Once you have completed a manuscript for a book whether a novel or work of non-fiction, you then have to decide how you want it published. This decision will depend on many things, including time and money.

You have two major choices: find a traditional publisher or self-publish. There are pros (advantages) and cons (disadvantages) to each.

Traditional publisher: This is the publishing company (like Bantam, Avon, TOR, Harlequin) that you must query, and then follow their guidelines as per outlines, synopses, full manuscripts etc.

Self-Publishing: There are two main ways to do this: ‘do it yourself’ (some people call this “true self-publishing”) or subsidy publishing, where you pay for a package and the publisher handles some of the distribution.

The main disadvantages of a traditional publisher:

Finding a traditional publisher is a long process and there are no guarantees. It can take years of rejection letters before you even get a request for a full manuscript. Less than 2% of all manuscripts submitted are ever published.

Your book is NOT guaranteed to be on every bookstore shelf.

Promotion and advertising is up to the author.

Events are also the author’s responsibilities.

You will earn less per book.