If you’ve ever dreamed of publishing a book, then you’ve probably wrestled with this question: should I try to go the traditional route or take the leap into self-publishing? There’s no single answer that fits everyone, and both paths come with pros and cons. But having walked through this decision myself, I want to offer some honest insight to help you decide which one feels right for you.
When I finished my memoir, I started with the traditional route. Like many writers, I felt that getting an agent, landing a book deal, and seeing my book on store shelves was the gold standard. So I spent a year querying agents. I used the online resource Query Tracker and paid the yearly fee to have access to all the features.
I carefully wrote and rewrote my query letter, researched agents who represented memoirs, and crossed my fingers each time I hit send. I waited, I hoped, and I collected rejections—some kind, some form letters, and a few that gave me a glimmer of hope. But in the end, after a full year, I didn’t receive an offer of representation.
At first, that felt like a door closing. But over time, I realized it was actually an invitation to take control of my own story.
I decided to hire an editor to work with me on the manuscript, and her encouragement gave me the clarity and confidence I needed. She believed in the story and the writing. And maybe most importantly, she reminded me that the people who needed to read this book weren’t going to care whether it came from a big-name publisher. They were going to care that someone told the truth about caregiving, grief, and mother-daughter relationships in a way that resonated.
So at that point, when the editing was done, I had a choice. Spend another year or two querying my book again on the traditional path or self-publish. My editor had already told me that if I did land an agent and a book deal that the publishing would almost assuredly edit my book again, do all the proofreading and copy-editing again that I’d already done. And that would delay the book publication for years.
That’s when I decided to self-publish. I won’t say it was an easy choice—I had a lot to learn. But I will say it was the right one for me.
Traditional publishing has some clear benefits. When you land a book deal, you often get an advance, a team of professionals to help with editing, design, and distribution, and access to wider retail networks. There’s also a certain prestige that comes with being published by a known press. For many writers, this is the dream. And it’s still very much a valid and admirable goal.
But traditional publishing also comes with trade-offs. First, it takes time—a lot of it. Even if you find an agent, the process of selling your book to a publisher, going through edits, and getting it on shelves can take years. You also give up a level of creative control. Your publisher might want to change your title, your cover, or even elements of your story. And marketing support is no longer guaranteed, especially for debut authors. You may still be responsible for building your platform, promoting your book, and making it visible in a very crowded market.
Self-publishing, on the other hand, puts the power and responsibility in your hands. You get to choose your editor, your cover designer, your timeline, and your distribution channels. You get to keep your rights and a much higher percentage of the royalties. And most importantly, you get to bring your story into the world on your terms.
But let’s be honest: self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. It requires you to learn, invest, and make dozens of decisions you never expected to have to make. You are the writer, the creative director, the marketing department, and the publisher. It can feel overwhelming at first. But it can also be incredibly empowering.
What helped me most was realizing that “published” doesn’t just mean one thing anymore. We live in an age when gatekeepers no longer get the final say. And for someone like me, who felt called to share a personal and emotionally complex story, waiting for external validation wasn’t worth the delay. I had already spent six years caregiving, grieving, and healing. I’d spent another four years, writing, editing, hearing from beta readers and working with my editor, Marnie. I didn’t want to wait another two or three years to publish a book that was ready.
When I self-published my memoir, I did it with care and intention. I worked with professionals who helped me make sure the writing was strong, the layout was clean, and the cover was beautiful. I learned how to upload to KDP and IngramSpark. I set up my own imprint, Mount Cooper Publishing, and I took ownership of my book as a real product, not just a passion project.
It’s important to say this: self-publishing does not mean lower quality. It means self-managed. And if you’re willing to approach it with a sense of professionalism and openness, you can absolutely create a book that is indistinguishable from those released by traditional publishers.
So how do you decide which is right for you? Ask yourself a few key questions:
- What is your goal for this book? Is it to reach a wide commercial audience or to connect deeply with a specific community?
- How much control do you want to maintain over the process?
- What is your timeline? Can you afford to wait, or do you want to get your story out sooner?
- Are you willing to learn and manage the publishing process, or do you prefer to hand it off to a team?
- Do you have a budget to invest in editing, design, and formatting?
There are no wrong answers here. But being honest about what you want and what you’re willing to do will help you see which path makes the most sense.
For me, self-publishing wasn’t a second-best option. It was the right fit. It allowed me to honor the story I felt called to tell. And now, it allows me to help other writers do the same.
If you’re considering self-publishing, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Through Mount Cooper Publishing, I offer services to help authors like you get your manuscript out of your hands and into the world. Whether you need guidance on formatting, uploading, cover design, or the basics of KDP and IngramSpark, I’m here to help. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to take the next step.
Your story matters. And whether you find an agent, land a book deal, or decide to go indie, the most important thing is that you keep moving forward. I know what it feels like to doubt, to wait, to wonder. I also know what it feels like to hit “publish” and watch your words make their way into someone else’s hands.
You can do this. And if you want a little help along the way, I’d be honored to support you.