Can I self-publish as an eBook and then later approach a publisher for paperback?

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Yes. You can self-publish an ebook first and approach a publisher later, and self-publishing does not close the door. Publishers want proof that readers want your book, and a self-published book with real sales is that proof. Here is why, and why you may decide you don’t want a publisher at all.

Will self-publishing first hurt my chances with a publisher?

No. This is a reader question I get a lot: “Can I self-publish as an ebook and then later approach a publisher for a paperback?” Many authors self-publish first and then license the rights to a recognized publishing house. Does self-publishing hurt your chances? No.

I listened to a lot of podcasts and read a lot of books on this, and it became clear that self-publishing is a great starting point. It teaches you how a book comes together and puts you in touch with your audience. I have never wanted to move to traditional publishing, partly because of the horror stories from authors who did and then went the self-publishing route. I compare the money side in which is cheaper, traditional or self-published books.

Many major publishers don’t intend to promote your book beyond a short push, so you end up doing the marketing yourself anyway. To see how traditional, hybrid and self-publishing compare, read the 3 different types of publishing with their pros and cons.

Will ordering a KDP proof tie my book to Amazon or stop a publisher?

KDP says you can order proof copies for a book in Draft status once you have approved it in Print Previewer (KDP: order a proof or author copy). It describes a proof as a test copy to review before you submit the book for publication, with a “Not for Resale” watermark and a barcode with no ISBN (KDP: proof and author copies). You can also still update the ISBN while the book is a draft (KDP: change or view your ISBN).

My view, not KDP’s: a proof of a draft is not a published book, because nothing goes on sale until you click Publish, and you can delete the draft later. If an agent asks, say you printed a test copy for yourself. Whether a publisher counts anything as published is a question for the agent and the contract, not for KDP.

Why is it hard to convince a publisher?

Publishers accept very few books, and gatekeepers aren’t great at telling good from poor. Stephen King’s first novel Carrie was rejected by 30 publishers before it was accepted. And publishers don’t want to take a chance on a book unless they know it will make money. They want to see a following. But how do you build a following with no published book?

Once you self-publish an ebook, paperback or audiobook, you show demand. They see you are selling books. Then you can sell rights, or use a publisher for additional books in the series. They will generally wait to see that it is working, so build a following first. Some publishers may even approach you. Self-publishing first doesn’t shut any doors. Getting noticed comes down to showing readers want your book.

What should I watch for if a publisher makes an offer?

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) advises licensing rights selectively rather than handing over everything:

1. License non-exclusively where you can.
2. Limit each license by format, territory and term. Buyers usually ask for worldwide ebook, audio and print rights, so push back on that scope.
3. Watch for out-of-print clauses, non-compete clauses and rights a publisher takes but never uses, such as audio.
4. Get clarity on what control you give up (cover, title, distribution, marketing, sales data), look for a rights reversion clause, and have a literary lawyer review the contract.

If the offer comes from a small press and you are deciding whether to take it, I weigh it in should I take a small press offer or self-publish.

Do I need a literary agent to approach a publisher?

I have not found a rule that says you must. The Alliance of Independent Authors’ hybrid author guide (30-Jan-23) says its roadmap advises looking into literary agents and publishers that fit your genre and writing style, and one author in it signed her first contract without an agent. Either way, my advice matches the rights list above: have a literary lawyer or an agent you trust read the contract before you sign.

Should I stay independent?

You may prefer to. When a publisher owns the rights, it controls your promotions and pricing, and your royalty is a smaller share of each sale. KDP’s 70% option pays 70% of the list price less delivery costs in the territories where it applies (KDP). Traditional royalty rates vary by contract, so compare the actual numbers in any offer rather than relying on a general figure. Some authors even buy their rights back.

Do I have to publish the ebook first?

No. You also don’t have to do ebook first and paper later. You can publish all formats at once: ebook and paperback on KDP, paperback and hardcover on IngramSpark, and an audiobook through ACX. Reach as big an audience as possible. The more money comes in, the better the books you can produce, and the more you show publishers you are worth following. A blog and a YouTube channel also help build the popularity that makes people want your books. If you are worried self-publishing will hold you back, read does self-publishing hurt your chances to become popular.

Has a publisher ever turned you down because you self-published? Or have you decided traditional publishing isn’t for you? Tell me in the comments.

If you want to talk through your options for your own book, book a free 25-minute discovery call.

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