Should you self-publish a book or go with a traditional publisher?

When I speak with hopeful new authors, this is by far the biggest question I receive. Should you self-publish a book … or try to get a contract with a publisher?

I’ve published three books through a traditional publisher and five books on my own so there is probably nobody with a more balanced perspective.

Spoiler Alert: My view is that it is almost always better to self-publish a book, especially if you’re a new author and today I’ll explain why.

Let’s look at the value a traditional publisher is SUPPOSED to bring to an author and the reality of self-publishing a book today.

Reality check

Perhaps the most intoxicating idea is that a big publisher will believe in your greatness, promote the heck out of your new book, and drive you to the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

Unless your name is Malcolm Gladwell or Stephen King, that ain’t gonna happen. In fact, for a first-time author, your publishing contract may require you to sell 5,000 books. It is excruciatingly hard to sell that many books and if you can do that, why do you need a publisher in the first place?

You probably won’t make it into a bookstore or airport if you self-publish a book (although it is…