Publishing through an established company that handles editing, design, distribution, and marketing in exchange for a share of your book's revenue.
Traditional publishing is the process of selling your manuscript to a publishing house, which then takes responsibility for editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and (to varying degrees) marketing. In most cases, you need a literary agent to submit your work to publishers on your behalf. The publisher pays you an advance against royalties, meaning you get paid upfront but don't earn additional royalties until your book's sales exceed that advance amount. The publisher owns the rights to your book for a specified period and takes the financial risk of production.
Traditional publishing still offers something no other path can fully replicate: bookstore distribution, industry credibility, and a team of professionals working on your book. But it also means giving up control over timelines, covers, and pricing. Understanding what traditional publishing actually involves helps you decide whether its tradeoffs are right for your goals and your specific book.
Famously rejected by twelve publishers before Bloomsbury took a chance. The debut advance was roughly 1,500 pounds. A reminder that the traditional path can be slow and bruising before it works.
Publishers expect authors to participate actively in marketing, especially debut authors. Build your author platform early. Publishers invest marketing dollars proportional to expected sales, so debuts often get modest support.
Most Big Five publishers don't accept unagented submissions. Query literary agents first. Some small presses do accept direct submissions, but check their guidelines carefully.
From querying agents to your book hitting shelves, traditional publishing typically takes 2 to 4 years. Plan accordingly and keep writing your next book while you wait.
Research three publishers in your genre. For each one, find out whether they accept unagented submissions, what genres they publish, and the name of one book they've published recently that you admire. This gives you a concrete sense of who might be the right home for your manuscript.