How to Decide Between Traditional and Self-Publishing

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we talk about the art of preserving your story and passing it on with impact. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re stepping into an important crossroad for every storyteller who’s thinking about turning their words into a book: Should you pursue traditional publishing, or should you self-publish?

This decision isn’t just about how your book gets into the world—it’s about your goals, your values, and your voice. Both paths have their pros and cons, and today we’ll walk through them together. So whether you’ve finished your manuscript, are just getting started, or are dreaming of holding your story in your hands one day, this episode will help you make a more informed—and confident—choice. 

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Transcript

Don: 0:12

"Welcome to The Legacy Project Podcast, where we talk about the art of preserving your story and passing it on with impact. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re stepping into an important crossroad for every storyteller who’s thinking about turning their words into a book: Should you pursue traditional publishing, or should you self-publish? This decision isn’t just about how your book gets into the world: it’s about your goals, your values, and your voice. Both paths have their pros and cons, and today we’ll walk through them together. So whether you’ve finished your manuscript, are just getting started, or are dreaming of holding your story in your hands one day, this episode will help you make a more informed: and confident: choice. Let’s get started.""Let’s begin with traditional publishing. This is the route many writers think of first: signing with a publishing house, seeing your book on shelves, working with a professional editor, and having a team behind you. In this model, you typically submit your manuscript: or even just a book proposal: to a literary agent. That agent, if they believe in your work, then pitches it to publishers. If a publisher picks it up, they pay for editing, cover design, printing, and distribution. It sounds like the dream: and for many, it is. But it’s not without its challenges. Traditional publishing can be a long, competitive process. You’ll need patience, persistence, and, often, a thick skin for rejection. But if your goal is widespread distribution, credibility, and professional polish, it can be a powerful path. It’s especially valuable for authors who want their book in bookstores, libraries, or academic institutions.""Now let’s talk about self-publishing: a path that has grown in legitimacy and popularity over the last decade. When you self-publish, you are the publisher. That means you retain control over every aspect of your book: your timeline, your cover design, your content, and your price. You also keep a larger share of your royalties. Thanks to platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing(KDP), IngramSpark, and others, you can publish your book digitally and in print: on your schedule. But here’s the key difference: you’re responsible for everything. You’ll either need to develop skills in editing, formatting, and marketing: or hire professionals who can help. This path can be incredibly rewarding for writers who value ownership, speed, and creative freedom. It’s also a great fit if your book is meant for a niche audience, a personal community, or part of a broader mission: like leaving a family legacy.""The best publishing path depends on your goals. So let’s pause and reflect. Ask yourself: Do I want my book to reach a broad commercial audience: or a more personal or niche group? Am I comfortable pitching my book to agents and waiting on responses? Do I want complete creative control: or am I open to a team shaping the final product? Am I ready to invest time and possibly money into publishing, or do I want someone else to handle those parts? Traditional publishing might make more sense if you’re seeking literary prestige, mass exposure, or don’t want to finance the publishing process. Self-publishing might be right if you want to move quickly, keep creative control, build a personal brand, or publish a deeply personal work without the approval of a gatekeeper. For many authors: especially legacy writers like those in our community: a hybrid approach works well. Some self-publish their memoir or family story while pursuing traditional publishing for broader market books later on.""This isn’t just a business decision: it’s an emotional one. You’ve poured your heart into your story. You want it to be seen, valued, and respected. And sometimes, the fear of rejection can hold us back from pursuing traditional publishing. Other times, the overwhelm of managing every detail can make self-publishing feel out of reach. Here’s what I want you to know: your story is worthy either way. The publishing path you choose does not define the value of your words. What matters most is that you finish your book: and that it finds the people who need to read it. Whether you choose a publisher, build your own path, or find something in between, the real power is in your decision to share your story.""If you’re leaning toward traditional publishing, start researching literary agents who represent your genre. Learn how to write a compelling query letter. Be prepared for the long game. If you’re leaning toward self-publishing, start building your support team: an editor, a cover designer, a formatter, maybe even a coach. Begin exploring publishing platforms and learn what it takes to launch. And remember: you don’t have to decide today. You just have to keep moving. Keep writing. Keep believing that your story has a place in the world. If you need guidance, grab a copy of my book, The Legacy Project: A Guide to Sharing Your Story, where I cover both paths in detail: along with exercises, prompts, and strategies to help you through every stage of the journey.""As we wrap up today’s episode, I want to leave you with this thought: the publishing world is changing. The rules are evolving. But one truth remains: stories still matter. And your story deserves to be told. So whether you choose to walk the path of traditional publishing or forge your own through self-publishing, do it with heart, do it with purpose, and do it knowing that your words have the power to make an impact. Thank you for joining me on The Legacy Project Podcast. Keep writing. Keep dreaming. And when the time is right, choose the path that aligns with your voice, your values, and your vision. I’ll see you next time."