Self or Traditional Publishing?
When your manuscript is finished or nearly there, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how you want to bring your book into the world. For many first-time authors, the choice between self-publishing and traditional publishing can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot of noise out there about which path is “better,” but the truth is that it all depends on you - your goals, your timeline, your budget, and your personal preferences.
Traditional publishing has long been seen as the gold standard in the literary world. In this model, once your manuscript is complete, the next step is usually to query literary agents. This involves crafting a compelling pitch (often called a query letter), and sometimes a synopsis or sample chapters, then sending them out to carefully chosen agents who might be a good fit for your book’s genre and style. Even the process of querying can take months or years, as many agents receive hundreds of submissions a month and respond slowly or not at all.
If you are fortunate enough to land an agent, they will then pitch your book to publishing houses. This stage can also take time, as publishers may request revisions or simply decline the manuscript altogether. However, if a publisher offers you a deal, they usually provide an advance (a pre-payment against future royalties), and they handle all aspects of book production and distribution. This includes editing, cover design, formatting, printing, and getting your book into physical stores and online platforms.
Being traditionally published can offer a sense of legitimacy and external validation, which some authors find deeply rewarding. There's also the potential for wider distribution, particularly in bookstores and libraries. That said, the trade-off is control and pace. Traditional publishing is infamously slow, and most decisions about your book - including its title, cover, and marketing - are made by the publisher. You may have limited input, especially as a debut author. And rejections are part of the journey; even well-written, marketable books are turned down due to timing, trends or sheer volume.
Self-publishing, on the other hand, puts the reins in your hands. You retain creative control, you choose your team, and you publish on your timeline. You also keep a higher percentage of the royalties. However, this route means you’re responsible for everything: editing, design, formatting, uploading, marketing, and more. The upside? You get to learn a lot, build a readership directly, and make decisions based on what suits your book and your values.
At Turtle Tree Press, we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We’re here to support authors who choose the self-publishing route and want to do it right - with clarity, calm and quality. From manuscript consultations to design and launch strategy, we help you shape your vision into a professional, polished book that feels like you. Whether you’re still weighing your options or already leaning toward self-publishing, we’re happy to talk you through the next steps.
Whichever path you choose, the most important thing is this: you wrote a book. That’s a huge achievement!
Now it’s time to figure out the best way to share it with the world.