Keset Notes 11
Hi {{first_name}} ,
You’ve completed your initial draft, or maybe you’re still writing it. Perhaps you’re still thinking about writing it for the last three years.
Whichever stage you’re at, the question that all authors have to answer after their draft- and that can feel almost as overwhelming as writing the book itself is: What happens after the manuscript?
Do I need to find a publisher? Do I need an agent? What exactly does a publisher even do? And how much of this am I supposed to figure out?
Welcome to the Keset Notes Publishing Series.
Over the next three weeks, I am going to attempt to make the publishing process a lot less mysterious for you, breaking down the technical jargon into relatable language that you can work with.
Let's start with the big picture.
There isn't just one way to publish a book
When people say, “I want to get my book published,” they can actually mean several different things.
At a high level, there are three routes you'll hear about most often:
1. Traditional publishing
Depending on the type of book, this often involves finding an agent, pitching or submitting your book, and having the publisher decide whether to acquire it.
The publisher typically takes responsibility for things like editing, production, distribution, and some aspects of marketing. But the process can be competitive, time-consuming, and selective, and the author has less control over some decisions.
2. Self-publishing
You take responsibility for publishing the book yourself. That doesn't mean you have to do every task yourself. You can hire editors, designers, formatters, marketers, and other specialists — but you are the publisher and ultimately responsible for the project.
You generally have more control over the book, the process, and the timeline. You also take on more of the cost, coordination, and decision-making.
3. Hybrid or assisted publishing
There are companies that offer publishing services for a fee, helping authors with some combination of editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing. The exact model varies considerably from company to company, so don't assume that “hybrid publishing” means the same thing everywhere.
Always understand exactly what you're paying for, what you retain control over, and how the money flows before signing anything.
A little Tehillah Plus
Self-publishing doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.
At Tehillah Solutions, we help authors turn their manuscripts into published books — from strategy and project planning to editing coordination, publishing support, and getting the pieces moving in the right direction. So if you know you want to self-publish but aren't quite sure what to do, who to work with, or how to put it all together, that's something we can help with.
So which one should you choose?
I would usually flip that question to: “What do you want to achieve with the book?”
Because your answer changes the conversation, and different publishing routes may make more or less sense depending on it.
Practical factors to consider:
How much control do you want?
How quickly do you want to publish?
What resources can you invest?
How involved do you want to be?
How important are distribution and bookstore access to you?
There is no perfect answer, only one that makes sense for your particular book and goals.
Next week: The Publishing Choice
Now that you know the three broad routes, we'll dig into the question most authors eventually ask: “Which route is right for me?”
I'll give you a simple framework for thinking through that decision.
And if you know someone who is trying to figure out how to publish their book, kindly forward this edition to them. They might need it too.
Until next time,
Keep writing,
Esther