I don’t know about you, but writing the last page of my novel always makes me feel good. I’ve accomplished something. The novel is done. It’s finished! Now I go through endless hours of proofing, editing, and more proofing. It’s frustrating because I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever catch all the errors. I have an author acquaintance who always goes through my manuscript. He picks up a lot of the errors, but we’re both dismayed to find even more errors once the book is published. It doesn’t matter if my book was self-published or published by a traditional publisher. I’ve gone both ways. So, the question remains, which is better? Self-publishing where I, as the author, have total control? Or traditional publishing, where the publisher looks after editing and other publication necessities?

Nevertheless, it’s a serious decision that only the author can make: choosing which route to go in the publishing world. The big-name publishing houses don’t seem to be lining up on my doorstep; news hasn’t leaked to the press that the next great classic has been written. Like all writers, I tend to think (perhaps it’s just wishful thinking) that once I’ve finished writing my novel, it will be snatched up, published, and instantly appear on the New York Times Best Seller’s List. First, I have to decide on the best method of publishing my book: self or tradition. Then I can investigate how to get the book on that list. One step at a time.

Of course, I have to go through the ritual of sending out the manuscript to potential publishers. It’s a big decision to make. I must do the research and choose the publisher that best suits my book. And it could well be a different publisher and publishing method for each one of my books. Also, I need to choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing. Once again, that requires a little bit of research and a lot of networking with other authors.

I had to educate myself on the differences between the many publishing platforms available. It's important to understand the difference between the different types of publishing. There was a time when all I would have to do was find a traditional publishing house that marketed books similar to mine and I would be as good as set. Now, there are the BIG NAME traditional publishing houses, the small independent publishing houses (some of which are traditional in the sense that they pay royalties), the vanity press publishing houses that take your money (and lots of it), print the book (leaving the author to do the rest, including editing), and the POD publishers (publish on demand) who prepare the layout and print whatever number of books the author orders for a cost. There are also publishing houses that do a little bit of all of the above – hybrid publishers.

Are you confused yet? Well, you should be. I found it confusing and still do. Initially, I thought that the hard part was writing a novel. What I learned, and rather fast, was that the hard part was yet to come and it can be downright scary at times. Hang in there, I did, and try to enjoy the ride. Good or bad, it’s a never-ending learning curve.

There are a lot of avenues available for publishing books. The traditional publisher may be the preferred route. The traditional publisher will edit, print, distribute advertise, promote, and pay you royalties. They might even present you with an advance on royalties. All you have to do is sign a ten to twenty-page contract and show up for the book launches, signings, and readings.

My first novel, “Spring” (Publish America: 2005), was taken on by Publish America. It’s a big-name publisher and, at the time, I believed it to be the way to go. I was thrilled to have an acceptance. When they promised no publishing or editing fees and royalties up front (albeit the royalty was only $1 US), plus two author copies, I believed it was a good opportunity. I signed the contract, cashed the $1 cheque, and waited to hold my first published novel in my hands. Sadly, further royalties never materialized, but I was able to purchase multiple copies and sell them on my own. I did manage to make some money on this book, but it took a lot of time and effort.

I tried other forms of publishing for my next novels: hybrid, self, and Vanity, and finally landed a few contracts with some traditional, but small independent publishers. The work never finished with the writing. It’s ongoing. I had to repeatedly remind myself that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. It might be just that. The advance on royalties usually has ‘strings attached’, something in the fine print of the contract that advises the author that if the publisher doesn’t meet the prescribed goal of sales, then the publisher reserves the right to demand a refund on the royalties within a specified time. An author acquaintance of mine had this happen after her book was on the market for about a year. She had to return the entire advance package along with interest. The best option, if you receive an advance, don’t spend it; invest it and let it grow while you await the publisher’s final verdict. I didn’t worry too much about my $1 advance. It wasn’t significant enough to warrant concern.

The problem for all writers is that, until well known, or unless you know someone who knows someone (you know the drill), then the submitted manuscript is more likely to end up on the slush pile, unread, and waiting for some wanna-be-editor-in-waiting to send you a form-rejection letter. Or, worse, you never hear anything. Sad, but true. I know I have many manuscripts out there that have never warranted a courtesy response. Like everyone else, I realize that I have to be someone to become someone.

Remember, though, that despite the slush piles and rejection letters, and the brutal self-less wanna-be-editor-in-waiting, you are SOMEONE! I am SOMEONE! There is another way to publish my work. If I take the time and invest the money for a proper editing job, a catchy cover image, and a tireless, relentless publicity consultant, a self-published or POD or vanity book can be quite successful, make money, and even open the same doors in the traditional publishing houses.

The bottom line is: don’t despair, don’t give up, believe in yourself, believe in your work, and keep trying. I’ve had my books published by traditional publishers (not the big-name publishers, sadly) as well as self-published and POD. My preference? I don’t have one. It’s all a matter of what each book needs to see its way to a bookshelf in your local bookstore. I keep looking and studying the options for each book I write. In the meantime, I keep on writing. You should, too.