CONGRATULATIONS! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU
IMPORTANT! PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO BEFORE YOUR CALL
(It's incredibly important that you watch this entire video before your call)
Read Your Book or Your Excuse to see exactly what this call is going to look like (30-min read).
Take this quiz to see how familiar you are with the publishing industry (takes 2 min and it’s fun!)
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost?
What is an Advance?
| Feature | Traditional Publishing | Self-Publishing | Entrepreneurial Publishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership of Rights | Publisher owns rights | Author retains full rights | Author retains full rights |
| Royalties | ~10% of retail price | 100% of net profits | 100% of net profits |
| Creative Control | Limited (publisher decides cover, title, edits) | Full | Full, guided by experts |
| Speed to Market | 1–2 years | Weeks to months | Months |
| Upfront Cost | $0 (but editing often required pre-submission) | $10k–$100k+ depending on scope | $10k–$60k depending on services |
| Advance | Possible, but rare—essentially a zero-interest loan that must be earned back; comes with loss of rights, control, and long timelines | None | None |
| Quality Control | Publisher handles editing, design, layout | Author manages team or does it solo | Professional team handles everything |
| Marketing Support | Often minimal unless you're a top author | Author must handle or outsource | Full marketing strategy included |
| Distribution | Bookstores, libraries, global reach | Mostly online, unless manually pitched | Online + bookstore/library access via partners |
| Barrier to Entry | High: need agent, only ~1% accepted | Low: no gatekeepers | Moderate: requires investment but no gatekeepers |
| Time Investment | High (querying, editing, waiting) | High (learning, managing, executing) | Low to medium (outsourced to professionals) |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | Long-term, uncertain | Potentially high with effort | High potential through speaking, consulting, foreign rights |
| Best For | Academics, literary authors seeking prestige | DIY authors with time, project mgmt skills | Entrepreneurs, speakers, consultants, executives |