Traditional Publishing vs. self publishing in India: What’s Best for Indian Authors?

Choosing between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India can be a significant choice for any Indian author. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, because the ideal route of action in your case goes down to your objectives, abilities, and the type of book you wrote. Here are the main distinctions that can guide you through this crucial choice and enable you to make the most suitable publishing decision in your writing journey.

Traditional Publishing: The Classic Route

When people imagine a book being published, they are thinking of traditional publishing. You get your book published through a publishing house, such as Penguin Random House or HarperCollins India. They do everything from editing, design, printing, and distribution.

How It Works

The process is generally long and challenging. An author first needs to find a literary agent who will then pitch the manuscript to different publishers. If a publisher accepts the book, they buy the rights to it and give the author an advance payment. This advance is the money that the author gets, but they only start earning profits after the book has sold enough copies.

Let us now understand what the main pros and cons of self publishing and traditional publishing are.

Pros of Traditional Publishing

Financial Security : All the expenses involved are paid by the publisher, such as editing, designing the cover, printing, and marketing. Another advantage is that you receive an advance payment as well.
Validation and Prestige : Having a book published by a known house gives you a certain level of credibility and prestige. Many regard it as a sign of quality.
Expert Support : You also get professionals to work on your book: editors, designers, and publicists. This guarantees the high-quality end product.
Wider Distribution : Traditional publishers have good contacts with various bookstores, including virtual as well as physical bookstores, and therefore, your book has a great advantage in terms of visibility by a wide audience.

Cons of Traditional Publishing

Loss of Creative Control : Your publishers may alter the title of your book, its cover or even sections of material content to align with market trends.
Long Process : It can take one to two years, sometimes longer, to get a book deal to get your book on a shelf.
Lower Royalties : Royalties are very low in most cases, ranging between 7-15% of the price of the book.

Self publishing: The Author-Led Path

self publishing refers to the fact that you are both the author as well as the publisher. You go through the whole process, from preparing your book all the way to selling it. Various sites, such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), have made this style extremely popular, particularly among Indian authors publishing guides and new writers.

How it Works

When it comes to self publishing, you do it your way. You get your own editor, cover designer, and formatter. After that, you publish your book on a site that does the printing as well as the distribution of the book. The important point is just that you pay it all up front; however, you also get a much bigger portion of the profit.

Pros of self publishing

Creative Control : You will make all the decisions. You choose the title, the cover, the book's price, and the marketing strategy. Your vision for the book stays 100% intact.
Higher Royalties : This is one of the biggest draws. You can earn up to 70% of the book's sales price, which is significantly more than what traditional publishing offers.
Faster Publication : You control the timeline. You can have your book ready and available for sale in a matter of months, or even weeks.
Data and Analytics : Most self publishing platforms provide detailed sales data, which helps you understand your readers and adjust your marketing efforts.

Cons of self publishing

Financial Investment : You have to pay all the upfront costs. This includes paying for editing, cover design, and marketing. These costs can add up quickly.
Marketing is Your Responsibility : You are the sole person responsible for marketing and promoting your book. This can be a huge challenge, especially for new authors who don't have a built-in audience.
Less Prestige : While this is changing, self-published books can sometimes have a stigma attached to them. It can be harder to get your book reviewed by major publications or placed in physical bookstores.
Everything is on you : The entire publishing process, from formatting to distribution, is your responsibility. This can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

Which is better, traditional publishing vs self publishing in India?

The choice between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India depends entirely on your personal goals as a writer.

If you're looking for validation, a team of experts, and widespread physical distribution without any upfront costs, traditional publishing is probably the better option. You're willing to give up some control and wait longer for the chance at a major book deal.
If you value creative control, higher royalties, and a fast timeline, and you're willing to invest your own money and effort into marketing, then self publishing is a great choice. It's an entrepreneurial path for authors who want to own their work completely.

The publishing landscape of Indian authors publishing guides has changed, and there are numerous success stories both ways. Some authors go even further and adopt a hybrid strategy, with some traditionally published volumes and others self-published. After all, there is simply no wrong or right choice, as long as this contributes to your success as a writer, you have picked the right route.

FAQs on traditional publishing vs self publishing in India

1. What's the main difference between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India?

The main difference is who pays for the book and who controls the process. In traditional publishing vs self publishing, the publisher pays all the costs and manages the process, while in self publishing, the author pays all costs and manages everything.

2. Is it harder for Indian authors publishing guides to get a traditional publishing deal?

Yes, it can be very competitive. The number of authors who submit manuscripts is much higher than the number of books a publisher can take on. This is why many Indian authors publishing guides and resources often recommend both paths.

3. What are the key financial differences between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India?

With traditional publishing, you get an advance and lower royalties, but the publisher covers all costs. With self publishing, you pay all the costs upfront but earn much higher royalties, sometimes up to 70% of the book's price.

4. Which is better, traditional publishing vs self publishing in India, for creative control?

The answer to this question, which is better, traditional publishing vs self publishing in India, is that self publishing is undoubtedly better for creative control. You have the final say on the cover, title, content, and pricing. In traditional publishing, the publisher has the final say.

5. What are the main pros and cons of self publishing?

The main pros and cons of self publishing are: The pros of self publishing include full creative control, higher royalties, and a faster timeline. The cons are that you have to pay upfront costs and are fully responsible for all marketing efforts.

6. Can an author switch from self publishing to traditional publishing?

Yes! Many self-published authors who have a successful book and a good sales record are often approached by traditional publishers for their next book. There can be a choice between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India, a stepping stone rather than a final decision.

7. Do I need a literary agent for traditional publishing in India?

While not all publishers require an agent, having one is a huge advantage. They have connections and can help you navigate the complex process of getting a deal.

8. How important is marketing when choosing between traditional publishing vs. self publishing?

Marketing is crucial for both, but it's completely your responsibility in self publishing. In traditional publishing, the publisher handles some of it, but authors are still expected to be very involved in promoting their own book.

9. Which is better, traditional publishing vs self publishing in India for my book being in physical bookstores?

The answer to this question, which is better, traditional publishing vs self publishing in India, is that traditional publishing gives you a much better chance. It's very difficult for a self-published book to get wide placement in physical stores.

10. Does a successful self-published book count as a good track record for a future traditional book deal?

Absolutely. A self-published book with strong sales is a powerful demonstration that you have a market and an audience. This can make you a very attractive prospect for traditional publishers and influence your choice between traditional publishing vs self publishing in India for your long-term career.