Hybrid self-publish or trad? W&DP launches a useful comparison chart.

Written 12.03.2026 by admin

You’ve completed your manuscript! Congratulations!

Now what?

Get it published, naturally. Hold that book in your hand. See it on Amazon, or even in bookshops.

30 years ago, there was generally only one option; you had to get an agent – and they would get you a publishing deal… But agents were then – and still are – inundated with submissions. So your chances are statistically low.

You do have other options – now you can cut out the gatekeeping agent and the publisher, and you can publish the book yourself.

12 years ago I faced this choice, when I published my first book, The Witchfinder’s Well. Initially I tried to go trad. I sent out lots of query letters – and waited. No emails. No letters. No phone calls…

So it was almost with a sense of relief that I said to myself, “OK I ticked that box. I gave it a try. Now I can move on with a clear conscience, and self-publish.”

And yes, I made mistakes (the cover for example – it pleased me but confused the heck out of book buyers) – but over the next 12 years and 13 books, I learned a lot.

All that learning has gone into my publishing business, supporting authors like me who have decided to self-publish.

But I do understand – there are benefits on both sides of the publishing decision – hybrid/self or trad. So I have pulled together a useful chart setting out the pros and cons of each option.

If you are currently considering which way to go, then this chart gives you clear, straightforward information.

View it now, and decide which opion is best for you.