So You Want To Write A Book: What Publishing Options Should New Authors Consider?

Don't sleep on serialized platforms like Royal Road or Wattpad. Posting chapters as you write builds an audience from day one, which is gold dust. If the story catches fire, you can pivot to publishing the completed work on Amazon. It’s a low-risk way to test ideas and get immediate reader feedback, which is brutal but useful. The downside is you’re essentially giving the first draft away for free, and monetization is indirect until you publish an ebook or get picked up for a 'Stories' program. Still, for genre fiction, especially progression fantasy or romance, it’s a legitimate launchpad that bypasses the gatekeepers entirely.

I see a lot of new writers treating traditional publishing as the only 'real' validation. That mindset can be really damaging. Vanity presses prey on it, charging thousands for packages that deliver very little. A legit small press won't ask for money from you—they pay you. The real question is about your goals. If you dream of seeing your book in a physical bookstore, traditional is still the most reliable route, even if it's slow. If your aim is to connect with a specific niche readership quickly and keep most of the earnings, self-publishing is the tool for that job. Neither is inherently superior; they're different tools for different projects. My colleague went the self-pub route for her technical nonfiction guide and makes steady sales every month with minimal upkeep. She'd have been ignored by the big five.

Starting from zero can feel overwhelming, but mapping the landscape helps. First, there’s the traditional route—hunting for an agent, then a publisher. That’s a marathon, filled with query letters and waiting, but the payoff is professional backing, an advance, and distribution muscle. For those drawn to creative control and speed, self-publishing through Amazon KDP or Draft2Digital is a valid turn. The royalty rates are higher, but the marketing burden lands on your shoulders. A third path, often overlooked, is submitting directly to contests or literary magazines. It builds a resume and can attract attention from bigger players.

Hybrid models exist too, like working with a small press. You might not get a huge advance, but you often get more editorial attention and a partnership vibe. The decision isn’t just about money; it’s about what kind of authorial experience you want. Someone who thrives on collaboration might wilt under the solitude of self-publishing, while a control freak could chafe under a publishing house’s marketing plans.

Honestly, my first attempt was a mess—I sent a half-baked fantasy novel to every major agent listed online without researching their interests. Wasted a year. Now I’d say pick one lane for your first project and commit fully to its requirements, whether that’s polishing a query until it shines or learning the basics of cover design.

The contract details matter more than the glamour of the imprint. Royalty percentages, rights reversion clauses, non-compete terms—these can make or break a career. A terrible deal with a big name can lock your work up for years. Sometimes a transparent, author-friendly small press is the smarter long-term play. Always, always get someone to look over any contract before you sign.