Switching Gears: Redirecting Your Mindset From Traditional to Independent Publishing

Have you always dreamt of being offered an attractive book deal by a prominent New York publishing house? Known as traditional publishing, it’s often viewed as the golden ticket. The lure is obvious—an agent negotiates on your behalf, you receive a contract and monetary advance, and the publisher works with you on editing and marketing. Sounds incredible, right?
 
Not so fast.
 
Several years ago, I attended one of the largest thriller writer conferences in the world. There, I met writers from across the globe, many of whom had already been published traditionally. With the exception of several famous authors who had come to speak on panels, I did not meet anyone who was satisfied. Sure, the bragging rights are worth a great deal. Having it known that your work was published by a reputable company results in faster recognition, increased traction for newspaper and trade reviews, and more leverage overall.
 
But in reality, unless you are one of the lucky few, much of the marketing is left to you even with a contract. Book signings, tours, ads, radio spots, and such may fall on your shoulders. Additionally, the editorial staff often takes great liberties with your manuscript. While this solves editing issues, it can wreak havoc with the author’s creative vision.
 
The traditional publishing landscape has changed so significantly in recent years that several once mega-companies have merged and downsized. Focus is placed on the sure things--authors who have already proven they can sell books. For debut authors, agents and publishers have become much more selective than years past, seeking that needle in the haystack—a jackpot writer who will be a lucrative investment for their company. This leaves the majority of new authors in a difficult position.
 
If you have worked hard on your manuscript--including professional-grade editing; queried numerous agents; sent out partial and full manuscripts, and are still not getting a contract, it may be time to reframe your thinking and consider independent or self-publishing.
 
The mental switch can be challenging. You feel you are leaving behind a long-held dream, assuming the rejections reflect the quality of your work. But take heed: countless successful authors have been repeatedly rejected, only to be offered contracts years later. More importantly, indie publishing allows you to get your book out into the world, where once it wasn’t possible without a traditional contract.
 
Yes, you will have a great deal of work to get the word out on your own. But it you stick with it, the effort will pay off. While you may not see significant revenue at the outset, you will establish your brand, develop name recognition, building traction and a significant following for the next book.
 
Remember: Think of the long game and you’ll succeed!