Episode 489: Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: The Real Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Decide

You've finished your manuscript, and now you're facing one of the biggest decisions of your writing journey: Should you pursue traditional publishing or take the indie route? If you've ever felt paralyzed by this choice, you're not alone—and this episode is exactly what you need.

Literary agent Sherri Wilson Johnson brings a unique perspective to this conversation. As both an agent at Gardner Literary and a self-published romance author, she's walked both paths and understands the real-world implications of each choice. In this candid conversation recorded during a Writing at the Red House Collective session, Sherry breaks down the essential questions you need to ask yourself before making this crucial decision.

Key Questions to Guide Your Publishing Decision

Before you can choose your path, Sherri encourages writers to honestly assess where they are:

• Are you a writer only, or are you willing to become a business person? Self-publishing requires entrepreneurial skills—or a team to provide them.

• Are you a solo creator or a collaborator? Traditional publishing means working with editors, marketers, and designers who will have opinions about your work.

• Do you want to pay people or have them pay you? With indie publishing, you invest upfront. With traditional, you receive an advance.

• How much of a hurry are you in? Traditional publishing timelines can stretch 18 months or longer from contract to bookshelf.

• Do you need full creative control? Traditional publishers have final say on covers, titles, and sometimes content.

• Do you need the validation of traditional publishing? Be honest about what success looks like for you.

The Beautiful Truth: You Have Options

One of the most freeing takeaways from this episode is that you don't have to choose just one path forever. The hybrid author model—where writers publish both traditionally and independently—is increasingly common. Kathi herself has done this, traditionally publishing books like Clutter Free while self-publishing companion Bible studies.

What About Your Platform?

Sherri addresses a common misconception: "I don't have a platform, so I'll just self-publish." Her honest response? That's fine, but then you might not sell any copies. Self-publishing isn't the easy way out—it's simply a different path with its own challenges. The key is knowing your goals before you begin.

Does Self-Publishing Hurt Your Traditional Chances?

Good news for indie authors: self-publishing generally doesn't count against you with traditional publishers. In fact, Sherri notes that despite her published novels, she would be considered a "debut author" if she pursued traditional publishing. However, if you traditionally publish and have poor sales, that can affect future opportunities.

Finding the Right Support

Whether you choose traditional or indie publishing, you'll need help. Sherri recommends vetted resources for editors through Gardner Literary's website and suggests 99 Designs for cover design. She also points listeners to the Christian Indie Authors Facebook group for community support.

The bottom line? Your publishing path should align with your "why." As Sherri shares from her own experience, when her motivation shifted from ministry to money-making, she couldn't write at all. Regularly reassessing your goals and motivations will help you make decisions that serve both your message and your calling.