How to Choose the Right Publishing Path for Your Book
One of the most common questions authors face is also one of the most consequential: Which publishing path is right for my book?
The options are real, the trade-offs are significant, and the right answer depends on factors that are specific to you, your book, and your goals. Here's a practical framework for thinking it through.
The Three Main Paths
Traditional publishing means submitting your manuscript to established publishing houses — typically through a literary agent — and, if accepted, having your book published under their imprint with no upfront cost to you. The publisher handles editing, production, distribution, and marketing. In exchange, you receive an advance (sometimes) and royalties, and you give up a significant portion of the rights to your work.
Self-publishing means publishing your book yourself, typically through a platform like Amazon KDP. You retain all rights and all royalties. You also bear all costs and all responsibility for production quality, distribution, and marketing.
Independent publishing — the path Making Sense Press represents — sits between these two. An independent press accepts manuscripts selectively, publishes them under its imprint, and provides professional production support. Authors typically contribute to the cost of publication. In exchange, they get the credibility of a real imprint, professional production, and a publishing partner.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
What are your goals for this book?
If your goal is to reach the largest possible audience through major retail channels and media coverage, traditional publishing offers the best infrastructure — but it's also the hardest path to access, and it requires giving up significant control.
If your goal is to have a book available for your existing audience, your community, or your professional network, self-publishing may be entirely sufficient.
If your goal is a professionally produced book under a real imprint, with support through the production process, an independent press may be the right fit.
How much control do you want to retain?
Traditional publishing involves significant trade-offs in control. The publisher makes decisions about cover design, title, marketing, and timing. Authors have input, but not final say.
Self-publishing gives you complete control — and complete responsibility.
Independent publishing varies by press. At Making Sense Press, authors are involved throughout the production process and retain meaningful control over their work.
What is your timeline?
Traditional publishing is slow. From submission to publication, the process typically takes two to four years — and that's after finding an agent, which can take years on its own.
Self-publishing is fast. A book can be live on Amazon within days.
Independent publishing falls in between. The timeline depends on the press and the program.
What is your budget?
Traditional publishing has no upfront cost to the author. Self-publishing has minimal upfront cost if you do everything yourself — but professional editing, cover design, and formatting add up quickly.
Independent publishing involves an upfront investment. That investment should be transparent and clearly tied to specific services.
What does "published" mean to you?
For some authors, "published" means having a file available for sale. For others, it means having a book that looks and reads like a professionally produced work, published under a real imprint, that they can present with confidence.
These are different goals, and they require different paths.
A Note on Realistic Expectations
No publishing path guarantees commercial success. Traditional publishers, independent presses, and self-published authors all produce books that sell well and books that don't. The path you choose affects the quality, credibility, and distribution of your book — not the outcome.
Be skeptical of any publishing service that implies otherwise.
Where Making Sense Press Fits
Making Sense Press is a selective independent press. We review every submission and accept books that meet our publishing and professional standards. We offer transparent publishing packages with clear pricing, and we work with authors throughout the production process.
We're not the right path for every author. But for authors who want a professionally produced book under a real imprint, with a publishing partner who takes the work seriously, we'd like to hear from you.