The two terms get used as if they mean the same thing, and often they do. But when you are deciding how to publish your book, the difference between them is worth understanding, because the real question underneath is simpler: who owns what, who pays, and who is in control?
What people usually mean by each term
Self-publishing means you take on the role of publisher yourself. You commission the editing, the cover and the interior, you buy or provide the ISBN, you set up the retailer accounts, and you decide the price and the launch plan. You keep the rights and you receive the royalties directly. You also carry the cost and the risk.
Independent publishing is used in two ways. Many authors use it as a friendlier word for self-publishing, often with a flavour of "doing it properly, under my own imprint". It is also used for small independent publishing houses, which acquire books much as a larger traditional publisher does, but on a smaller scale.
So when someone says "independent", it is worth asking which of the two they mean.
The routes side by side
| Aspect | Traditional or small press | Self-publishing | Self-publishing with a services partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides to publish? | The publisher accepts or declines your book | You do | You do (a good partner will also tell you honestly if the book is ready) |
| Who pays for production? | Usually the publisher | You | You |
| Who holds the rights? | Usually licensed to the publisher for a period | You | You |
| Who is paid by the retailer? | The publisher, who pays you a share | You | You |
| Who controls the cover, price and timing? | Largely the publisher | You | You, with advice |
Where it goes wrong
The risk is not in choosing self-publishing. It is in services that blur the lines. Before you sign anything with anyone, ask:
- Who owns the rights to my book, and is that written down?
- Whose name is on the retailer accounts? If the accounts belong to the service, the royalties and the sales data belong to them first.
- Who receives my royalties, and how often?
- What happens if I want to leave? Can you take your files and your listings with you?
- What exactly am I paying for, and is there anything I am paying for that the book does not need?
What it costs, and who carries the risk
Whichever route you choose, somebody pays for editing, design, printing and promotion. In traditional publishing, the publisher usually carries those costs and keeps a share of the income in return. When you publish independently, you pay for the work you commission, and you keep the income. Neither is free. The question is where the money and the risk sit.
Before you commit to anyone, ask for a plain list of what you will pay for, what you will receive, and what you will own at the end.
A quick test for any publishing offer
If someone says they will publish your book, ask three things:
- Whose accounts will the book be sold from? Yours, or theirs?
- Who is named as the publisher in the book's listing? This depends on whose ISBN is used. Our guide to ISBNs explains why it matters.
- Can I see the platform reports myself? Direct access to your sales and royalty reports tells you the money is reaching you.
For a closer look at the two main platforms, read KDP or IngramSpark: which should you use, or both?
Common questions
Do I need an agent to self-publish? No. You can publish independently without one. Agents matter mainly if you want a traditional publishing deal.
Will bookshops stock my book? They may, but they decide for themselves. Wide distribution, such as through IngramSpark, makes your book available for bookshops and libraries to order. It does not oblige anyone to stock it.
Can I still approach a traditional publisher later? Because you have kept your rights, you are free to. Publishers will make their own judgement of the book.
Do I need my own imprint? No, but it can look more professional, and it means your own name, not a platform's or a service's, appears as the publisher. See ISBNs in the UK for how the publisher name is decided.
How we do it at Fable Studio
Fable Studio is a publisher and publishing services company. Your book is published through your own Amazon KDP and IngramSpark accounts, in your name, so retailers pay your royalties directly to you, and you keep all rights in your book. You can use an ISBN registered to your own imprint, or ours. We do the work of a publishing team, and you stay the author.
Choosing for your book
If you want a traditional deal and are prepared to submit to agents and publishers and wait, that route still exists. If you want control, speed and your royalties, self-publishing with a good team around you is a strong choice. Whichever you pick, the five questions above will protect you.
Not sure which route suits your book? A free book review gives you our feedback on your manuscript, and there is no obligation to go further.
Want to know where your book stands?
Submit your manuscript for a free book review: the whole book, or at least the first three chapters. We'll read it and send you our feedback. There's no obligation.