Aspiring authors ask me the same questions all the time: Why would I want a traditional publishing deal? What does a traditional publisher have to offer me? These questions are coming more often in the wake of stories about indie e-book authors making a mint.
My answer to why someone might want a traditional publishing day in this day and age is usually three-fold. A traditional publisher offers you:
- credibility
- distribution
- a business partner
There are pros and cons for sure for choosing each option. Most authors don’t weigh the options fully before jumping in. to go self-pub it has to be considered as a small business model and a long-term venture.
Asrai,
You are exactly correct. The problem is that most self-publishers don’t even bother to come up with a business plan of any sort prior to starting out. They don’t examine the competition or the market or figure out how they will make their book unique or promote it. Most don’t even want to be involved with anything that has to do with business.