Publishing Myths: Here's how self-published authors are earning more

Debunking the myths that keep authors from making real money

What the Publishing Industry Won’t Tell You

Before we get into each different publishing path, let’s address the elephant in the room…

The publishing industry has been slow to acknowledge how dramatically the landscape has shifted. Many of the “truths” you’ve heard about publishing are based on outdated information (from over a decade ago…)

Recent data from the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Authors Guild paints a very different picture than what most writing advice still suggests.

Traditional Publishing Reality Check

Because of the long standing history and credibility of traditional publishers, many authors believe this is the best route. Or that it’s the only route to true success and high earning potential as an author. However, the reality of traditional publishing is that it often requires authors to give up a lot of both creative control, and royalties. And, unfortunately, the speed to market is not there either. To get a book deal, you’ll need to send out likely hundreds of high quality, personalized query letters, along with a detailed book proposal. And even when you do, you can expect it to take you 1-3+ years from contract to bookshelf.

Let’s break down that timeline.

• Writing Your Book Proposal: 1-4 months

• Query Process: 6-18 months

• Agent Shopping Your Book to Publishers: 3-12 months

• Contract Negotiations: 1-3 months

• Editorial Process: 6-12 months

• Production and Marketing: 6-18 months

Total: Often 3-5 years from your first query to getting on a bookshelf.

Not only will it take you forever to get your book out to the world, you’ll likely also have to give up significant creative control over your cover, title, and content.

And, here’s what they don’t tell you about advances: It isn’t “free money”–it’s essentially a loan against your future sales. So, if your book doesn’t earn out, you may owe money back. Plus, publishers increasingly expect you to have an established platform and do most of your own marketing anyway.

Hybrid Publishing Truth

Hybrid publishing sounds appealing because it gives you some of the support and credibility of a traditional publisher but often takes more than it gives. With this route, you end up paying thousands upfront for services you could get independently for less, while they also keep ongoing royalties on top of it. Many hybrid publishing houses are essentially vanity presses with better marketing. So, do your math carefully.

Here’s a typical hybrid publishing scenario:

• Upfront Costs: $3,000-$15,000

• Ongoing Royalty Split: You keep 50-70% (they keep 30-50%)

• Services Included: Basic editing, cover design, formatting, limited distribution

Here’s what you could pay independently:

• $1,500-$5,000 for the same services

• Keep 100% of the royalties

For example, if your book earns $10,000 in royalties over its lifetime, a hybrid publisher keeping 40% costs you $4,000 in ongoing fees, plus the higher upfront costs. So, you’re essentially paying twice for the same result.

Self Publishing Reality

Yes, you handle everything. But, you also keep 70-85% of royalties compared to traditional publishing’s 5-25%. Recent studies show self-published authors make a median of $12,749 annually-nearly double the $6,000-$8,600 earned by traditionally published authors. But, not only do you have substantially higher profit margians, you also have 100% control, and almost immediate (within days or weeks), speed to market. With the tools and services that are available today, professional results with self publishing are absolutely achievable.

The Self-Publishing Success Stories You Haven’t Heard

The data shows that roughly 60-70% of actively earning self-published authors make more than their traditionally published counterparts. Which, is interesting. But let’s look at why:

• Romance Author Earnings: Romance is the top genre for self-published authors, with many earning six figures.

• Experienced Indie Authors (5+ Years): In any genre, on average are seeing a 53% year-over-year income growth.

• Speed to Market Advantage: Can capitalize on trends immediately, not 3 years later.

• Direct Reader Relationship: Build email lists, get instant feedback, and create loyal fans.

The truth is, modern self-publishing tools make quality achievable for anyone.

• Professional Editing: Hire an independent contractor, or use tools like Prowritingaid

• Cover Design: Hire an independent contractor, or use tools like Canva and IngramSpark cover templates

• Formatting: Hire an independent contractor, or use a tool like Atticus to format your book yourself

So, you can get it done for affordable or even free.

Meaning, nothing is standing in the way between you writing and publishing your book except your own self actually doing it!

I hope you see that as empowering as I meant it. :)

The “prestige” of traditional publishing matters less when readers can’t tell the difference between a well-produced indie book and a traditionally published one. Success in publishing a book depends more on your book quality, marketing efforts, and persistence than your publishing path itself.

So, Which Path is Right for You

Choose Traditional Publishing If:

• You’re willing to wait 3-5 years for publication

• You want someone else handling all business decisions

• You’re comfortable with 5-15% royalties

• You already have a large platform of engaged followers, or are working hard towards building one

• You’re writing literary fiction or niche non-fiction

Choose Hybrid Publishing If:

• You’ve done extensive research on the specific company you want to go with

• The math genuinely works in your favour

• You want some support but more control, and speed to market than traditional

• You’re comfortable paying premium prices for the sake of convenience

Choose Self Publishing If:

• You want to keep 70-80% of your earnings

• You prefer creative control over your work

• You want to publish within months, not years

• You’re willing to learn the business side of publishing

• You want to build a direct relationship with your readers

Your Next Steps

1. Calculate the real costs and earnings potential for your situation

2. Consider your timeline and risk tolerance

3. Assess your current platform and marketing comfort level

4. Choose based on data and your specific goals, not industry mythology

So, moral of the story, do your research and choose what resonates with you based on your goals, timeline, and comfort level–not outdated assumptions! 📚

Here’s The Bottom Line

The publishing world has changed dramatically in the past decade. Self-published authors are earning more, traditional publishers are offering less support while expecting more from authors, and readers increasingly can’t tell the difference between well produced indie books and traditionally published ones.

So, make your decision based on current realities, not outdated prestige!

That’s all she wrote!

-Hailey