Making the Leap From Self to Traditional Publishing

Breaking into traditional publishing is a major milestone for any writer. Traditional publishing offers a writer professional support and broader distribution, but getting there requires a strategic approach. Here’s a few things you’ll need to know to make the leap successfully.

There exists a common misconception that self-published authors need to sell thousands of copies to make the transition from self-published writer, to a traditionally published author. In reality, it’s quality writing, and a marketable concept that are key.

Concentrate on perfecting your manuscript and crafting a compelling query letter—these are your first steps to capturing the attention of agents and publishers.

The publishing industry doesn’t exist to make dreams come true; it’s a business first and foremost, and traditional publishers are primarily interested in books that show market potential. Be sure to track your sales, your read-through rates on platforms like Kindle Unlimited, and gather reader testimonials. Compile this data into a clear report to demonstrate your self-published success when pitching to agents and publishers.

When considering the move to traditional publishing, it’s important to understand the financial differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing. Traditional publishers will usually offer an advance, which is a pre-payment against future royalties. They also cover the costs of editing, design, and marketing. However, the royalty percentage an author receives per sale is typically lower than in self-publishing.

In self-publishing, authors bear the upfront costs but retain a larger share of the profits from each sale. Being aware of these financial aspects will help you set realistic expectations, and will inform your decision on which publishing route best suits your goals.

Establish a professional online presence and author platform. This includes a website, an active social media account that’s relevant to your genre, and an email list for communicating directly with readers. Develop a cohesive author brand that reflects your writing and target audience. This strengthens your marketability.

Your manuscript will, by nature, have gone through numerous edits, revisions, and rewrites. The next step is to ensure your manuscript is polished. This includes developmental editing (story structure, pacing), copyediting (grammar, punctuation, style), and proofreading (typos, formatting). I can’t recommend enough investing in a reputable, professional editing service, like Indigoediting.com. This investment not only gets your manuscript up to professional standards, it demonstrates your commitment to quality.

Most traditional publishers require authors to submit their manuscripts through a literary agent, who possesses industry connections and can negotiate contracts on behalf of the author. However, some smaller publishers and independent presses may accept unsolicited submissions directly from authors, so it’s essential to carefully review their submission guidelines.

Research agents and publishers who specialize in your genre using resources like Publishers Marketplace, AgentQuery, and Writer’s Digest. Understand industry standards and carefully follow each agent or publisher’s submission guidelines, tailoring your query to their preferences.

You’ll need to craft a concise, engaging query letter that highlights your book’s unique selling points and your platform’s strengths.

Write a clear, concise synopsis that summarizes the entire plot, including the ending, and captures the book’s tone. Prepare professionally formatted sample chapters (usually the first three) that are polished and error-free.

Now you wait.

Response times from agents and publishers can vary widely based on their workload and submission type. Generally, agents take 4 to 12 weeks to respond to queries, with additional months if they request a full manuscript. Publishers accepting unsolicited submissions may take 3 to 6 months, while smaller presses often respond within 1 to 3 months. Always check their stated guidelines for response times; if you haven’t heard back within their timeframe (or after 3-4 months if unspecified), a polite, professional follow-up inquiry is acceptable.

Rejections are a normal part of the submission process, so don’t take them personally. Stay professional, learn from feedback, remain persistent and again, always be professional.

If an agent offers you representation, they’ll advocate for your book, negotiate contracts, and guide you through the publishing process. Carefully review and understand your agent agreement, as it will cover advances, royalties, rights, and publication timelines. It's crucial to understand exclusivity clauses, which require you to work solely with that agent or publisher for a specific work or genre, limiting your options.

Also, be aware of option clauses. These give the publisher the first right of refusal on your next work, potentially affecting your flexibility and bargaining power in future deals. Make sure you understand the implications of these clauses before signing any agreement.

While the publisher will spearhead major marketing initiatives, your active involvement is crucial for your book’s success. Leverage your platform through social media, blog posts, and email newsletters. Participate in book signings, literary events, and co-create targeted marketing materials. Maintain open communication with your publisher to brainstorm and execute unified, impactful promotional campaigns.

Unless you’ve signed a contract specifically prohibiting it, there’s no need to abandon your self-publishing efforts entirely. You can publish different works in various ways, so you can go ahead and continue to self-publish and engaging with your readership; this will only strengthen your author platform, it’ll make you more attractive to publishers. Use your platform to promote your traditionally published book and consider self-publishing other works like novellas or short stories.

Making the leap from self to traditional publishing is entirely possible with the right approach. Focus on building your author platform, refining your manuscript, and understanding the traditional publishing landscape. Be persistent in your efforts, learn from feedback, and actively engage with your audience. With dedication and strategic planning, you can successfully navigate this transition and find success in traditional publishing.

Have you made the leap from self to traditional publishing? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to sign up to be notified when new blog posts, news, and tidbits are published on this website.

Thank-you for reading!

~Dani