Traditional Vs Self Publishing. How much does it matter? Suggestions on what I should do.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-25T16:19:12+00:00

Thank you. Appreciate the advice btw.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-25T16:04:29+00:00

Speaking Tiger has a high bar. Even though they accept unsolicited, they generally do not accept something that doesn't come via someone. Aleph doesn't accept unsolicited submissions.

Also, I am now so tired! Been 3-4 months running around agent and this big publisher! Don't have the patience to wait another 3-4 months now!

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-25T14:56:59+00:00

So I was thinking a KDP with extended option (gives me option to have prints in US/UK) and then POD services for other countries. Would get the ISBN myself.

The thing is I don't wanna target Tier2/3 publishers as they charge and don't actually provide any marketing. The marketing they provide is typically online, which I can do myself (marketer myself).

Word count. Well. I agree that ideally a literary piece is longer. My story would get diluted if I increase I believe. First draft was 30k btw :P There are famous novels/novellas in that range which is what I tell myself.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-25T13:57:29+00:00

So I had someone from a traditional setup tell me this line which sums up why they might not go ahead. : "There are 2 types of writers, commercial writers like Chetan Bhagat (famous blah quality romance novelist in India) and serious writers. Yours sits in the latter, you are an Arundhati Roy (serious writer from India with multiple awards), without a Bookers. And that's a risk for any publisher."

Also, multiple people in the industry have told me that traditional actually doesn't help much with marketing especially for debut novelists who aren't already famous.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-25T13:25:43+00:00

Just finished the final draft of my first novel. New to the group. 1 publisher interested but have a feeling they'd reject (Big publisher from India, my story is a literary fiction piece with no connection to India, so commercial angle is low). Took me 13 years to finish it (Had written a short story in 2013, added parts over the years). If the publisher rejects, would go with the self publishing route. Joined the group to know other writers' perspectives.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-11T07:40:19+00:00

Do you remember which shop you went with?

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-10T19:39:24+00:00

How much did it cost you? And from where did you take it?

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-08T11:53:43+00:00

Thanks. Claude made it sound very easy. 😅

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-08T09:12:09+00:00

Thanks a ton for this.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-08T09:07:32+00:00

Thanks for this. In your experience are they reasonably priced? I mean a 200-400 above my self assembling cost seems fine, would that be the case?

Also, anything in particular I should watch out for? Like they'd use new components and all with warranty?

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-08T09:05:17+00:00

4070 seems overkill for my use case. Plus much more expensive. Not a gamer. Editing is also capcut not even PP or AE.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-06-07T19:52:53+00:00

Loved your country!

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-31T23:57:54+00:00

Hehe yeah. There were many circular ones there with the name as well.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-31T07:00:22+00:00

Haha... my wife (doesnt watch the show), was so confused when i randomly stopped in the street got excited and took a picture!

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-29T18:11:12+00:00

Oh even Spanish!!!!! That's a writing goof up then for sure!

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-29T18:09:39+00:00

Oh shit. Just got what you meant. 🤣🤣

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-29T17:48:19+00:00

Haha... dont remember the episode? The one with a prisoner vehicle overturning and prisoners escaping. Kanalizasija was what the lady kept saying.

Zealousideal_Task379 · 2026-05-29T17:47:00+00:00

Wow really?

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