Self-Publishing vs. Working With an Independent Publisher
Self-publishing and independent publishing are often used interchangeably. They shouldn't be. The differences are real, and they matter for authors trying to make an informed decision about their book.
Here's a clear-eyed look at what each path actually involves.
What Self-Publishing Actually Means
Self-publishing means the author is the publisher. You upload your manuscript to a platform — Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or similar — and your book is made available for sale. You retain all rights and all royalties. You also bear all responsibility for production quality, distribution, and marketing.
The platform is a distribution channel, not a publisher. Amazon KDP doesn't edit your book, design your cover, or provide an imprint. It hosts your file and processes sales.
Self-publishing is genuinely accessible and genuinely powerful. It's also genuinely demanding. Authors who self-publish successfully typically invest significantly in professional editing, cover design, and formatting — and they take on the full burden of marketing and discoverability.
What an Independent Publisher Actually Is
An independent publisher is a publishing house — a real press, with an imprint, editorial standards, and a catalog. Independent publishers vary enormously in size, focus, and model, but what distinguishes them from self-publishing platforms is that they are publishers, not distributors.
An independent press:
- Reviews and selects manuscripts based on editorial standards - Publishes books under its own imprint - Takes responsibility for the quality of what it publishes - Provides production support (editing, formatting, cover design) - Manages distribution under its imprint
The author's relationship with an independent press is a publishing relationship — not a platform relationship.
The Key Differences
Selectivity. Self-publishing platforms accept everything. Independent publishers are selective. That selectivity is what makes an imprint mean something.
Imprint. When you self-publish, your book is published by you (or by Amazon, if you use their ISBN). When you publish with an independent press, your book carries the press's name. That's a form of credibility that a platform upload doesn't provide.
Production responsibility. In self-publishing, production is entirely the author's responsibility. With an independent publisher, production is a shared responsibility — the press provides services and oversight, and the author is involved throughout.
Cost structure. Self-publishing platforms are free to use (though professional production costs money). Independent publishers typically charge for their services — either through an upfront fee, a royalty arrangement, or both. The specifics vary by press.
Rights. Self-publishing means you retain all rights. With an independent publisher, the rights arrangement depends on the publishing agreement. Authors should read any agreement carefully before signing.
A Note on "Hybrid Publishing"
You may encounter the term "hybrid publishing" to describe presses that charge authors for publication services. The term is used inconsistently, and it covers a wide range of models — from legitimate independent presses with real editorial standards to services that are essentially vanity publishing with a different name.
The label matters less than the substance. The questions to ask are: Does this press have real editorial standards? Is it selective? Does it publish books that look and read professionally? Is the pricing transparent? Is the publishing agreement fair?
At Making Sense Press, we describe ourselves as a selective independent press. We review every submission, we hold every accepted book to professional standards, and we publish transparently. Our publishing packages are priced clearly, and our Author Publishing Agreement is available to read before you apply.
Which Path Is Right for You?
The right path depends on your goals, your resources, and what "published" means to you.
Self-publishing is the right choice for authors who want maximum control, are willing to manage the full production process, and don't need or want an imprint.
Working with an independent publisher is the right choice for authors who want a publishing partner, professional production support, and the credibility of a real imprint — and who are willing to invest in that relationship.
Neither path is inherently better. They're different, and the right choice is the one that fits your specific situation.
If you're considering Making Sense Press, our Author FAQ answers common questions, and we'd be glad to hear from you if you think your book might be a fit.