Traditional publishing, self-publishing, crowdfunding, outsourcing, ghostwriting… and the list goes on. Writers today have more options for where to head with their manuscripts once the task of writing is finally done. The rise of e-books since the introduction of smartphones and e-readers has given authors unprecedented accessibility to self-publishing services. The industry has lent itself nicely to knocking over gatekeepers in traditional publishing, and e-book sales have risen to almost 30-35% of e-books sold in the US in direct correlation. While any change naturally brings pros and cons, it’s important to observe all that this new direction means for creatives.

Children’s book writers, for instance, have a particularly interesting set of hurdles within this self-publishing boom. The number of available resources at writers’ fingertips is glorious, but the accessibility comes wearing its own “Beware” sign. Looking for illustrators, for example, is as simple as a quick Google for the self-publishing author – that is, a quick Google which leads to thousands upon thousands of artists that can be tedious and time-consuming to pick through. While this can be a boon to discerning creatives, it can leave others feeling just out of reach of the right choice. But that’s not to say it’s all doom and gloom. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter was originally self-published with black and white illustrations and is still one of the “most beloved children’s books of all time.”

Those in the publishing industry warn that an inundation of resources isn’t the only strength that is also a point of contention for those looking to go the non-traditional route. One literary agent notes that picture book authors often fall into the category of neglecting to make a book entertaining and instead favors teaching a lesson to the reader. The resulting manuscript comes off unbalanced without the input of a second set of eyes that has access to resources like market research. The writer may think their manuscript is important for a young audience to understand, but professionals warn that a perceived “gap” in the market may, instead, be the author unwittingly pushing their personal/political viewpoints onto an audience not yet ready to discern the message. Without an editor or publishing team, it’s difficult to know where the manuscript stands as it’s published. What could have been a successful story may fall short of selling expectations, a result which may be avoidable with a few revisions.

Still, self-publishing allows creatives to break rules and push boundaries to revolutionize genres. The medium has allowed for an increase in diverse representation and own voices, which traditional publishers have historically fallen short of fostering. Books that otherwise would have never reached a wider audience have flourished in self-publishing; many even being picked up by publishers which originally passed the work over.

Those considering self-publishing shouldn’t be afraid to dive in, but writers must allow their work to be looked at critically. Even the most successful self-published works have benefitted from the watchful eye of a discerning audience. Self-published work has flooded the market to a staggering degree, but there’s no denying that the best work rises to a new level that even traditionally published authors would balk at if the numbers weren’t there to prove the case.

The Rise of Self-Publishing