Are There Advantages to Traditional Publishing?

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi, Children's Writer

While almost everyone is hitting the self-publishing road, including most of my clients, some authors yearn to be published through a publishing house.

Before I go on, though, let me clarify what traditional publishing is, as I just had a query from a new author who wasn’t sure about it.

Basically, traditional publishing is when you submit your manuscript to publishing companies that will PAY YOU to publish your book.

If the company thinks your book will be a good investment, they’ll give you a contract. It could take a year to two years for your book to actually get published.

Traditional publishing houses INVEST their money, time, and effort into publishing your book. You don’t pay them for anything!

These companies make their money back, and hopefully a profit, through your book sales.

The term ‘traditional publishing’ is getting confusing because a lot of services are labeling themselves as such while they’re really not.

So, again, if you have to pay a company even a dime, they’re not a traditional publisher.

Okay, back on track.

Four advantages to traditional publishing:

1. Recognition and approval.

When a publishing company thinks your manuscript has what it takes to sell, when they’re willing to back it up with their financial support, that’s validation.

You can jump around yelling, “It’s really good!” You’ve gotten approval from people in the industry.

This is not to say that some self-published books aren’t ‘really good.’ But, if you need personal validation, getting it from a traditional publisher or literary agent is the way to go.

2. You have a team of professionals behind you.

Aside from very small publishers, you’ll benefit from professional editors, book designers, illustrators, and so on, polishing your manuscript till it shines.

Companies that ‘help’ you publish your book (self-publishing services) don’t usually hire a professional staff. I’ve seen terrible editing and illustrations from some of these companies.

Tip: If you’re self-publishing, check out the portfolios of any service or individual you’re hiring to help you publish your book. And review books the service you’re considering using has published before jumping on board. Check the books carefully. If it’s a children’s picture book, check the illustrations carefully, too.

3. You’ll get marketing help.

A publishing house wants to sell your book, that’s how they make money.

While smaller companies don’t do much regarding marketing, you’re listed on their site, which will have its own readership. This listing will broaden your marketing reach.

And, if they attend book fairs and such, you’ll have the opportunity to have your books displayed.
 
Any little bit of ‘extra’ marketing is helpful.

As the companies get bigger, they offer more marketing help. But keep in mind that whether you’re working with a small, middle, or large publishing house, you’ll still need to promote your own books.

4. Opportunity comes with traditional publishing.

If you’re inclined to take advantage of your traditional publishing credit(s), you can use it to:

a. Write more books and seek traditional publishing
b. Submit articles to magazines.
c. Offer your own writing services.
d. Give workshops.
e. Teach a class (online or off).

Getting a contract from a publishing house or signing on with a literary agent does give you some clout. It’s kind of like a stamp of approval.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, working ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. If you need help with your story, visit Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi.

Karen also offers authors:

HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.

WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors.