’ under “how” and ‘how i met your mother under’ “how” at $19.99. Says to the hubby, “hey, hey hey- they got some green one’s here for just $3.99!” The hubby, slobbering in his beer replies “fer that price git me 6 a dem” CHA! CHING! for Rachelle.

    • Sidney Ross

      :) ’s all around.

  • http://www.elisapulliam.com/ Lisa

    That is very cool. Adding it to my reading list!

  • Joanne Wiklund

    Rachelle: Congratulations! I arrived at the conclusion last Fall that there was a place for both kinds of publishing. You make me feel good about the advice I gave people looking for ways to publish their work.

    There is no “one size fits all” in the publishing world today, and each author must educate and experiment in the search for the method which fits their work.

    This is a must read! j.

  • http://thefastfingers.com/ Rutchie

    Congratulations Rachelle! It will be a great help for aspiring self-published author. Your book will help them decide! Long way to go!

    • http://thefastfingers.com/ Rutchie

      Go a long way! I mean. :-)

  • Pingback: Michelle DeRusha | Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: How to Decide

  • Pingback: Choosing between Self and Traditional Publishing « Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing

  • http://www.kristaphillips.com Krista Phillips

    CONGRATS!!!! I already downloaded my purchased copy! :-)

  • Jeff Cochran

    Oh crap! Another Amazon 1-click purchase. :)

    I bought this because I’ve loved the blog over the years. Even if I hate the book (I know I won’t), I’m willing to cough up some dough for the advice and entertainment I’ve already received.

  • Teri Moore

    Congrats Rachelle!

    Now that you’ve experienced it on both sides of the fence (so to speak), I’d really like to know how you would compare them. I’m sure you must have a preference of one over the other. Will you be blogging about it, I’m sure others are just as eager to hear as I am.

  • Pingback: This Week in Favs – 1.25.2013 | Author Melinda S. Collins

line
Site by Author Media © Rachelle Gardner.