Self-publishing vs traditional
The real numbers nobody tells you. Use our calculator to see exactly what you would earn.
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Your royalty calculator
Enter your book's expected price and sales to see the difference.
Traditional Publishing
8% royalty rate (industry average)
per book
Publisher owns your rights
1-3 year timeline
99% rejection rate
Self-Publishing (KDP)
70% royalty rate (Kindle ebook)
per book
You own 100% of rights
Live in 30 days
100% acceptance
You would earn
by self-publishing (x more)
With our Starter Package ($399):
Your investment pays back in just sales
Most authors achieve this in their first month
Your calculator numbers will be shared so we can give you a personalised quote.
The complete comparison
| Factor | Traditional | Self-Publishing |
|---|---|---|
| Royalties per book | 8-15% ($0.80-$1.50) | 35-70% ($3.50-$7.00) |
| Who owns rights | Publisher | You — 100%, forever |
| Time to publish | 1-3 years | 30-90 days |
| Acceptance rate | Less than 1% | 100% — you decide |
| Creative control | Publisher decides cover, title, edits | Full control — your choice |
| Film/TV/Audio rights | Usually taken by publisher | You own all adaptation rights |
| Out of print risk | High — publisher can pull it | Never — available forever |
| Cover design | Publisher decides | You choose and approve |
| Book pricing | Publisher sets price | You set your own price |
| Global reach | Limited by publisher deals | Amazon reaches 180+ countries |
| Sequel rights | Often locked in contract | You own all sequel rights |
| Advance payment | $5K-$10K (earned back before royalties) | No advance, but keep ALL profits |
| Marketing support | Minimal for debut authors | Full launch campaign (LaunchPad) |
Famous authors who started self-published
They chose their own path. You can too.
Andy Weir
Self-published "The Martian" on his blog. Later picked up by a publisher. Became a blockbuster Matt Damon movie.
E.L. James
Self-published "Fifty Shades of Grey" as an ebook. Has now sold over 150 million copies worldwide.
Hugh Howey
Self-published "Wool" on Amazon. Turned down traditional deals to keep his rights. Now adapted by Apple TV+.
The numbers
don't lie
Self-publishing gives you more money, more control, and more freedom. Let us help you do it right.