Are you confused about what to do next with the publishing process after finishing your manuscript? You have finished that difficult task of writing your dream book, and now you have another issue of choosing the best book publishing options. Publishing is a business of choices, and first-time authors are not always willing to make such an expensive error.
This article will guide you to discover that clarity. We will discuss the fundamentals of book publishing and compare the best options for publishing. We will help you understand how to get your book published in a way that aligns with your goals. You will also learn how to assess your options and identify the best book publishing company or platform.
Publishing is, fundamentally, the art of getting your book ready and delivering it to your audience. You take your manuscript and turn it into a finished product that will be sold, read, and enjoyed by people. The process involved:
The three main ways to get your book published take radically different approaches.
In this model, you sell rights to a publishing house to publish your book. They invest the entire capital required in editing, designing, printing, marketing, and distribution. They, in turn, advance you a royalty (usually 5-15% of the book’s net sales). A literary agent is your strongest ally in this process and serves as your representative and negotiator.
In this case, you are the publisher. You have 100% creative control and rights to your work, but all the responsibilities and startup costs are yours. You handle the hiring of editors, designers, and formatters, and you are responsible for distribution and marketing. The advantage is that you retain a much higher portion of the profits (usually 35-70% of the list price).
It is a combination of traditional and digital publishing. Authors pay an organization a bundle of professional publishing services. An important point to note: the hybrid space must be incredibly diligent. Credible hybrid publishers are selective about the manuscripts they accept, maintaining transparency and integrity.
After completing the writing of your dreamy book, consider the best book publishing options that perfectly fit your book genre. Ask yourself the following simple yet important questions:
Your genre is not just the category of your story; it informs you about where your readers are and their preferred ways of purchasing books.
Fiction (Romance, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thrillers): Fiction is a highly successful genre in self-publishing, particularly in ebook format. Actually, this genre is a dominant force in the self-publishing market. Readers of such genres are serious, they read quickly, and they tend to follow their favorite authors online. To them, the most appropriate self-publishing platforms are those that allow you to publish instantly and reach fans.
Non-Fiction (Memoir, Business, How-To): It will depend on your platform. Self-publishing is excellent if you have a large following (have a popular blog, YouTube channel, etc.). If you currently lack an audience, traditional publishing can help you establish one.
Children: Conventional publishing is more suitable for entering bookstores and schools. Self-publishing is beneficial when you have a clear strategy to sell directly to your audience and can afford high-quality illustrations.
Literary Fiction: This genre is usually favored by traditional publishing. It can provide greater prestige and exposure to large book prizes. Self-publishing is a less favorable route for literary fiction, as the market size in this genre is smaller.
Nowadays, being an indie author is a point of pride. It implies that you are an entrepreneur and you know your readers. A considerable number of bestselling books on Amazon are written by self-published authors who have the power to control their content and earn more.
The Self-Publishing Process
In this area, you must be very careful. Not all companies are useful; only some of them are.
A good hybrid publisher is also selective, only accepting books that they believe in. They are transparent with their pricing and offer competitive royalty terms. They act like a partner.
How to Find a Good Partner?
Look for a company that is selective in its hiring practices, has transparent pricing, and a list of satisfied authors. You should never sign anything without consulting its authors.
Keep in mind that it is not the end of publishing your book. It is the beginning. Every author needs marketing.
Your book is worthy, and it is worth reading. The best book publishing path is a personal decision, so choose wisely. You can evaluate your choices by researching the most suitable book publishing company or platform for your genre. Choose the path that will help your book reach its readers with the best results.
Even if you feel overwhelmed in the publishing process then consider the expert team of book publishing services. They are experts who help you tell your story to the world.
Amazon KDP and broad distribution to bookstores through IngramSpark are best suited for most e-books.
Yes, it can be to increase the demand for your self-published book among traditional publishers.
Print books require an ISBN, which you can purchase independently or receive free of charge on certain websites, such as KDP.
It also takes 3-6 months to be produced once your manuscript is completely edited and ready for publication.
No, even with a traditional deal, authors are expected to actively sell their book and create their own platform.
Self-publishing earns significantly more (up to 70% with ebooks), whereas traditional publishing earns less (they can range between 5-15% with print).
Not all, but you have to do some research to avoid predatory vanity presses that charge high fees to do a bad job.
Yes, most authors do, when they make it a business, writing good books consistently and selling them effectively.
No, your work is automatically copyrighted when it is created; however, official registration provides additional legal protection to your work.
Turn your manuscript into a professionally published book with Digital Scribblers. Contact us today and take the first step toward becoming a published author!
100% Secure Payment
Useful Links
Services
copyright 2025. all right reserved.
