Traditional Publishing verses Self-Publishing through Mereo Books
Here's a breakdown of the key differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing, based on important factors like control, cost, royalties, and distribution.
Traditional Publishing
✅ Pros:
No upfront costs – The publisher covers editing, cover design, printing, and marketing.
Prestige & credibility – Getting published by a well-known company (e.g., Penguin, HarperCollins) can boost your reputation.
Wider distribution – Traditional publishers have strong connections with bookstores, libraries, and media.
Professional editing & design – Your book will be polished and well-packaged.
❌ Cons:
Highly competitive – You need a literary agent, rejection rates are high and the process can take years.
Less creative control – The publisher makes decisions about the cover, title, and even content.
Lower royalties – Authors typically earn 5-15% per print book and 25% on eBooks.
Slow process – It can take years to get published and released.
Self-Publishing
✅ Pros:
Full control – You decide on the cover, content, and pricing.
Higher royalties – Authors can earn 35-70% on eBooks and more on print books.
Faster publication – You can publish in weeks instead of years.
No gatekeepers – No need for agent approval; anyone can publish.
❌ Cons:
Upfront costs – You pay for editing, cover design, and marketing.
Marketing is on you – You must promote your book to drive sales.
Limited bookstore presence – Most bookstores prefer traditionally published books although Mereo Books quality control negates this.
Quality control – Without professional editing, the final product may suffer.
Which One is Best for You?
If you want credibility, wider distribution, and don’t mind waiting, traditional publishing is ideal.
If you want full control, higher royalties, and a quicker release, self-publishing is the way to go.
Would you like more details on platforms or the publishing process? Mereo Books can help because we publish our authors books both traditionally and self-publishing as hybrid publishers.
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