Self vs Indie vs Traditional Publishing

Making the decision to self publish or indie publish is the same as making the decision to publish traditionally. Your  intention is to make your writing public. The main difference is how much control you want to maintain in the publishing process. And sometimes how much money you make, if that’s your goal. 

Either path chosen takes the same amount of work. If it is for the money, to be managed as a business, some call that Indie publishing. You intend to  market appropriately. 

If it’s to share your work more intimately with family and friends and specialized groups that are particularly interested in your topic some call it self publishing. Self publishing is often criticized because it does not have editorial intervention. This is when someone has read your work, likes it and is willing to put their money on the line and take the time to set your words to print. These days that doesn’t mean they have the resources to promote your book extensively. You have to be willing to do that work yourself and aggressively. 

Also, these days the art of storytelling has increased and there are more writers than there are publishers. So waiting for publishers to “pick you up” can take a long time and may move your book into the realm of ego 

You write of  because you have something to say. Many of us have been writing for many years. Ultimate the intention is to share what we have written. Age is  upon us and time us  of the essence. It is imperative we take publishing into our own hands.