Should You Self-Publish or Query Agents? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

Oct 8
4 min read

You’ve written and revised your manuscript. You’ve celebrated, stepped away, maybe even handed it off to beta readers. Now a new question looms over your writing desk:

Should you self-publish or query agents?

For many writers, the choice seems to come down to two paths: self-publishing or traditional publishing. One involves taking matters into your own hands, while the other requires securing an agent who can pitch your work to a publishing house. Both can be exciting. Both can be intimidating. And both have the potential to help you connect with readers in meaningful ways.

But which one is right for you?

Instead of looking for a one-size-fits-all answer, let’s walk through some guiding questions I ask clients that can help you make the best decision for your book and your goals.

What Are Your Goals for This Book?

The first step in deciding if you should self-publish or query agents is clarifying your goals.

Some writers are motivated by the dream of walking into a bookstore and seeing their book on the shelf. Others simply want to make their story available to friends, family, and a niche community of readers. Some are thinking long-term, such as building a career as a writer, while others see this project as a personal milestone.

Traditional publishing often appeals to those who want the prestige of being backed by a major house, who dream of reviews in trade journals, or who want the credibility of having their work “vetted” by an industry gatekeeper.

Self-publishing is often the best fit for writers who want to release their book on their own timeline, maintain creative control, or write for a specific audience that traditional publishers may not prioritize.

Knowing what you hope to achieve helps clarify which road might carry you closer to your vision.

How Much Creative Control Do You Want?

When you sign with a traditional publisher, you’re entering a partnership. They may have input on your title, cover design, marketing strategy, and even the content of your book. While you will have editors and designers working to make your book the best it can be, you’ll also have to compromise.

Some writers thrive in this collaborative environment. They welcome the chance to learn from industry experts and don’t mind adjusting their vision in exchange for professional support.

Other writers feel strongly about every detail—the design, the voice, the way their story is presented to the world. For them, self-publishing offers the freedom to stay true to their vision. From the cover art to the typeface, you call the shots. Of course, this means more responsibility. But for many, the trade-off is worth it.

How Patient Are You Willing to Be?

Traditional publishing is often a long game. First, you’ll need to write a query letter, a synopsis, and in some cases, a book proposal. Then comes the process of pitching agents, waiting for responses, and possibly revising your manuscript or query materials multiple times.

And even if you secure representation, your agent still needs to pitch publishers. If a house accepts your book, it could take another 12-24 months before it’s released.

Self-publishing, on the other hand, allows you to control the timeline. Once your manuscript is edited and your book is formatted and designed, you can publish in weeks or months, not years.

Ask yourself: Do you have the patience to wait and pursue the traditional route, knowing it could take years? Or does the idea of readers holding your book this year energize you more?

How Comfortable Are You With Marketing?

Here’s a reality that surprises a lot of writers: no matter which path you choose, you will need to market your own book.

With a few very rare exceptions, traditional publishers no longer offer the kind of hands-on promotion most writers imagine, unless, of course, you’re already a celebrity or a guaranteed bestseller. Most authors are responsible for their own platforms, outreach, and engagement with readers.

That said, traditional publishers do have built-in advantages: distribution to bookstores, connections to reviewers, and established systems for publicity.

In self-publishing, the marketing is entirely up to you. From building an author website to running ads to posting on social media, your visibility depends on the work you put into it, or the experts you hire to help (hi, I’m one of them).

What Resources Do You Have Right Now?

Finally, ask yourself what resources you have—financial, emotional, and time-related. This is one of the most practical questions.

To do it right, self-publishing usually involves upfront costs for editing, design, and marketing. I’ve written about this before, but PLEASE do NOT use Amazon’s templates to format your book or the cover. While you can publish with little to no budget, professional results typically require professional support.

Traditional publishing doesn’t require those upfront costs, but the trade-off is time, patience, and persistence in the querying process. You may also face rejection, and lots of it, before you find the right agent or publisher.

Think honestly about your current season of life. Do you have funds set aside for a self-publishing investment? Do you have the capacity to query dozens of agents? Neither path is “easier.” Both require commitment—you’re just choosing where to spend your energy.

If marketing feels daunting, don’t panic. It’s a skill you can learn over time, and there are resources to help. But your willingness to take ownership of promoting your work should weigh into your publishing decision.

Not Sure Whether to Query Agents or Self-Publish?

If you’re staring at your finished manuscript and asking yourself this question, you don’t have to do it alone.

At Inkling Creative Strategies, I help writers explore their publishing options and make a plan that aligns with their goals, resources, and personality. Together, we can look at your book, your vision, and your circumstances and chart the path that makes the most sense for you.

That’s exactly what my free 30-minute consultation is for.

We’ll talk through: