Self-publish or don’t self-publish? That is the question a lot of authors today are asking themselves. Are the benefits of self-publishing worth the challenges? Can an author sell enough books through self-publishing? Are agents and traditional publishing houses really necessary? Should an author consider self-publishing? Below are several reasons why an author should and should not self-publish.

Should an author consider self-publishing? Yes, for higher royalty rates. 

When an author publishes a book through a big publishing house, he or she typically receives between 15 and 20 percent of net revenues. On the other hand, when a self-publishing author releases a book through an e-publishing platform such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, he or she can get as much as 70 percent of royalties. Apple has a royalty rate of 55 percent while Barnes & Noble offers 65 percent. Amazon Kindle pays authors between 35 and 70 percent.

Should an author consider self-publishing? Yes, for complete control over the book.

When an author submits his or her book to an agent, and from there to a publisher, he or she has to do a lot of compromising and often ends up having to bow to the demands of the publishing house just to get the book printed and released. With self-publishing, authors are – for the first time ever – able to completely control the whole process of publishing. From the cover to the marketing to the interior design and layout of the book, authors themselves get to choose every last detail, thus totally personalizing the final product.

Should an author consider self-publishing? Yes, to control costs.

In the days of traditional publishing, an author couldn’t hope to produce money sufficient to cover all the production costs of publishing and distributing a book. Today, they can. And if they don’t have the $2,000-$5,000 needed, they can even start an online fundraiser to do so.

Should an author consider self-publishing? Yes, to sidestep traditional publishers.

Self-publishing has completely transformed the world of publishing. Before this, there was no way for authors to even get their books out in public without the support of a publishing house. Publishers regulated almost every step of a book’s production and release. It was practically impossible for an author to get his or her books into a brick-and-mortar bookstore without an agent and a publisher. It was simply too costly and complicated. Nowadays, even unpublished authors can reach the same wide audience as James Patterson and JK Rowling – and they don’t even have to spend a dime for the publicity!

Should an author consider self-publishing? No, because publishers know best.

All of the above benefits are great, yes; but there’s something about the writer-publisher relationship that just can’t be replicated in a self-publishing situation. Writers are paid to write the book; editors are paid to shape the book into a final product that readers will buy. The editor will not submit to the writer just because he or she wants to avoid a conflict. It is the editor’s job to create that tension that makes the relationship so constructive and so artistically indispensable.