To self publish or not?

What is the difference between self-publishing, independent publishing, large publishing houses like Penguin, Random House, and platforms like Amazon? Self-publishing means you do everything yourself - design, edit, print, publish, distribute and sell.

Self-publishing is fantastic if you have the skills and drive to manage every aspect yourself. My first book, Face Art, led to a wonderful partnership with the Australian paint company Derivan. I promoted their paints while they marketed my book, and together we sold over 80,000 copies across 20 years. 

For those not keen on self-publishing, independent or “indi” publishers can help. They are open to supporting authors that traditional publishers may overlook. They offer flexibility, from complete publishing packages to individualised services, helping you produce a professional publication. 

Traditional publishing houses acquire ownership rights and creative control of your work, but will take responsibility for producing, distributing, and marketing it. 

Platforms like Amazon make self-publishing accessible, but they also come with challenges: competition, self-promotion expenses, advertising, and limited presence.

For me, self-publishing remains the best way to maintain control and enjoy a higher profit margin. Having sold over 90,000 books in the real world, I’m now excited by the challenge of taking ebooks to a global audience. Wish me luck!