4 Reasons to Self-Publish Your Books 

What is self-publishing?

Self-publishing means an author going through the process of writing, editing, designing, marketing, and finally publishing their book all on their own with the help of some hired services, but no traditional publishing company behind them.

There are pros and cons to both self-publishing your work and seeking traditional publication, but today I'm going to focus on four reasons why you should consider self-publishing your novel.

1. Creative Control 

For some, this is the only deciding factor in choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Everything about your book is in your hands. Sure those who help you with the process such as hired editors or beta readers can have their opinion on things you may want to change in your novel, but there's no big boss with the rejection stamp standing behind you saying, "change it or else." Self-publishing gives you 100% creative control over your own work without anyone being able to take that away from you. 

2. Time To Market 

When you self-publish your book it is ready to be sold to the masses when you decide it is ready. It can be shipped out of the nearest Amazon Facility at only a day's wait while the traditional process may take months or even in the worst-case years before your book is able to be bought by readers. 

3. Moving At Your Own Pace 

There are no deadlines to meet and you are able to write, edit, and repeat on your own schedule without the calendar days circled in a big red marker of when chapter five absolutely has to be off to the editors. If you write out of sequence, such as I do where sometimes I write the ending chapter to my novel before I've even thought of where to begin it, this process might not work for you. Being able to be your own boss and write to your own schedule takes the looming weight off your shoulder such as in school when your essay had to be completed by class on Friday. Nobody needs that kind of stress in their lives nowadays.

4. Royalties

While the math on this one can become a bit complicated it's easiest to say that those who self-publish can earn a higher percentage of royalties than those in traditional publishing. Some traditional publishing companies negotiate to give authors between 5–15% while self-publishing can earn you between 30–70% depending on the site you publish through such as KDP.

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While both self-publishing and traditional publishing have their good and their bad the one you decide to go with is the one that is going to be best for you. I find that most of the authors I know have turned to self-publishing after facing years of rejection from traditional publishing companies. Not one has regretted their decision and they have been able to build their own company and brand. Because of this, they have been able to turn their writing into a full-time income.  

Self-publishing may mean more work and instead of just an author you have to learn to be an edition, a cover designer, and a marketing agent for your book and you directly influence the earning potential of your book. You get out of it what you put into it. 

If you plan on self-publishing just remember to work hard and put as much, if not more, into the publishing of your book as you did in the writing of it.

Best of luck. 

With love, 

B.K. xo

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