Meet Elmore…and His Coach — Me
Elmore is writing his first historical novel. It’s been a long time coming—years of starts and stops, doubting and dreaming—but now he’s actually doing it, thanks in part to the support of his Write On Purpose coach, yours truly.
Elmore is a fictional character, a composite of the many aspiring authors I’ve worked with through the years. But he’s also real—in the way that every aspiring author often faces similar challenges. Maybe he’s even a little bit like you.
And me? I’m the writer who’s walked this winding road of publishing as well.
Over my 35+ years as a writer and author, I’ve published 37 books and have explored nearly every path available:
I’ve worked with a New York literary agent who shopped my debut techno-thriller to big-name publishers.
I’ve self-published the majority of my books, riding the wave of Amazon and the Kindle revolution.
I’ve collaborated with a hybrid publisher, releasing Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life through Elite Books when the hybrid model was just emerging.
And now, with my latest novel, One Cause, I’m back in the thick of it—seeking a traditional publishing deal, while also preparing for the possibility of self-publishing coupled with crowdfunding via Kickstarter.
So when Elmore asks:
“How do I know which publishing path is right for me?”—I get it. So, let’s take an in-depth look.
SECTION ONE: Your Four Main Publishing Paths
(As walked by me, pondered by Elmore, and by thousands of authors)
Here are the 4 main pathways to publishing:
1. Self-Publishing
2. Traditional Publishing
3. Hybrid Publishing
4. The Blended Path
Today, we’ll look at #1 - Self-Publishing. In a future article, we’ll delve into the others.
1. Self-Publishing
“I’m the publisher—and I like it that way.”
I still remember the spark of excitement I felt when self-publishing became a legitimate option. No more gatekeepers. No more waiting. Just me, my words, and my willingness to learn. It was empowering—and sometimes overwhelming.
Over the years, I’ve self-published dozens of books—fiction and nonfiction—and I’ve learned that self-publishing isn’t just one path. It’s a network of trails with choices at every fork. One of the first choices you’ll make is whether to go exclusive with Amazon or to go wide.
This distinction is important enough that we’ll explore it fully in a future article—but here’s a brief overview to get you started.
Two Self-Publishing Paths
1. Amazon Exclusive (KDP Select / Kindle Unlimited)
You enroll your ebook in Amazon’s Kindle Select program.
In exchange, your book must be exclusive to Amazon (ebook only—for 90-day renewable periods).
In exchange, you gain access to:
Kindle Unlimited page-read income
Free promotion days and their count-down special
Enhanced visibility in Amazon's algorithm (Well, maybe).
2. Going Wide
You publish your book on Amazon AND other platforms like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and library systems via aggregators like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark.
More global reach and long-term independence.
No Kindle Unlimited page-read income—but you retain full control over distribution.
Elmore’s Question:
“So if I go exclusive with Amazon, I can earn money from people who borrow the book and read it?”
Coach Brad:
“Exactly. But you can’t list the ebook on Apple, Barnes & Noble or anywhere during that time. It’s a trade-off.”
Elmore:
“Sounds like I’ll need to map that one out more… later.”
Pros:
Complete creative control (cover, title, pricing, publishing timeline).
Higher royalties: up to 70% for ebooks on Amazon.
Fast turnaround—months, not years.
Access to Kindle Unlimited income if you choose Amazon exclusivity.
Full control over future editions, updates, and republishing.
Cons:
You either pay for editing, design, formatting, and marketing, do these yourself, or some combination.
All business decisions fall on your shoulders. (Or with the assistance of your writing coach.)
Visibility and credibility can be harder to build from scratch.
Choosing between exclusive or wide can feel confusing at first (don’t worry, more on this coming soon).
Typical Cost:
$2,000–$8,000 (varies by quality, ambition, and how much you are willing to do yourself)
Editing: $1,000–$2,500
Design/Layout: $250–$1,000
Marketing & Website: Budget-based
Best Suited For:
Independent or entrepreneurial authors who enjoy (or are open to learning) the publishing process.
Writers with a strong sense of creative vision and voice.
Storytellers who want to move forward now, not in 18 months.
Authors who may want to experiment or build a long-term author career on their own terms.
This path is especially good for authors who like to learn by doing, and who see publishing as a creative and professional journey—not just a one-time event.
Elmore’s Reaction:
“So I’d have to hire my own editor and cover designer? But I get to pick my title and decide what the cover will look like? Hmm… I like that kind of freedom.”
(Pause)
“But I’ll need a guide for the Amazon exclusive vs. wide thing.”
Coach:
“We’ll walk through that together. And hey—there’s a future article coming all about it.”
As you can see, self-publishing offers an incredible amount of freedom—but with that freedom comes responsibility, learning curves, and choices that may feel daunting at first. That’s why having a coach, community, or guide can make all the difference.
In Part Two, we’ll explore the other three publishing paths—Traditional, Hybrid, and the increasingly popular Blended Approach—all of which offer different kinds of support, structure, and potential. Elmore still has a lot of questions (don’t we all?), and each path has its own set of trade-offs. The goal isn’t to find the right way, but your way. The one that aligns with your values, goals, and unique vision for your book.
Your Write On Purpose Assignment:
Between now and Part Two, take a few moments to journal about the following:
What excites you most about the self-publishing path?
What worries you?
What kind of support would help you feel more confident moving forward?
And if you’d like to talk it through with someone who’s been where you are, I’d be honored to support you. You’re invited to schedule a free, no-obligation Creative Clarity session with me. We’ll explore where you are in your writing journey, what’s next, and what publishing path might best support the book you’re here to write.
Because just like Elmore, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Stay tuned for Part Two—coming soon!
Brad, Your Write On Purpose Coach
