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Should you sign with a legitimate book publisher or self-publish?

Results so far:

Self
23% 201 votes Total: 871 votes
Publisher
77% 670 votes
  • 1 of 23

    by April Wilson

    The question "Should you sign with a legitimate book publisher or self-publish?" is a loaded question. From the very beginning it implies that self-publishing isn't legitimate. Unfortunately

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  • 2 of 23

    by Wendy C. Allen

    Can a Book be Both Traditionally Published AND POD Self-Published?

    I self-publish and love doing so, but self-publishing is not for everyone. It is a lot of hard work, but than again,

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  • 3 of 23

    by Toni Stauffer

    I have published numerous short stories in the horror genre and now I'm working on my first novel. I am seriously considering self-publishing, perhaps using a Print-on-Demand service

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  • 4 of 23

    by LK Hunsaker

    First off, the question stated here is highly biased. "Legitimate" being used in place of "traditional" gives a sense that those authors not using one of the top 5 publishing companies

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  • 5 of 23

    by Aster C. Lilly

    If you want to become a published author, nowadays you must publish on your own.

    Don't forget, *writing is a business*.

    In the immortal words of MF Doom, "This ain't a hobby, don't

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  • 6 of 23

    by Dale Cox

    The answer to this question really revolves around your book, its market and your willingness to work hard. Self publishing can be an outstanding way of getting books on local history,

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  • 7 of 23

    by Elaine Sihera

    You should self publish every time. The only thing another publisher would be able to give you more than you can give yourself is more volume in printing and and their expertise in

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  • 8 of 23

    by Cliff Ball

    I think there are some benefits to both. If you aren't patient enough to wait six months or more to hear from a publisher about giving them your novel or if they decided to reject

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  • 9 of 23

    by Codi Moltrup

    Being able to write creatively takes talent. Being able to sit down and write a full-length manuscript takes discipline. Being able to self-publish takes both of these and determination.

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  • 10 of 23

    by Bruno Somerset

    To properly assess traditional publishing vs. self-publishing as a means of getting your novel to readers, you must first understand the realities of each method. Both have advantages

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  • 11 of 23

    by Lisa Fuller

    Any Dream Won't do! (Apologies to Andrew Lloyd-Webber.)



    What happens when you have a dream to pursue and you can't find a way of making that dream come true? It depends on the dream,

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  • 12 of 23

    by Rebecca Anne Grant

    I am fixing to publish my own book, and I am going to self-publish it because I found a company that will help me sell it on-line and distribute it through all the big name-brand booksellers

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  • 13 of 23

    by Andrea Daniels

    It's certainly not a case of 'black-or-white' when it comes to publishing, nor could it possibly be 'carved in stone'.

    Even more to the point, so to speak, are the questions surrounding

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  • 14 of 23

    by Richard Saare

    Writing is more than the gift of the Muse, as the Greeks called it. It is a culmination of mental labor, determination, and perseverance. To write a novel, (manuscript), from beginning

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  • 15 of 23

    by TIMOTHY J. THOMPSON

    All aspiring writers should look seriously into self publishing because it can kick start their careers in the most dynamic of ways.

    Yes, it is true that established publishing firms

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  • 16 of 23

    by ClodaghMcKlin

    For the past six or so months, I have spent hours researching publishing. To graduate high school we must do a senior project, and I chose to publish my novel I have been working on

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  • 17 of 23

    by Satish Shukla

    The whole point in writing is to create literature that not only entertains- this sure- but also fulfills its sine qua non function, namely contributing to advancement of the finer,

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  • 18 of 23

    by Ms Zola

    Both forms of publishing have their own merit. Publishing through a traditional publishing company has certain benefits such as an immediate payment to the author, the company will

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  • 19 of 23

    by Crystal Frost

    I personally self publish. I think if you know how to get yourself noticed then you are better off self publishing. There are downsides to self publishing and book publishers. Depending

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  • 20 of 23

    by Randy Vaughan

    For those not paying attention, self-publishing is destined to have a dramatic impact on so-called traditional publishing. Hell, even the title of this debate hints at everything absolutely

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  • 1 of 25

    by Gary Maclean

    So you have a book and you want to publish it. You've gathered all your best thoughts in between two covers and you want the world to read it. You've had family read it and it has

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  • 2 of 25

    by Dancing Queen

    Persuading a legitimate publisher to accept your manuscript is such a daunting task that it is tempting to self-publish - but it can also lead to disappointment, and I know of many

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  • 3 of 25

    by Patrick Julius

    Commercial publishing is preferable to self-publishing for a variety of reasons. There are some occasions where self-publishing is a good option, but in most cases, commercial publishing

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  • 4 of 25

    by Michael Greaney

    Your goals as a writer determine how you publish your message.  If your goal is a limited audience composed of friends and relations, the annual Christmas newsletter many people

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  • 5 of 25

    by Gail Dennehy

    Are you ready to hang on the phone for six hours a day trying to set up readings? Do you have the gas it will take to drive from book store to book store selling your newest novel?

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  • 6 of 25

    by Norma Budden

    Publishing books through mainstream publishers definitely has advantages over self-publishing books - providing you can get a mainstream publisher to purchase your book, that is. However,

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  • 7 of 25

    by Ryan Anderson

    The question implies that it's a simple choice authors have to make. Imagine if it were that simple! Hmm which way should I go? The easier or the harder way? Neither is particularly

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  • 8 of 25

    by Sarah Williams

    To Self Publish or not to Self Publish...that is a HUGE question! When I first started writing my novel I thought that it was so wonderful that I would undoubtedly get published by

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  • 9 of 25

    by Bill Woffington

    Should a writer sign with a legitimate publisher or self publish?  My vote is for legitimate publishers.

    From my own limited experience I can tell you that legitimate publishers

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  • 10 of 25

    by Sammy Stein

    I have had two publishers interested in my book ' The Smile Catcher'. One compared it favourably to the Big Friendly Giant and the other said ,'this is a true gem of a book, It must

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  • 11 of 25

    by EMoore

    Using established publishers is a better choice for book publishing, by far. However, it may not be the easier choice. Writers wants to know that the words they have labored months

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  • 12 of 25

    by Patrick Sills

    In this particular discussion, I chose a legitimate publisher (also known as a traditional book publisher) after learning about self-publishing the hard way. Before I begin to state

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  • 13 of 25

    by Shelley Retterer

    As complexing as a dilemma this is, I think I'll go with the side, that has the most advantages, a publisher. Primarily not only will you receive income from this venture, but all

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  • 14 of 25

    by Tara Moore

    It is very exciting and very rewarding when you finish a book for the first time. There are so many options available for authors. Self-publishing does cut out the middle man, and

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  • 15 of 25

    by Viv Evans

    If a legitimate book publisher wants to sign you, congratulations! You have passed the test and produced a marketable work.

    On the other hand, if you've just received rejection slip

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  • 16 of 25

    by Jason Lusk

    Self-publishing is an attractive idea. Many writers try for years to sell their work to a legitimate publisher with no success. As it is with everything, there are pros and cons with

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  • 17 of 25

    by Kameron M. Franklin

    If your goal is to make a living as a writer, signing with a legitimate publisher is the correct course to follow. Established publishing houses offer many benefits over self-publishing:

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  • 18 of 25

    by Ted Sherman

    If you're writing a book and want to get it published, don't make any inquiries until you've checked with others who've had books marketed successfully, legitimate literary agents

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  • 19 of 25

    by J. B. Well

    Go with the legitimate book publisher. It may cost a little more, but in the long run it will prevent those on-coming headaches of trying to self publish. Many don't know that when

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  • 20 of 25

    by Janice Ropers

    Under most circumstances, you should sign with an established book publisher. You will have greater credibility in the publishing world, you stand to make significantly more money,

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