The journey to publishing your book begins by understanding your goals and defining the identity you want as an author. By aligning your aspirations with the right publishing route, you’re setting yourself up for the most satisfying and effective results. Below, we’ll outline five author types that align with distinct publishing goals and explain how each can find the right publishing path.
Professional Writer
For authors who want to make writing their primary profession, publishing success means more than just completing a book—it’s about gaining widespread recognition, substantial sales, and opportunities like speaking engagements. The markers of success for professional writers include traditional publishing advantages: broad distribution, media attention, and, in some cases, lucrative advances.
Authors like Tim Ferriss, Brene Brown, and James Patterson exemplify this path. They benefit from the prestige, reach, and resources of traditional publishers, which help maximize sales and cement their professional status.
Even if traditional publishing isn’t initially an option, starting with self-publishing can open doors. Ben Hardy is a perfect example. He initially self-published Slipstream Time Hacking on Amazon, which gained significant attention and eventually led to a traditional publishing deal. For those aspiring to make a career out of writing, traditional publishing is ideal—but self-publishing can be a stepping stone if you’re looking to break into the industry.
Best Publishing Option: Traditional publishing, though self-publishing can be a valuable entry point.
Hobbyist Writer
A hobbyist writer is someone who writes primarily for personal fulfillment. They may be interested in publishing a family history, memoir, or novel without an expectation for large-scale sales or recognition. Hobbyist writers are focused on enjoying the creative process and sharing their work with friends and family or a small, niche audience.
The freedom, affordability, and speed of self-publishing make it a great fit for hobbyist writers who want to see their work in print without navigating the complexities of traditional publishing.
Best Publishing Option: Self-publishing, for a cost-effective, straightforward approach that gives the author complete creative control.
Status-Seeking Author
For some, the goal of writing a book is to gain status or prestige within their field. Academics, for example, may write books to solidify their standing in their profession, not necessarily to reach mainstream bestseller status. Celebrities and media personalities often write books for similar reasons; the book’s purpose is to establish or enhance their reputation rather than generate income from sales.
Traditional publishing typically offers the recognition that status-seeking authors are after, given its role in conferring credibility. However, authors should consider how status is measured in their particular field. For academics, for instance, status is measured by the number of citations and the academic prestige of the publisher rather than sales volume.
Best Publishing Option: Traditional publishing, tailored to the standards of recognition within the author’s field.
Knowledge-Share Author
Knowledge-share authors are experts, business owners, consultants, and professionals who publish books to share valuable information and build credibility in their field. These authors don’t necessarily seek a career in writing; instead, they see the book as a tool to elevate their brand, build authority, and attract new business or speaking opportunities.
Professional publishing is usually a perfect match for knowledge-share authors, as it offers a professional-quality product without the time-intensive process that self-publishing can entail. This publishing model allows authors to focus on producing a high-quality book that demonstrates their expertise without the long wait and high selectivity of traditional publishing.
A notable example is Michael Bungay Stanier, whose book was initially turned down by traditional publishers but went on to be a massive success through self-publishing. This path allowed him to maintain control, focus on his target audience, and achieve his goal of spreading his message effectively.
Best Publishing Option: Professional publishing, balancing quality with a manageable timeline and creative control.
Entrepreneurial Author
Entrepreneurial authors may have the option of a traditional publishing deal but choose a different route due to creative or financial goals. They seek control over the process, ownership of their content, and the ability to keep more profits from their book sales. Authors like Shane Parrish and Nassim Taleb embody this path; they opted for professional publishing to meet their unique goals and maintain autonomy.
Entrepreneurial authors can tailor every aspect of the publishing process to suit their business or personal goals. Professional publishing offers these authors a high-quality book with fewer limitations, making it an excellent option for those who prefer a customized publishing experience over the standard traditional model.
Best Publishing Option: Professional publishing, providing a high level of customization and creative freedom.
Conclusion: Defining Your Path
By understanding your author identity—whether professional writer, hobbyist, status-seeker, knowledge-sharer, or entrepreneur—you can select the publishing option that aligns with your goals. With each identity comes unique opportunities and a path that allows you to make the most of your book.
