Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

In traditional publishing, an author secures a literary agent (who typically takes 15% commission), the agent sells the manuscript to a publishing house, the house pays an advance against royalties (often $5,000–$50,000 for debut literary fiction), and the publisher handles editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and marketing. Royalty rates are typically 10-15% of list price for hardcover and 25% of net for ebooks. The process from signed contract to bookstore shelf usually takes 18-24 months.