Publishing Paths for Writers: Planning Your Publishing Path

From Edie: PeggySue Wells answers the foundation questions about planning your publishing path. Discover how to choose between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing with this practical guide, key questions, and decision-making quiz for authors.

Publishing Paths for Writers: Planning Your Publishing Path

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Authors have a variety of publishing options. Which path is best for your project? For your goals as an author?

Here are questions to serve as a guide and help find which publishing path is the best fit. 

Answer each question honestly and in alignment with your goals for your project and for yourself. 

In preparation for every publishing path

• Complete an excellent quality manuscript
• Professionally polish and edit the work

Seeking traditional publishing?

• Prepare a query
• Research agents, and send query to those who represent works similar to yours and who are open to queries
• Create a proposal for the agent to share with potential publishers
• Work with your agent's process
• Market your project long before it is available to build a platform and create buzz
• Understand this process can take two years

Is a non-traditional path best? Take this quiz. 

How do you feel about managing details like accounts, file specs, and distribution?

• I want nothing to do with it
• I want oversight, not execution
• I want full control

What matters most to you right now?

• Speed and professional execution
• Publisher branding and validation
• Long-term ownership and flexibility

How do you view your book?

• A business asset or IP
• A personal achievement
• The foundation of a long publishing career

How comfortable are you hiring and managing freelancers?

• Not at all
• Somewhat
• Very comfortable

What is your tolerance for learning publishing systems?

• Low
• Medium
• High

How important is speed to market?

• Very important
• Moderately important
• Not important

Results

Mostly first options → Do It For You (DIFY) You value delegation, professional execution, and momentum. You want ownership without operational drag.

Mostly middle options → Hybrid Publishing You want guidance and infrastructure, but must carefully assess contracts, rights, and long-term control.

Mostly last options → Assisted Self-Publishing You value autonomy and flexibility and are willing to manage complexity in exchange for control.

Questions to ask before making your publishing decision

Who owns the ISBNs?

Who is listed as the publisher of record?

Do I retain full copyright and subsidiary rights worldwide?

Will I have direct access to my publishing accounts such as Amazon and Ingram Spark?

If we end our relationship, do I have the files, accounts, and metadata? 

What editorial services are included?

How many revision rounds are included for editing and design?

Are cover and interior designs custom or templated?

What formats are included (ebook, paperback, hardcover, audiobook-ready)?

What is explicitly not included in the package?

Who is my point of contact and how often will we communicate?

What are the key milestones and approval gates?

What happens if deadlines are missed by either party?

How are changes handled once production begins?

Which platforms will my book be distributed to?

Is bookstore placement guaranteed?

What marketing support is provided?

Are number of sales or bestseller claims made in writing? (If yes, walk away.)

Is this a flat fee?

Are there ongoing charges?

Are revenue splits or royalties paid to the provider?

Are there exclusivity or non-compete clauses?

Summary

The information in this series is a tool to make an informed decision regarding the best publishing path that fits the project and the author's goals. 

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Publishing Paths for Writers: Planning Your Publishing Path from @PeggySueWells on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't miss the rest of the posts in this series!

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING

PART 2: UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS WITH HYBRID PUBLISHING

PART 3: UNDERSTANDING INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING AND LONG-TERM CONTROL

PART 4: UNDERSTANDING VANITY PRESSES BEFORE YOU SIGN

PART 5: UNDERSTANDING DONE-FOR-YOU PUBLISHING SERVICES

PART 6: WHAT IS BOUTIQUE INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING

PART 7: PLANNING YOUR PUBLISHING PATH

Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells including Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Patent. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.

PeggySue is a frequent guest with media including Focus On The Family, Family Life Today, and Christian Product Expo. She regularly teaches at conferences including Write To Publish, Taylor University Writers Conference, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Collaborator on multiple titles including books with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Shemane Nugent, Pat Palau, and Pam Farrel, PeggySue is a writing coach. When not writing, she parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, rides horses, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Founder of SingleMomCircle.com, connect with PS Wells at WWW.PEGGYSUEWELLS.COM, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and LinkedIn at LINKEDIN.COM/IN/PEGGYSUEWELLS