For most first-time Christian nonfiction authors, I believe self-publishing on Amazon KDP is the better path today.
You keep control. You generally keep a much larger share of each sale. And your book can be in readers’ hands in weeks instead of years.
I say that as someone who published most of my 30+ books with traditional houses.
And loved it.
I know what you’re dreaming about
For years, when women came to my Author Incubator, the vast majority weren’t sold on Amazon. They were dreaming of a traditional publisher.
The agent. The contract. The box of books on the front porch. The bookstore signing.
I understand completely. I lived that dream.
At 29, I picked up the phone, called a publisher and landed my first book deal. Over the decades that followed, most of my books went through traditional houses.
So I’m not guessing about how it works. I’m telling you what I saw from the inside.
How traditional publishing actually works
Typically, you write a proposal. You find an agent. The agent approaches publishers. An acquisitions team says yes or, far more often, no.
If you get a yes, you may have input on things like the title and cover, but the publisher generally has the final say. They also control the production schedule and release date.
In my experience, the whole process often took roughly two years from book idea to book in print.
And traditional publishing is no guarantee of success.
One of my traditionally published books bombed badly enough that roughly $30,000 of its advance was never earned back.
The title was the problem.
Traditional publishers can produce unsuccessful books too.
Meanwhile, the Christian bookstore landscape those publishers once relied on has changed dramatically.
How self-publishing on Amazon works
Amazon gives independent authors access to an enormous marketplace without asking permission from an agent or acquisitions committee.
You choose your title. You choose your cover. You choose when you’re ready to publish.
KDP handles the storefront, payment processing and, for print-on-demand books, printing and shipping. There is no fee simply to upload your book, although producing a professional book certainly isn’t free.
And on qualifying Kindle ebooks, authors can earn royalties of up to 70 percent.
The difference in speed can be extraordinary.
My clients John and Judy O’Leary went from book idea to #1 Amazon bestseller in 24 days.
Yes, that included writing the book.
Side by side
| Traditional publishing | Self-publishing on Amazon KDP | |
|---|---|---|
| Time from idea to print | Often years; roughly two in my experience | Potentially weeks to a few months |
| Who has final say on title and cover | Generally the publisher | You |
| Who markets the book | The author usually plays a major role | You |
| Gatekeepers | Agent and publisher | None |
| Royalties | Typically a smaller percentage, often against an advance | Potentially much higher per sale |
That marketing row surprises people.
Many aspiring authors still imagine that landing a publisher means someone else will build the audience.
Usually, you’re expected to help sell the book either way.
The trade-off nobody mentions
Self-publishing puts the decisions on you.
That’s freedom.
It’s also responsibility.
Too many self-published authors rush the process. The cover looks homemade. The title is unclear. The interior feels amateur. There was no real thought about how readers would find the book.
That’s one reason self-published books can still face resistance from bookstores and other gatekeepers.
The answer isn’t necessarily to go back to traditional publishing.
It’s to hold your book to a professional standard whether anyone forces you to or not.
“But I still want a real publisher”
I understand.
I’ve been tremendously blessed by traditional publishing, and I’m not interested in pretending otherwise.
But don’t make the mistake of assuming you should imitate what major Christian publishing houses are doing.
They can publish broad books from megachurch pastors, celebrities and household names because those authors already bring enormous audiences with them.
A first-time author without that platform is playing a different game.
And self-publishing first does not necessarily mean you can never pursue traditional publishing later.
These are publishing paths, not religious denominations. You are allowed to change your mind.
So which one should you choose?
Traditional publishing may make sense if you have a strong platform, a compelling proposal, access to agents and publishers, and you’re comfortable giving up some control in exchange for what a publishing house provides.
Self-publishing may make more sense if you want speed, control and direct access to the marketplace — and you’re willing to take responsibility for producing and marketing the book professionally.
Neither path magically creates readers.
Neither guarantees success.
And neither makes you more or less of a “real” author.
What you’re really waiting for
Sometimes the publishing question isn’t really about publishing at all.
It’s about permission.
You keep waiting for an agent, an editor, a publishing committee or someone important to say:
Yes. You’re an author. This book deserves to exist.
Maybe that happens.
Maybe it doesn’t.
But you don’t need to spend the next five years waiting for someone else to authorize the work you know you’re supposed to do.
Most women aren’t waiting for a publisher.
They’re waiting for permission.
Nobody is coming to give it to you.
Quick answers
Is self-publishing respected for Christian authors?
Most ordinary readers care far more about your title, cover, description, reviews and the quality of the book than the name printed on the publisher line.
How long does traditional publishing take?
In my experience, roughly two years from idea to book in print was common. Self-publishing can move much faster, depending on how ready the manuscript and production materials are.
Do I need a literary agent?
For many traditional publishing opportunities, yes. For self-publishing through Amazon KDP, no.
Will a traditional publisher market my book for me?
Publishers may provide marketing support, but authors are usually expected to participate significantly in building awareness and selling the book.
Not sure what kind of writer you are? Take my free 90-second quiz — What Kind of Writer Are You? — and discover your writer type, the hidden trap stalling your book, and your one next step.
Not sure what kind of writer you are? Take my free 90-second quiz — What Kind of Writer Are You? — and discover your writer type, the hidden trap stalling your book, and your one next step.