The traditional publishing method pays you but takes over all the control. whereas Self-publishing gives you full control over everything but you need to invest.

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing in the Middle East: Pros and Cons

Book publishing is a big dream for many aspiring writers out there. Some just wanted to share some stories, while others wanted to spread their knowledge and inspire people.

But publishing a book is not that easy. Surprisingly, as per a report, around 95% of books submitted to publishers are rejected. 

But now, the world has evolved. Now, writers have two options when it comes to book publishing,

"Traditional Publishing & Self-Publishing"

So, if you are one of those writers who want to achieve their dreams of publishing a book, then you have to choose one option. 

I know this is the most common question that will pop up in the mind of any writer. But don't worry, you will get your answer today.

In this blog, we will be comparing the pros and cons of these two publishing methods to help you decide which one suits you best. So, grab your seat and get ready to embark on a publishing journey with us.  

Now, let us start by first understanding what traditional publishing really means. 

So, in traditional publishing, the writer signs a contract with a publishing agency in the Middle East for publishing their books. The writer is paid for their work while the agency takes on the responsibility of printing, marketing, and selling the book. 

Some well-known publishers in the Middle East include:

Now, let us talk about some definite advantages of going to the traditional publishing option.

When you are working with a traditional publishing agency, you are getting help from professionals who have already been a part of this industry for many years.

They got all the latest trends and know-how of the publishing world. And help you in promoting and selling your book.

 that not only help with publishing but writing, too.

Traditional publishing agencies always have connections with libraries and bookstores across the Middle East to market your book. So they can better distribute it both nationally and internationally.

You know what's the best part about them? You have to pay nothing for anything. 

The publishing agency will pay you for your book. 

You can either receive a lump sum amount or negotiate a fair share of the sales. This completely depends on you and the publishing agency.

You know, getting accepted by a traditional publisher in the Middle East is not an easy task. That's why if you get accepted, it brings prestige to you and your book.

So, it's kind of like you have passed a definite quality check. 

I know the pros are pretty good and tempting, right? However, before you make up your mind, let's discuss its drawbacks. 

Just as I told you earlier, over 95% of books get rejected. So, it's not easy to convince the publishers to take your book in. You have to wait months or even years to hear back from them.

You are kind of selling your book to them and giving them autonomy to make decisions. Thus, once you sign the contract with them, you will have less or no control over your books.

They can change the title and design the cover page, and can even ask you for amendments. At the same time, you cannot have any say in that.

I know you don't really have to pay for anything to these professionals. But you will not get all the profit from your book either. The common royalty rate for most of the publishing houses is around 10-15 %

So, even if your book is a bestseller and returns a profit in millions. You will still get a low share of the amount from that. 

Now, coming back to self-publishing. Let us first understand what it means. 

So, self-publishing is basically when the author publishes their book on their own without hiring a proper 

 or book publishing agency in the Middle East.

There are many amazing platforms, like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or a local printing press, that you can use to publish your book. 

So, let's take a look at its pros and cons. 

Here are some amazing benefits of choosing self-publishing. 

So, one of the best benefits of self-publishing is to get all the control over everything. From cover page designing to profit-making, you will owe everything. 

You will choose where and how to sell your book. 

In self-publishing, you don't have to wait for months or years for the final approval. But once your book is ready and you are done writing. You can simply publish it online with a simple click. And can even print copies for distribution. 

Well, you don't have anyone here to share your earnings with. So, you get to keep all of the profit from your book sales. 

You know, some platforms even give you as high as 70% of the total book price. 

Online platforms like Amazon KDP can give you access to not just local but international audiences. 

So, no matter where you are publishing your book, posting it online will increase its reach and take it to a global audience. 

Here are the disadvantages of using self-publishing as your option.

The self-publishing option is comparatively expensive, as here you will have to bear all the costs of book publishing. 

No one is going to pay you for writing. On the contrary, you will have to pay for editing, designing, and even printing. 

As you are responsible for everything from top to bottom. That means you need lots of time and effort to make your book a hit.

Most of the bookstores in the Middle East prefer to book with known publishers and might have signed a contract with them, too.

So, your self-publishing book might be hard to get on these shelves and make it available physically for your audience.

Even if you write a good book, without proper marketing and branding, you will not get a good response. So, if you are not good at it, this will greatly affect the sales of your book. 

Honestly, it depends on your budget, time, and preferences. So, you now know all the key pros and cons of both options. So, choose the one that suits you and your requirements best.

In a nutshell, publishing your very own book in the Middle East is undoubtedly a big achievement. But whether to choose a traditional or self-publishing method is still a big question mark for many.

Both of these methods have their pros and cons. But what really matters is your passion for writing and your commitment to making a difference through it. 

So, read these pros and cons and choose the best option for you that suits your preferences. I am sure that choosing the right option won't be a problem for you anymore. 

Happy Writing! Wish you a successful writing journey. 

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