How to Get a Book Published for Beginners

You’ve written a book—an amazing accomplishment in itself! Now comes the big question: How do you get it published? The world of publishing offers two main paths: traditional publishing and self-publishing. Both routes have their own benefits and challenges, and the choice isn’t about which is “better” overall—it’s about what’s best for you and your manuscript.

How to Get a Book Published

Traditional Publishing

In traditional publishing, your book is picked up by a publishing house, which could range from the Big Five (like Penguin Random House or HarperCollins) to smaller, independent presses.

Here’s how it works:

As an author, you write and polish your book until it as close to publication-ready as possible. Then, you query literary agents or small publishers directly. If you want to get in front of large publishers, you'll need an agent but there are small and mid-sized presses that are open to unagented submissions. Either way, you'll need to prepare a query package, including a query letter, pitch, comp titles, and more.

Is Traditional Publishing Right for You?

Traditional publishing might be the best choice if:

• You want the backing and support of an established team.

• You’re looking for wide distribution in physical bookstores.

• You’re open to sharing control over your book’s creative aspects.

• You’re willing to invest time and effort into querying agents and editors.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing allows you to take control of every aspect of your book's creation, production, and marketing.

Here’s how it works:

1. Full Creative Control: In self-publishing, you’re in charge. You decide when the book is ready for publication, choose the cover, hire editors, and set the price. The timeline is also up to you—you could publish your book in a matter of months, or even weeks, once it’s ready.

2. Costs and Earnings: Self-publishing means fronting the costs yourself. You’ll need to pay for editing, cover design, formatting, and marketing. However, you also keep a larger share of the profits because you absorb the publisher's cut.

3. Distribution: While platforms like KDP and IngramSpark can give you global distribution online (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.), getting into physical bookstores can be more challenging, but you have the freedom to choose where and how your book is sold.

   
   

Is Self-Publishing Right for You?

Self-publishing might be the best choice if:

• You want full control over your book and its timeline.

• You’re prepared to invest upfront in production costs like editing and design.

• You’re comfortable with learning the business side of publishing

Which Publishing Route is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to publishing. The key is to consider your goals, your resources, and what feels like the best fit for your book. Do you want the backing of a traditional publisher, even if it means waiting longer for publication? Or do you love the idea of controlling every aspect of your book and publishing it on your own terms?

Whatever path you choose, remember this: both traditional and self-publishing can lead to success. It’s all about finding the path that works for you and your manuscript.

Celebrate Your Journey

No matter which route you choose, you’re on an incredible journey. Whether you’re querying agents or navigating the world of self-publishing, every step brings you closer to sharing your story with the world.

Keep believing in your work, stay open to the process, and celebrate every milestone along the way. You’ve already accomplished something amazing—you’ve written a book! 🎉