Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: Who’s Really Winning in Romance?

The publishing landscape has evolved, offering authors multiple avenues to share their work. In the realm of romance, both traditional publishing and self-publishing have their merits and challenges. But is it traditional vs self-publishing?

Traditional Publishing

Pros:

• Established Distribution: Access to wider distribution channels and physical bookstores.

• Professional Support: Teams for editing, design, and marketing.

• Advance Payments: Potential upfront payments against future royalties.

Cons:

• Lower Royalties: Authors typically earn a smaller percentage per sale. Advances may seem nice, however, the royalties are often lower than those in self-publishing.

• Lengthy Process: Time from manuscript acceptance to publication can span years.

• Limited Creative Control: Publishers may have the final say on edits, covers, and marketing strategies.

Self-Publishing

Pros:

• Higher Profits: If books are bought directly from the author, they can earn between 35-70% per sale, retaining more profits.

• Creative Autonomy: Full control over content, design, and marketing decisions.

• Faster Time-to-Market: Ability to publish immediately upon manuscript completion.

Cons:

• Upfront Costs: Expenses for editing, design, and marketing fall on the author.

• Marketing Challenges: Without a publisher's backing, authors must proactively promote their work.

• Variable Quality Perception: Some readers may perceive self-published works as less polished.

The Truth About Hybrid Publishing in 2025, by Kotobee (Jul 31st 2022)

Earnings Comparison

• Self-Published Authors:

  According to the Authors Guild's 2023 survey, full-time self-published authors had a median income of $12,800 from book sales in 2022, with a total median income of $15,000 from all author-related activities. 

  
  

• Traditionally Published Authors:

  The same Authors Guild survey reported that full-time traditionally published authors had a median income of $12,400 from book sales in 2022. 

  ​The Authors Guild

Romance Genre-Specific Insights

Romance authors have experienced significant income growth. A survey indicated that between 2009 and 2014, their median income surged by 73%, contrasting with a 42% decline for authors in other genres. (​Jane Friedman)

The romance genre accounts for approximately 40% of self-published books on Amazon, highlighting its dominance in the self-publishing market. ​(Jericho Writers)

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So... traditional vs. self-publishing?

Romance stands out as a genre where both publishing routes thrive. The NOLA Library observes, "Romance is a rare genre that both tops traditional publishing sales and has recently seen significant income growth for self-published authors."

Notably, many romance authors adopt a hybrid approach, leveraging the strengths of both models to maximise reach and revenue.

The decision between traditional and self-publishing hinges on individual goals, resources, and preferences. In the dynamic world of romance publishing, both avenues offer viable paths to success, with the genre's passionate readership supporting diverse publishing choices.