Given a Choice: Small Press, Large Publisher, or Self Publish?

In Discussion by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka, Editor-in-Chief

question mark surveyToday’s feature story “Going Small to Make it Big” looks at some of the advantages of small press publishing, which can include increased personal attention, more flexible program, higher priority for marketing within the house, and the ability to have more direct influence on the publishing process.

Yet, there are some advantages to large press publishing, not the least of which is the potential for a larger advance, broader distribution, wider foreign rights sales, increased marketing and review coverage.

And you have an entire community of authors who have sworn-off ever working with a publisher, believing they can have a better experience by taking control of the entire process on their own by self-publishing.

Of course, as a result of changes in the industry the gap between all three is closing every day.

So tell us, in 2013, where do you stand on the question of small press vs. large publisher vs. self-publishing. Given the choice of all three, what is your preference? And please explain why you chose what you did in the comments below.

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About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.