Alternatives To Traditional Publishing

When it comes to publishing your book, the competition is fiercer than ever. There are tens of millions of books available on Amazon, and to get a traditional publisher even to consider your work these days is more about being in the right place at the right time than anything else.

Simply writing a good book just isn’t good enough. Traditional publishers are rarely willing to take risks, so if you are a previously unheard of author, no matter how brilliant or unique your work is, landing a traditional publishing contract is a mammoth challenge.

That’s not to say that any writer who hasn’t already found themselves a publisher should give up and find a new passion or career. In fact, nowadays, because book publishing has become so much more accessible, there are more reasons than ever to get motivated to get your book finished. You may not get a big publishing house to take it on, but if you are willing to put the work in yourself, you are guaranteed to see it in print.

So if you are ready to get your book out there, what are the alternatives to traditional publishing you can try? Here are some other options:

Self -Publishing

The most obvious alternative is self-publishing. Anyone can do it, and this way you can throw your hat into the ring. The key to self-publishing is having a solid marketing strategy before you begin. The more effort you put into promoting your book, the more successful it is likely to be.

Blogging

Why not start your blog, build up a following and release your book from your platform? It may not be the most successful money maker but if a useful way to get a readership, get noticed and develop your very own fanbase too.

Chapter releases via a magazine

There are plenty of magazines either digital or in print that are actively looking for story submissions. The competition is still present but much less so than trying to find a traditional publisher. Start by submitting short stories, and if your work gets accepted, you could approach the editor about releasing a chapter of your book via their platform each week.

Make a movie

Why not turn your book into a Hollywood blockbuster! If you’ve written a brilliant story, you could consider developing it into a script and seeing if you can see it turned into a movie as well. Your book doesn’t have to be a bestseller to catch the eye of a producer or scriptwriter, so this is indeed an option worth some thought!

Whichever route you chose to publish your book is going to have its challenges. However,  it's reassuring to know that traditional book publishing isn’t the only way. So get creative, start thinking outside the box and see if you can find an alternative to traditional publishing that will make your book a roaring success!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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