Well, it really depends on which route works best for you. Both traditional publishing and self-publishing have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Traditional publishing typically involves getting a literary agent to represent you and shop your book to publishers. If a publisher decides to publish your book, they will generally nurture and edit it, manage the print run and distribution, and will typically pay you an advance for it. In return, you will have to give up some royalty payments and relinquish some of the control of the marketing, design, and other elements of your book.
Self-publishing on the other hand involves publishing your book by yourself, and doing everything from creating the book’s design to marketing and distribution. You can maintain more control over your book and hold on to your royalties. But because of this higher degree of freedom and control, there’s more work for you to manage and more risk because you’re bearing all the costs.
Ultimately it depends on what you’re looking for in terms of control, the amount of effort you want to put in, and the way that you want to bring your book to the public. If you feel confident in your abilities and resources, you may choose to self-publish, or if you are looking for a professional team of readers, designers, and marketers to help you, seeking out a traditional publisher may be the best option.
