| Once you have completed a manuscript for a | | | | DISADVANTAGES |
| book, whether a novel or work of non-fiction, you | | | | The main disadvantages of a traditional publisher: |
| then have to decide how you want it published. | | | | |
| This decision will depend on many things, including | | | | 1. Finding a traditional publisher is a long process |
| time and money. | | | | and there are no guarantees. It can take years of |
| You have two major choices: find a traditional | | | | rejection letters before you even get a request |
| publisher or self-publish. There are pros | | | | for a full manuscript. Less than 2% of all |
| (advantages) and cons (disadvantages) to each. | | | | manuscripts submitted are ever published. |
| Traditional publisher: This is the publishing company | | | | 2. Your book is NOT guaranteed to be on every |
| (like Bantam, Avon, TOR, Harlequin) that you | | | | bookstore shelf. |
| must query, then follow their guidelines as per | | | | 3. Promotion and advertising is up to the author. |
| outlines, synopses, full manuscripts etc. | | | | 4. Events are also the author's responsibilities. |
| Self-Publishing: There are two main ways to do | | | | 5. You will earn less per book. |
| this--DIY or 'do it yourself' (some people call this | | | | The main disadvantages of DIY self-publishing: |
| "true self-publishing") or subsidy publishing, where | | | | |
| you pay for a package and the publisher handles | | | | 1. |
| some of the distribution. | | | | |