It’s a question our team hears all the time. In reality, there are major successes for every style of book in both traditional and self-publishing every year. But there are some unique characteristics that increase your likelihood of success for either publishing route. So while we think 2022 may be the best year to self-publish yet, you should still weigh your options based upon the spectrum of considerations:
Who is Reading Self-Published Fiction?
Self-published fiction doesn’t automatically come with a niche audience anymore. If you publish with Kindle Unlimited or on the Nook marketplace, many readers won’t be able to tell whether a book has been self-published or not. Voracious readers of your genre will give your story a chance so long as it has a good synopsis and appears on their “latest in fiction” suggestions because they’re always hungry for more content. Many of these readers pride themselves on reviewing every single book they read, so hooking just a few can lead to compound success. Casual readers are less likely to find your story at first when you self-publish, but you can grow into that readership if the more dedicated crowd is entertained by your story. So, catering to dedicated readership can be your ticket to success.
The Factors of Publishing Trends
Every season, there is a new hit topic that will fly off the shelves with readers. Years ago, when Hunger Games reached wild success, that subgenre was dystopian fiction. While some dystopian can still be found in new releases today, fewer titles are being released each year by the big publishers because mainstream readers have grown tired of it. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t readers who still love dystopian fiction. It just means that publishers aren’t willing to take the financial risks on it they used to. For that reason, writers who choose out-of-favor topics are more likely to find success self-publishing.
Of course, the opposite is true as well. If your fiction fits into the niche of the moment or tackles a subgenre that hasn’t gotten as much play for quite a while, publishers are more likely to give you their attention. Being part of a wave in fiction has its rewards. Being at the beginning of one can lead to unimaginable success.
Audience Size and Publishing
Publishers love stories that appeal to the broad spectrum of human experience. It’s understandable why. They’re putting a big investment into each story, hoping it will pan out, which most don't. The more people that can relate to your story, the more potential readers there are for it. This is why, though the industry is working to do better now, they have largely overlooked marginalized voices over the last couple of decades.
But self-publishing tends to reward just the opposite. Being able to cater to a small, forgotten community means being able to create a deep connection with readers that can spread like wildfire. The community itself will appreciate your story passionately, and slowly their recommendations will trickle to a larger audience. So long as there is still relatability to the wider public in your story, this has the potential to grow exponentially.
Your Goals as an Author
While the content of your story may lean toward being more traditional or self-publishing friendly, keeping your own goals and reasons for publishing in mind is just as if not more important. For many authors, they’re querying because the prestige that comes with it is a dream. But that’s only one of the pros of traditional publishing, and it comes with many cons. You should be aware of both as well as the advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing to be certain of your best next steps. It’s okay to re-evaluate which is right for you as your situation changes.
The Cost of Self-Publishing
For some authors, their reasons are purely financial for pursuing traditional publishing, and that’s understandable. It’s true that you’re much more likely to achieve success if you’re willing to invest some money into your story. The average indie author will invest $2000 toward their novel, but the costs of self-publishing can be cut down if you have skills to help compensate. You can even have a professional editing service that gives you the editorial advantages of traditional publishing. A good indie editor will even provide you with tips to cut costs on your self-publishing venture.
Both self-publishing and traditional publishing are valid and worthwhile options for authors these days. But knowing your story’s unique merits and impediments for your desired publishing journey can make all the difference in strategy. When you know, you can address these considerations in advance and sell your story in a way that will entice an offer.
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