When people think of traditional publishing, they usually envision one of the Big Five publishers, with executives in suits calling the shots from their skyscraper corner offices (basically Walter Hobbs in Elf).

The “Big Five” publishers (Penguin/Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan) see annual revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars, and until recent years, they were basically an author’s only shot at success.

Of course today, there’s the option to self-publish your book via a major retail platform (like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing), but many authors still aspire to work with a reputable publishing company.

Small and independent publishers offer writers an alternative to both the hard-to-get Big Five deals and the often headache-inducing process of self-publishing.

What Is Independent Publishing?

An independent (or “indie”) publisher is a traditional publisher that is not part of a large corporation or conglomerate, like the Big Five.

A legitimate indie publisher will offer free editing services and assistance in other areas, such as design and marketing. Many do not offer advances, but do pay more generous royalties than larger publishers.

They also may or may not require a literary agent to submit on your behalf, but they always have a submissions review process. (In other words, they’re selective and will only publish books that meet their standards. If a publisher offers to publish your manuscript in exchange for a fee, that’s a vanity press.)

Many indie publishers are also small presses, which are defined in the US as publishers with annual sales of less than $50 million, or those that publish an average of 10 or fewer titles each year.

Check out our other post to learn more about the different types of publishing, including the differences between small presses, self-publishing, and vanity presses.

Pros of Independent Publishing

So what are the benefits of working with an independent publisher, as opposed to going the Big-Five or self-publishing routes?

Here are 3 of the biggest perks:

Free Publishing Services

With independent publishing, you’ll get all the perks of traditional publishing to help you through the process. This includes a professional editor, cover and layout designer, and even marketing specialists to help you promote your book before and after its release.

This is opposed to self-publishing, where’d you be on your own when it comes to finding and hiring a trained editor, recruiting design experts, and marketing your book.

Marketing Reach

If you’re working with a reputable indie publisher, they likely have a decent following (or could even be very well known), which means they have a platform for marketing and selling your book.

You could do very well with self-publishing, but it takes a lot of work to promote a book on your own, and it could certainly help to have a reputable company’s network on your side.

More Flexible Royalty Structures

Independent publishers have the power to set their own royalty rates, whereas the Big Five and other major publishers have more rigid structures, usually offering their authors no more than 15% royalties.

Many independent publishers offer much higher royalties than major publishers. TCK Publishing, for example, splits all royalties 50/50 with our authors.

Cons

As with anything, there are trade-offs when it comes to choosing an indie publisher over other options:

Lower Royalties than Self-Publishing

The royalties you can earn with an indie publisher will probably be lower than with self-publishing. Amazon offers 70% royalties, but again, you’ll need to consider the fact that you’ll be spending your own money on an editor, designer, and any other services you need.

Less Prominence Than the Big Five

Independent publishing may also come with a perception of less “prestige” than you’d get with a Big Five, which virtually everyone has heard of.

However, don’t assume that a deal with a Big Five publisher automatically translates to successful sales.

Many large, traditional publishers have extensive networks for marketing and promotion, but they also have lots of titles to manage, and will only do so much for yours. Think about it: publishers like Simon & Schuster publish thousands of titles each year, but how many have you even heard of? Not every book published (even by the Big Five) can make it into stores.

If you’re an author and want your book to succeed, you need to be proactive about marketing your book, no matter who your publisher is.

What Does Independently Published Mean on Amazon?

Amazon is not an independent publisher, but rather allows writers to self-publish their books via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). That means you can upload your book and make it available for sale directly, without an actual publisher.

Learn more about the differences between traditional vs. self-publishing, including the pros and cons of each.

How Much Do Independent Publishers Pay Authors?

Because independent publishers can come in all shapes and sizes, the royalties they offer writers tend to vary widely.

Whereas royalties from very large, traditional publishers like the Big Five tend to max out around 15%, many small, indie publishers offer royalties of up to 40–60%. But again, these rates can vary greatly, so always be sure to review all contracts carefully before signing any deals, and make sure you’re clear on how, how much, and when you’ll be paid.

TCK Publishing Is Open for Submissions!

If you’re the author of an outstanding nonfiction or fiction manuscript and looking to work with a reputable independent publisher, TCK Publishing may be the right fit for you!

We’re currently open for both nonfiction and fiction submissions. You can review our submission guidelines or learn more about us on our FAQ page.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• Complete Guide to Small Press Publishing: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Small Presses for Writers
• Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Success
• The Effects of COVID-19 on the Publishing Industry: The Start of a New Era?
• What is Hybrid Publishing and Why You Should Choose It