Can I Publish The Traditional Way?

Before I answer this question I’ll present a few statistics for your consideration. Currently in the US, there are approx. 50,000 published authors working full-time, with only 20% of these earning enough from their books to pay their bills. In Canada, the percentage is much more frightening with published authors, on average, making less than $10,000 per year - and this is down from $17,000 just two decades ago. I have no data for Canadian writers sustaining themselves with their writing income exclusively, but I have to believe the number is extremely low. Assuming you’re okay with this, I’ll move on.

Traditional publishing is, arguably, the preferred route. After all, you get paid for your work and your company takes care of all the marketing. But if you are a new writer you will have to put in extra work because you don’t know the world of publishing and you’ve yet to establish a reputation for yourself in it. Some of this work includes choosing a marketable genre, having your manuscript content/line-edited throughout the writing process, preparing a strong sample of your work for submission, and writing a strong query letter to accompany it. All of these are necessary and none of these should be done without the services of a professional editor. This considered, the question you may have to ask yourself is, Am I willing to do the work that is required to get published the traditional way?

If you are, then there are three things you need to know.

First, you must identify the most popular genres and pick one to write in. I realize that this may be a little stifling, creatively speaking (e.g. if you’re interested in writing a Western or an Action/Adventure book you are almost guaranteed to be turned down), but the publishing business is just that - a business. If you want to play the publishing game you have to abide by its rules. A killer query letter may get your foot in the door, but the full manuscript has to get past at least one editor before you get into the room. If it doesn’t show promise of sales, you won’t be getting in.

Second, you need to swallow your pride. Once you’ve written your book you’re going to feel very good about yourself, but you have to accept the fact that an editor and, if necessary, a literary agent is going to make mincemeat of your work before a publishing company will even consider laying eyes on it. Remind yourself that it’s nothing personal and that they’re only doing their job. If they didn’t see value in your work they would not be recommending you in the first place.

Third, you need to be patient. It takes a lot of time to turn a stack of sheets in a brown envelope into a shelf of books at your local bookstore. Publishers need to read and reread, edit and re-edit, and even fact-check before artwork and design is even considered. The entire process can take up to two years, but just remember that it’s work that you don’t have to do. 

Getting published is a wonderful achievement and one that should be celebrated. It’s a testament to a great idea that has been wonderfully executed and deemed worthy by those who have invested in you. If you are willing for these things then yes, you can publish the traditional way.