Traditional Publishing – Say Yes to the 2% Solution

Traditional publishing isn’t getting a lot of love these days.

At least, that’s my impression.

All the buzz is around indie publishing.

I get it. In fact, I dig it.

I love the fact that writers can get their stories out in the world and do it any way they see fit. It’s really cool that the gatekeepers don’t matter. That is, if you don’t want them to matter.

Indie writers and indie publishers are putting out knockout, high-quality books. Indie writers are making tons of money. Check that—some indie writers are making tons of money.

As many have pointed out, you can no longer tell the quality of an indie publication by a glance at the cover or a brief sample of the prose inside. In some cases, the quality of an indie publication is better. Better cover, better editing inside, better story inside, and better marketing associated with the title.

It’s true. 

And don’t talk to me about the issue of speed. We all know traditional publishing means waiting. And waiting some more. We all know traditional publishing means long lead times. Do you want to wait years (and years) to publish or get it done, like, now?

Of course, the opposite is also true. Too many indie books are rushed out. Too many indie books make it clear that editing was an after-thought. And some traditionally published books are, of course, titles that will stay on your shelf (more importantly, remain in your head) for the rest of your life. 

So what’s the appeal of traditional publishing? Why subject yourself to a world where the acceptance rate hovers around 2 percent?

Here’s one guy’s initial answer: a team of independent professionals on your side.

An agent.

An editor. (Or editors.)

Developmental editors, copyeditors, graphic designers, etcetera.

Yes, I’m sure that traditional publishing is not what it used to be. And yes, you still have to market the hell out of your traditionally-published book. But the quality of people I’ve had a chance to work with is outstanding and the insights they have brought to my writing (agent and editors, both) cannot be measured.

And here’s one guy’s additional answer: there’s something to be said for focusing on the writing, for putting aside all the thoughts of going indie, for deciding to bear down on going traditional.

So I thought I would spend the next few blogs talking about how I would approach my writing career today if I was keen on pursuing a traditional publisher. 

(Does that sound valuable? I’d welcome your opinion in the comments.)

Yes, I get the allure of indie publishing.

I’ll say it again: I do.

But pursuing a literary agent and then pursuing a traditional publishing contract comes with a different mindset. A different orientation, in a way. 

Here’s a belief I have: if you want to go the traditional route, it can be done.

The work starts with the most important thing of all.

The words.

More next month.

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Photo by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash