Which Model is Best | Book Retreat

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Getting Published
Which Model is Best For You?

It's best to understand the publishing landscape before you begin the journey of writing and promoting your book. Traditional publishing is often seen as the gold standard, but it’s not the only option. Fewer than 10% of authors make significant money from book sales alone, so true value lies in how your book amplifies your business, personal brand, and it’s impact on the world. Explore the 3 different publishing models to determine which one best meets the goals you have for your book.

Which Model is Best for Me?

Getting Published
Which Model is Best For You?

Co-Publishing

Co-publishing strikes a balance between traditional and self-publishing, offering authors a middle ground. In this model, while you invest in the publishing costs, you enjoy higher profit margins per book, retain your rights, and have significant control over marketing and distribution. It's a partnership where risks are shared, and so are the rewards. However, this model requires you to be more involved in the publishing process, from marketing to selling to retailers, which might be a disadvantage for those authors who are looking for a hands-off approach.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing, represented by the Big Five New York-based publishers—Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster—remains a coveted path for many authors. These giants control a significant portion of the U.S. book market, offering the prestige of association and the benefit of their vast distribution networks. Opting for traditional publishing means the publisher covers the costs of publishing and marketing, albeit at the expense of lower profits per book for the author and less creative control. This route is ideal for authors who seek the recognition and resources that come with established industry players but it requires a willingness to navigate the competitive selection process and to collaborate within the publishers' frameworks. Other publishing paths are equally valid.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing is where you have complete control. Authors take on the roles of writer, publisher, and marketer, bearing all costs but also keeping all profits. This model offers the highest level of creative freedom and financial return per book, making it ideal for entrepreneurs and authors looking to build or enhance their personal brand. But it also demands a significant investment of time and resources into marketing and distribution. While some in the industry used to view self-publishing with skepticism, it's become a powerful and profitable option for writers who seek autonomy and direct engagement with their audience.

	Traditional	Co-Publishing	Self-Publishing
Distribution	Yes	Yes	Yes
Book Rights	Publisher licenses	Author owns	Author owns
Publishing Expenses	Publisher covers	Author covers	Author covers
Marketing Expenses	Author covers	Author covers	Author covers
Signing Bonus	Most of the time	None	None
Royalties	1%-10% of sales price, paid every six months	10%-50% of sales price, paid every six months	100% of the profit immediately upon sale
When to Use	When you don't have the money to pay for editing, publishing, and marketing expenses. When you want an advance. When you don’t want to assume all the financial risk for the creation of the book. When you’re OK with lower up-front costs, but lower long-term profit because of lower royalties.	When you have the money to pay for marketing and publishing expenses, but want to maximize distribution. When you can forego money up front in order to make more money on each book.	When you have a limited budget. When you're just building your platform. When you can’t find a traditional publisher. When you want to maximize your revenue on each book. When you want to keep the rights to your book.
Eligible to Become a Bestseller	Yes	Yes	No

Which Publishing
Model is Best for You?

Are You...

Starting to build a profile?
Looking to attract an audience?
Searching for a more modest commitment?
Want the flexibility of print-on-demand?
Self Publishing
Self publishing has lost its stigma and has great online distribution via Amazon. It also allows you to scale supply to demand with a minimal up-front cost.
Get Help Writing Your Book
If you’re not dead-set on a Big 5 Publisher, but you are dead-set on Best Seller Success and full scale promotion. Cranberry Press is your best option.

Are You...

Already well known?
With a sizeable audience?
A solid literary agent?
Serious about making the NYT’s Best Seller List?
Traditional Publishing
or possibly Co-Publishing will depend on how much financial investment you’re willing to make and how much control you want to keep.
Co-Publishing with Us
If you’re not dead-set on a Big 5 Publisher, but you are dead-set on Best Seller Success and full scale promotion. Cranberry Press is your best option.

Are You...

Looking to your raise your profile to the next level?
With a great network?
An ability to take on an 18 month commitment?
Serious about making your book a Best-Seller
Co-Publishing
You won’t get the attention or effort you’ll need from a traditional publisher. A self-publishing doesn’t provide the distribution you’ll need to make the profile raising difference you seek.`,
Co-Publishing with Us
Lots of publishers can and will co-publish with you, but none as book promotion savvy or as committed to bridging the book success to business success gap.

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