For writers exploring how to publish a book, the publishing landscape has never been more open—or more overwhelming. Between the empowering, DIY route of indie publishing and the prestige and structure of traditional publishing, deciding which path to pursue can feel like standing at a fork in the road in the middle of a moonless night. The good news? There’s no single “right” way to become an author anymore. Whether you’re chasing creative independence or a classic publishing deal, both routes can lead to success, but they demand different skills, mindsets, and expectations, so it’s paramount to understand how they work.
 
Let’s explore the pros and cons of self-publishing and traditional publishing—and how to thrive no matter which one you choose.

Back in grad school—many moons ago (ha), one of my creative writing professors regularly shared his unpublished work with our class. When a student once asked if he worried about someone stealing his writing, he laughed and said, “Steal it, please. And if you can get anyone to pay for it, tell me how you did it.”

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he meant. Years later, after my own work was published, I realized the truth behind his words: writing a book is only half the climb. Getting readers to actually buy it is like scaling Everest after you’ve already conquered K2. And if you want to build a loyal readership, you need your own authentic voice—something no one can fake or sustain if it’s stolen.

As if sharing early drafts of a manuscript isn’t hard enough, authors also have to worry about theft and copyright infringement. Fortunately, theft of a manuscript isn’t as common as one may think, but it still happens occasionally, and those stories spread through the writing community like wildfire, so I often have writers ask me if they should ask their beta readers to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). On the surface, it might seem like the safest way to protect your work, but the answer is a little more nuanced.

You did it—you finished your manuscript! That’s a huge milestone, and you deserve to pause and celebrate. Writing a book that shares your knowledge, story, or perspective is no small task. After you've taken a moment to celebrate, comes the stage that may feel less glamorous but just as important: self-editing. This is where you refine your ideas, shape your message, and give your book its final shine—the polish that helps your words land clearly and confidently with readers. It can feel daunting, but with a little strategy (and a lot of patience), self-editing doesn’t have to drain your energy or blur your focus. In fact, it can bring you even closer to the heart of what you want your book to say.

​Coming from my background in traditional publishing, venturing into indie-publishing felt rebellious and exciting. Little is more empowering for a creative than giving the bean counters (trad publishers and their form-letter rejections) the middle finger by taking the reins of your own publishing journey and riding off into the sunset. Unfortunately, the morning after realization of how many hats a self-published author must wear can feel like waking up with a hangover. But the editing hat shouldn’t be a burden you bear alone! While you might not have a full editorial department behind you, you can craft an editing and proofreading process that’s surprisingly close to the flow of a traditional publisher. 

You’ve polished your draft, finished a self-edit, and now you’re ready for fresh eyes. Enter beta readers: trusted readers who can preview the story with fresh eyes and give feedback for improvement before it goes to editors or agents or is released to the public. Beta readers can help you catch plot holes, confusing character choices, flat dialogue, or pacing issues. But how you find beta readers, guide them, and process their feedback makes all the difference.

Here’s how to make the most of your beta reader experience:

It's been a long time coming, but the proverbial blood and the literal sweat and tears paid off, and you finally got to type: The End. Congratulations! Now comes the part most writers dread: editing. Self-editing can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. Think of it as sculpting: you’ve carved the shape of a lion out of a raw block of marble, and now you’re detailing the eyes, mouth, mane, etc. (i.e., the unique characteristics of this sculpture that will set it apart from all the rest).
​
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you shape your draft into something you can confidently share with beta readers, professional editors, agents, and publishers.

Admittedly, I’ve grappled with this one. The value of a book should never be determined by a single judge or a small panel of judges. Authors have no idea what life experiences have influenced the opinions of the judge(s), or how many manuscripts the judge(s) had to read in a pressured timeframe.

Did they read your submission on a day that everything else was going wrong in their life, so nothing they read that day landed quite right in their psyche? Did your protagonist have the same name as their awful ex? Do YOU have the same name as their ex—or the kid who bullied them in grade school? There are just too many subtleties influencing the spectrum of emotions in the human mind to define one’s worth as an author by a single contest.

I blog about various ways to save money while indie publishing, including tips for self-editing your work, but in this article, I offer suggestions for submitting a manuscript to potential editors (including myself) that will help ensure a lower rate for services... 

First impressions have more impact on pricing than many realize. Be sure to send a clear, concise inquiry, and format your sample following academic standards:

Finding a good book editor can be difficult. And finding a good book editor with availability is even harder. Be sure to begin your search a few months in advance of when you anticipate having your manuscript ready for editing. 

Try to review the editor’s website before contacting them. If the site is comprehensive, you’ll find the answers to most of your questions before needing to contact them. When you have a good idea of whether you’d like to work with that person, it’s a great time to inquire about their interest in working with you, their prices, and availability. Most editors schedule projects weeks (or months) in advance and will require a deposit ranging from a few hundred dollars to 50% of the project total upfront to schedule their time.