Key Takeaways
- There are three main routes to publication—traditional, small/indie press, and self-publishing—each with different timelines and expectations.
- Publishing excerpts in literary journals can help you build readership and credibility before pitching a full manuscript.
- Plan for a slower industry pace: a traditional deal can take 2–5 years from submission to bookstore shelf.
- Match your goals and budget to the path that best supports your long-term writing career.
When I was a child, I assumed a “real writer” was someone already published. Age—and Emily Dickinson—taught me otherwise. Dickinson wrote nearly 1,800 poems, stitched them into handmade fascicles, and left them in a drawer. Publication was never her measure of worth.
After my mother passed away, I found stacks of journals and loose-leaf pages filled with poems, memoir, and travelogues. I hadn’t known she—or my grandmother before her—had written so much. They practised the craft without seeking an audience. Most of us, however, do want our work to meet readers, and that means deciding how to publish once the manuscript is truly finished.
Finished means you’ve revised, shared the draft with early readers or an editor for critique, revised again (and again), and reached the point where outside eyes will move the project forward rather than back to square one.
Traditional Publishing
“Traditional” refers to the largest commercial houses—Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster—plus their many imprints. You’ll need a literary agent to approach them, and patience: even after an offer, a two-year production schedule is common.
Pros: Wide bookstore distribution, professional marketing teams, advance royalties.
Cons: Highly competitive; less creative control; long timelines.
Small & University Presses
Independent presses and university publishers often accept unagented submissions, run annual contests, and focus on niche or literary work. Because lists are smaller, your book can receive close editorial attention, though marketing budgets vary.
Research presses that align with your theme or genre, and study their recent catalogs or Big Five & Indie breakdown to find the right fit.
Publishing in Literary Journals
For poets, short-story writers, or memoirists who can excerpt, journals are both a credential and a community gateway. Study acknowledgment pages of authors you admire to see where their early pieces appeared. Simultaneous submissions are common, but expect 6–8 months for a response—and many rejections. Treat it as groundwork, not a verdict on your talent.
Contests & Awards
Some presses select debut titles through contest fees that fund the prize. Winning can fast-track your manuscript, but always vet the press’s reputation and contract terms.
Self-Publishing
If control and speed outweigh prestige, self-publishing lets you choose cover design, launch date, and pricing. Quality still matters: invest in professional line editing and cover design to compete with traditionally published books. Expect to shoulder all marketing and distribution tasks yourself.
Timelines & Next Steps
The industry moves slowly. Consider whether this manuscript is the first step in a long writing life or a single passion project. Your answer may steer you toward a patient search for an agent, a nimble small press, or a DIY launch.
UNESCO estimates that 2.2 million books are published worldwide each year—you’re in good company. Your task is to carve a space on the universal bookshelf and forge a bond with readers who will value your gift.
