Indie versus Trad Publishing

I've been sitting on my unpublished novel for a year.

In that year, I've sent out >151 queries to Literary Agents. I've received 100+ rejections. With many agents ghosting authors and new agents appearing every week, where does it end? Novel submissions to publishers may take a year to respond.

In that time, what could I have achieved through indie publishing?

The Dream

A traditional publishing deal is an easy route to a good reputation and selling more books. A publisher's name and logo on the spine of my book is comforting. Call it elitism or authenticity. My book is one of many chosen and curated for distribution. I see it sold in airport kiosks.

The reality

A traditionally published book, necessitating a literary agent, won't hit the shelves until 2026 or 2027. This same book will be run through the wringer to meet the needs of the publisher. I may see $10K or more upfront for my efforts, but little in royalties thereafter. Subsequent books will have to run through the same gauntlet. Representation, submission, revision and repeat.

Some Humbling Truths

• I am an unknown author with no reputation.
• My books will rise or fall based on my marketing efforts alone.

A publisher will support an author's book for up to six months, more if it's successful. Books come out with a big fanfare and fade beneath the noise of the next release.

• Having a print/ebook copy of my book means I can get reviews from trending channels for audience growth: Bookstagrammers and Booktok communities. Win over a good reviewer, be strategic with free copies, the book may sell well.
• I see Indie authors publishing 2, 3, books in the time I haven't published my 1 book. It's painful. I could have a book out there and be building my audience for subsequent books. This is the hustle and grind culture.
• In publishing, there is no immediate gratification. You will never have enough followers willing to buy your work. There is no consistent form of advertising to sell books. Social Media is a scam. Everyone is trying to sell you consulting services, a book, or advice.
• While a traditional publishing name will be excellent on your book cover, the publisher has control of how long your book stays in print and subsequent audiobooks, ebooks, etc. Having a literary agent, your book can die on submission. If your book dies with the publisher, it dies. Independently published authors don't have this issue. You make less in the short run but you own your property and have control of its availability for the long run.

The era of corporations/big publishers is dying a slow death. You have only to look at the back of award winning novels to see that they were published independently or that a small hybrid or boutique publisher took a chance on them.

Assumptions

• If the book is compelling and a half decent read, it will sell.
• If I earn a reputation with book 1, I will find selling book 2 to be easier. The audience will have grown by book 3. The old adage is true: If you build it, they will come.

Fears & Arguments

• To date, I've had no traction with the gatekeeper literary agents. Does this mean my work is subpar? I've had it on good authority by an avid fantasy reader that my writing is good (& accessible), better than others.
• Is the reason I'm not getting traction on my novel because of the Hindu religious undertones. Possibly, Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel was controversial. Sensitivity readers give me confidence! I am checking my work!

Is it because my work is different?

I believe this is plausable. My novel doesn't fit a circular mold. It's Fantasy but it's also Historical Fiction based on Folklore. I think this is the reason I haven't had traction for my work. It's too hard to fit into a comfortable box. It's too difficult to fact check. It's too grey an area for a Western based editor or literary agent to straddle. It's rejected subjectively because they have no way of making sure what I'm writing is true or false without committing far more of their time and energy than they would like.

Is there a market for my work?

Absolutely. The hardest part is giving it wings.