So You Want to Write a Book: What Every New Writer Needs to Know First [EPISODE SEVEN]

The Road to Publishing — Choosing Your Path

How to decide between traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing — and what it really means to release your story into the world.

🌅 You’re Here. The Finish Line Is in Sight.

You’ve written, edited, survived feedback, and maybe cried a little along the way (all perfectly normal). Now you’re holding something real — a book that could live on shelves, in hands, on screens.

But now comes the next mountain: getting it out there.

There’s no single right path — only the one that fits your goals, your temperament, and the kind of life you want as an author. This episode will walk you through that crossroads, help you see the real trade-offs, and get clear on what you actually want out of publishing.

🔥 Recap: Where We’ve Been

Episode One: Found your why and silenced impostor syndrome.
Episode Two: Defined your idea and built your one-page pitch.
Episode Three: Gave your book a strong structure.
Episode Four: Learned to build momentum and finish.
Episode Five: Refined your draft into something readable.
Episode Six: Took feedback with confidence and clarity.

Now we talk about release — the moment your private story becomes public.

🧭 Step One: Define What “Success” Means to You

Before diving into agents and ISBNs, stop and ask:
Why do I want this book published?

Your answer changes everything.

• “I want to share my story with as many readers as possible.” → Traditional publishing might suit you.
• “I want creative control, ownership, and flexibility.” → Indie might be your lane.
• “I want professional help but still call the shots.” → Hybrid could be the sweet spot.

There’s no wrong answer — but pretending one system fits all writers will burn you out fast.

🏛️ The Traditional Publishing Path

Let’s start with the classic route — traditional publishing.

You write a killer query letter, land an agent, and the agent sells your manuscript to a publisher (usually a Big Five imprint or smaller press).

✨ What You Get:

• Prestige & Credibility. Your book lands in bookstores and libraries.
• Professional Team. Editors, designers, marketers — all built in.
• Upfront Advance. You might get paid before sales.

⚠️ What It Costs:

• Loss of Control. You don’t choose the cover, title, or release timeline.
• Long Timelines. Expect 1–2 years between deal and launch.
• Tiny Royalties. 10–15% on print, 25% on ebooks, and only after your advance earns out.

Traditional publishing works best if:
You want the machine behind you — and you’re okay playing the long game.

🚀 The Indie Publishing Route

Self-publishing isn’t “the backup plan” anymore. It’s a thriving, creative, profitable world where authors build careers on their own terms.

You control everything: the cover, pricing, distribution, marketing — and you keep the majority of the profits.

✨ What You Get:

• Full Creative Control. You decide everything — from design to release date.
• Speed. You can publish in months, not years.
• High Royalties. Up to 70% on ebooks, depending on the platform.
• Ownership. Your book stays yours — forever.

⚠️ What It Costs:

• You’re the Publisher. Editing, cover design, formatting — all on you (or paid contractors).
• Marketing Is Tough. You’ll need to learn or hire for it.
• Credibility Hurdles. Some traditional outlets still look down on indie work (though less every year).

Indie works best if:
You’re entrepreneurial, love creative control, and don’t mind building your audience.

⚖️ The Hybrid Middle Ground

Hybrid publishing is the “pay-to-partner” model — you contribute financially up front, but in return, you get a professional team that helps you produce and distribute your book.

A good hybrid press merges the best of both worlds — pro support with author ownership.

✨ What You Get:

• Professional Help. Real editors and designers.
• Shared Risk. You invest, but they believe in your book too.
• Faster Release. Usually 6–12 months.
• More Royalties. Often 40–60%, much higher than traditional.

⚠️ What It Costs:

• Money Up Front. Think $3k–$10k depending on services.
• Varying Quality. Not all hybrids are ethical — research is key.
• Limited Distribution. Rarely as wide as Big Five publishers.

Hybrid works best if:
You have a bit to invest and want a guided, professional launch without surrendering your rights.

🧩 Step Two: Know the Business Basics

Regardless of path, a few universal truths apply:

📚 You Need an ISBN

It’s your book’s ID number. If you self-publish, buy your own (so you own the imprint).

💰 You Need a Budget

Even traditional authors spend money on websites, ARCs, and travel.
Plan for editing, design, and marketing from the start.

💌 You Need a Platform

Not necessarily a massive following — just a way to connect.
A newsletter. A small blog. A social media account you actually like using.

Visibility isn’t vanity; it’s accessibility.

🧠 Step Three: Be Real About Trade-Offs

Here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud:
Publishing is always a trade-off.

If you want control, you’ll trade prestige.
If you want support, you’ll trade ownership.
If you want speed, you’ll trade reach.

The trick isn’t to pick the “best” path — it’s to pick the one that keeps you writing.

💬 Step Four: Prepare for Rejection (and Keep Going)

No matter which route you choose, rejection will happen. Agents will pass. Reviews will sting. Sales might start slowly.

Here’s the mindset shift that keeps you sane:
Rejection doesn’t measure your worth — it measures fit.

Your book just hasn’t found the right home yet.

Remember: every “overnight success” you admire was built on years of invisible persistence.

🛠️ Your Action Step: Choose Your Path Intentionally

Here’s a quick exercise to anchor your decision:

1. Write down your dream scenario.
   Where do you imagine your book appearing — a bookstore table, a Kindle page, your own website?
2. List your top 3 priorities.
   Creative control? Income? Wide readership? Prestige?
3. Match your goals to your path.
   • Traditional → Prestige, reach, validation.
   • Indie → Control, speed, income.
   • Hybrid → Balance, support, ownership.

When your goals and method align, the process feels lighter — even joyful.

🎤 The Honest Truth: There’s No “Right” Way to Publish

Publishing isn’t a single door — it’s a hallway full of doors, and you get to choose which one opens.

The real question isn’t how you publish — it’s why.

Whether you sign a deal, upload to Kindle, or sell hand-bound copies at a local fair, the thing that matters most hasn’t changed:

You finished a book. You made something that didn’t exist before. You put a story into the world.

That’s the win. Everything else is just logistics.

🚀 Coming Up Next…

Episode Eight: Building an Author Life That Lasts
How to grow your career sustainably — from writing the next book to building a creative rhythm that keeps you inspired for years to come.

💬 Question for You:

When you picture your book in the world, who’s holding it, and where are they?
A stranger on a train? A friend by lamplight? Someone who needed your words today?

That’s who you’re publishing for. Keep them close when the choices feel overwhelming.