Publishing, explained
There is more than one legitimate way to publish a book.
The right route depends on what you want: control, speed, investment, support, prestige, distribution, ownership or some combination of them.
Last updated 26 September 2026 · Reviewed by Quill & Reed · General information, not legal or tax advice
Should I traditionally publish or self-publish?
Traditional publishing may suit authors who want a publisher to acquire and fund the book and are prepared for a competitive submission process and less control. Self-publishing may suit authors who want speed and control and are prepared to manage or pay for production themselves. Neither route is automatically better for every author.
Model 1
Traditional publishing
A publisher selects the book and, under contract, typically funds and controls much of its production and distribution. Access is competitive, often through a literary agent, and timelines from signing to publication can be long.
| Strengths may include | Trade-offs may include |
|---|---|
| No author production fee | Less creative and commercial control |
| Professional infrastructure | Rights licensed or assigned under contract |
| Trade relationships | A slower process |
| Industry credibility | Competitive acceptance |
| Potential distribution reach | Income shared according to the contract |
Model 2
DIY self-publishing
The author controls and manages everything: editing, cover, formatting, ISBNs, platforms, metadata, pricing, publication and marketing — commissioning freelancers where they choose. For authors with a tight budget and the time and inclination to learn, this can be an excellent route.
| Potential strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Control | Time |
| Speed | A learning curve |
| Direct account ownership | Coordinating specialists |
| Flexibility | Quality control |
| Low platform entry costs | The marketing workload |
Model 3
Professional or assisted self-publishing
The author stays independent but pays specialists, or a company, to handle part or all of the production process. This is the territory Quill & Reed occupies. Quality across this part of the market varies widely, so due diligence matters.
| Potential strengths | Potential challenges |
|---|---|
| Professional assistance | The author pays the costs |
| Author control | Service quality varies |
| A faster route | Due diligence is essential |
| Access to specialists | Marketing outcomes are not guaranteed |
| Less operational burden |
Terminology
What is “hybrid publishing”?
The term is used in different ways across the industry — sometimes for author-funded models with selective acceptance and shared royalties, sometimes more loosely. There is no single universal definition, so the label on its own tells you little. Read the actual terms.
Quill & Reed prefers plainer language — an independent publishing studio, providing professional publishing support and acting as a publishing and growth partner — because it describes what the business actually does.
Terminology
What is “vanity publishing”?
The label is often used critically for author-funded arrangements where the commercial value, selection process, rights position or services may be questionable — for example, where acceptance is presented as selective but is really based on payment.
Not every paid publishing service is vanity publishing, and a label is no substitute for evaluation. Look at the actual contract and service terms: what you pay, what you receive, what rights you grant and what happens when you leave.
Side by side
Three routes compared
General tendencies, not rules — individual contracts and services vary.
- Who funds production?
- Traditional: Usually the publisher
- DIY self-publishing: The author
- Quill & Reed / assisted: The author, via packages and quoted extras
- Who selects the book?
- Traditional: The publisher
- DIY self-publishing: The author
- Quill & Reed / assisted: The author chooses; we may decline unsuitable projects
- Author control
- Traditional: Shared, often limited
- DIY self-publishing: Full
- Quill & Reed / assisted: High — the author approves key decisions
- Rights structure
- Traditional: Rights licensed or assigned under contract
- DIY self-publishing: Author retains
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Author retains under the standard model
- Account control
- Traditional: Publisher
- DIY self-publishing: Author
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Author
- Speed
- Traditional: Often slow
- DIY self-publishing: As fast as the author works
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Usually faster than traditional; depends on the book
- Editorial support
- Traditional: Included
- DIY self-publishing: Author arranges
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Coordinated; editing quoted separately
- Cover/design support
- Traditional: Included, publisher-led
- DIY self-publishing: Author arranges
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Included in packages; illustration quoted
- Distribution support
- Traditional: Strong trade relationships
- DIY self-publishing: Self-managed platforms
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Platform and trade distribution setup
- Marketing support
- Traditional: Varies widely
- DIY self-publishing: Author does it
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Varies by package
- Upfront author cost
- Traditional: None for production
- DIY self-publishing: Low to high, by choice
- Quill & Reed / assisted: £1,188–£3,588 over 12 months, plus any extras
- Royalties
- Traditional: Shared under contract
- DIY self-publishing: To the author
- Quill & Reed / assisted: To the author
- Ongoing workload
- Traditional: Moderate, especially promotion
- DIY self-publishing: High
- Quill & Reed / assisted: Reduced; shared by package
| Traditional | DIY self-publishing | Quill & Reed / assisted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who funds production? | Usually the publisher | The author | The author, via packages and quoted extras |
| Who selects the book? | The publisher | The author | The author chooses; we may decline unsuitable projects |
| Author control | Shared, often limited | Full | High — the author approves key decisions |
| Rights structure | Rights licensed or assigned under contract | Author retains | Author retains under the standard model |
| Account control | Publisher | Author | Author |
| Speed | Often slow | As fast as the author works | Usually faster than traditional; depends on the book |
| Editorial support | Included | Author arranges | Coordinated; editing quoted separately |
| Cover/design support | Included, publisher-led | Author arranges | Included in packages; illustration quoted |
| Distribution support | Strong trade relationships | Self-managed platforms | Platform and trade distribution setup |
| Marketing support | Varies widely | Author does it | Varies by package |
| Upfront author cost | None for production | Low to high, by choice | £1,188–£3,588 over 12 months, plus any extras |
| Royalties | Shared under contract | To the author | To the author |
| Ongoing workload | Moderate, especially promotion | High | Reduced; shared by package |
Which may fit?
Which route may suit you
- Traditional may make sense if…
- You strongly want a conventional deal, are prepared for querying and submissions, do not want to fund production, are comfortable licensing rights, and timing matters less.
- DIY may make sense if…
- Your budget is extremely limited, you enjoy managing production, you are technically comfortable, want maximum control and are willing to learn.
- Assisted may make sense if…
- You want to keep control and have professional support, want a clearer or faster route, are prepared to pay for services and do not want to coordinate everything yourself.
If the cheapest possible route matters most, DIY self-publishing may genuinely be the right answer — and our free resources are there to help.
Agents
Do I need a literary agent?
For many traditional publishing routes, agents are important — many larger publishers only consider agented submissions. For independent publishing through Quill & Reed, a literary agent is not required simply to use our services. That does not make agents unnecessary in general.
Changing routes
Moving between routes
- Can self-published authors later go traditional?
- It can happen, and existing publication does not automatically rule it out. Rights history, sales history, edition status and publisher interest can all matter. No one can promise it.
- Can traditionally published authors self-publish?
- Potentially, depending on contractual rights, titles, territories, options and exclusivity. Review your contracts and take appropriate advice.
Questions authors ask
Traditional publishing vs self-publishing: which is better?
Neither is automatically better. It depends on what you value — control, speed, cost, prestige or support.
What is assisted self-publishing?
Staying independent while paying specialists or a company to handle some or all of production.
What is hybrid publishing?
A term used inconsistently. Read the terms of any “hybrid” offer rather than relying on the label.
What is vanity publishing?
A critical label for author-funded arrangements where value, selection or rights may be questionable. Evaluate the actual terms.
Should I pay to publish my book?
Paying for services can be legitimate if you understand exactly what you receive and keep appropriate rights. A traditional publisher should not charge you to publish.
Do I need an agent?
Often for traditional publishing; not to use Quill & Reed’s services.
Can I self-publish professionally?
Yes. Professional editing, design and production are available to independent authors.
Can self-published books get traditional deals later?
Sometimes, but it is never guaranteed.
Who owns rights in traditional publishing?
The author usually owns copyright but licenses or assigns specified rights to the publisher under contract.
Who owns rights when self-publishing?
The author, although commissioned artwork may have separate terms.
How much control does an author have?
Most in DIY, high in assisted models, and shared in traditional publishing.
Related questions
Sources and further checking
Platform rules, rates and settings change. Before relying on a specific figure, check the current terms of the platform or service involved.
- Your book.
- Your copyright.
- Your royalties.
- Your accounts.
- Your audience.
Understand the agreement before you sign it, whoever you choose to publish with.