Traditional vs Self-Publishing in Pakistan: Which is Better for You?

Self publishing has revolutionized the book industry, now accounting for 30% to 40% of all ebook unit sales. If you're an aspiring author in Pakistan, you're facing a critical decision that impacts everything from your creative control to your potential earnings.

While traditional publishing offers the prestige of established publishing houses handling your work, self publishing gives you complete ownership of your book and its proceeds. In fact, self-published authors can keep the majority earnings from book sales, compared to traditionally published authors who typically receive only 10-15% royalties. 

The time investment differs dramatically too. Traditional publishing can take up to two years from securing a book deal to seeing your work in bookstores, whereas self publishing puts you in control of your timeline. Whether you're drawn to the higher royalty rates of 60-70% per book sold through self publishing or prefer the comprehensive support traditional publishers provide with editing, proofreading, and distribution, your choice ultimately depends on your specific goals and resources.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore both publishing paths in the Pakistani context, helping you decide which route aligns best with your authorial ambitions.

Understanding the Publishing Models in Pakistan

The publishing landscape in Pakistan has evolved significantly. Today, Pakistani authors have multiple paths to bring their work to readers, each with distinct advantages and challenges.

What is Traditional Publishing in Pakistan?

Traditional publishing in Pakistan follows the established model where authors submit their manuscripts to traditional publishers like Liberty Books, Sang-e-Meel Publications, or Reverie Publishers. This process begins with query letters or proposals, accompanied by a synopsis, sample chapters, author bio, and market analysis. Once accepted, the publisher takes full responsibility for editing, design, printing, and distribution while the author receives a royalty advance and ongoing royalties on sales.

What is Self Publishing a Book?

Self publishing represents a more independent approach where authors maintain complete control over their work from manuscript to market. Unlike traditional publishing, self publishing is more immediate, often taking weeks rather than years to complete. Additionally, self published authors typically receive substantially higher royalty percentages from book sales.

So what does self publishing mean? Self publishing your book means you manage the entire process yourself (or through a self-publishing company, which we’ll discuss), from editing and formatting to marketing and distribution. This approach has gained significant traction in Pakistan, particularly among young authors who face rejection from traditional publishers.

How Self Publishing Works Locally

The self publishing process in Pakistan typically involves partnering with self-publishing houses. Companies like TWS Publications offer comprehensive packages that include editing, formatting, design, and marketing and distribution services. 

For instance, TWS Publications specifically aims to counter traditional publishing houses' bias against aspiring authors by providing equal opportunities to all writers regardless of their reach or potential sales, and provides a convenient solution for self publishing needs. Offering several publishing packages like Print-on-Demand, Bulk Buying and Extended Distribution to cater to different author requirements, they charge for their services while allowing authors to keep the majority of the royalty earnings. 

Hybrid Publishing: A Middle Ground?

Between traditional and self publishing lies hybrid publishing, offering elements of both approaches. Although less established in Pakistan, hybrid models typically share costs and responsibilities between publisher and author.

It's worth noting that some vanity publishers may misleadingly present themselves as hybrid publishers. Genuine hybrid publishers provide professional services while allowing authors to retain certain rights and receive higher royalties than traditional publishing offers.

Before signing with any publisher, we suggest you thoroughly understand the terms, particularly regarding rights ownership, royalty structures, and marketing responsibilities. This knowledge helps distinguish legitimate publishing partners from potential scams that might exploit uninformed writers.

Cost and Earnings: Upfront Investment vs Long-Term Royalties

The financial equation of publishing differs between traditional and self-publishing paths. Understanding these differences helps authors make informed decisions about their publishing journey.

Initial Costs: Publisher-Funded vs Author-Funded

Traditional publishing in Pakistan typically involves no upfront cost to authors. Publishers assume financial responsibility for editing, design, production, and marketing the book. Consequently, they maintain control over most aspects of the publishing process, which is a significant pain point for writers when publishing traditionally.

Self-publishing, conversely, requires authors to bear all production costs. In Pakistan, self-publishing expenses typically range from PKR 50,000 to PKR 500,000 depending on the services chosen. These costs cover editing, formatting, cover design, and printing, while marketing and distribution services are offered as additional services, if the author requires them. For eBooks, costs start around PKR 10,000 for basic formatting, but professional editing and design services add to this expense.

If you’d like a detailed breakdown, check out our full guide on The Cost to Publish a Book in Pakistan.

Royalty Rates: 10-15% vs 60-70%

The financial advantage of self-publishing becomes evident when examining royalty structures:

Traditional publishing offers authors merely 10-15% of profits per book sold. Furthermore, literary agents typically take an additional 15% of these earnings. For a book priced at PKR 2,776, traditionally published authors earn approximately PKR 277 per sale before agent fees.

Self-published authors, meanwhile, retain 60-70% of royalties. Notably, TWS Publications offers the highest royalty rates (80%) in the entire self publishing market in Pakistan.

Advance Payments vs Self-Financed Launch

Traditional publishers typically provide advance payments against future royalties. These advances essentially function as loans calculated on estimated future sales. Authors must "earn out" this advance before receiving additional royalties, a milestone only about 5% of first-time authors achieve.

Self-publishing eliminates advances altogether. Instead, authors finance their book launch but begin earning royalties immediately upon sales, which enables them to recoup their investment faster.

Is Self Publishing Worth It Financially?

The financial value of self-publishing depends on several factors. Consider this comparison: a self-published author selling 500 copies at PKR 430 royalty per book earns approximately PKR 215,000, while a traditionally published author might sell 1,000 copies in the same period but earn only PKR 70,000 due to lower royalty rates.

Local Pakistani self-publishing platforms have demonstrated financial viability, and the financial success of self-publishing largely depends on your marketing abilities (though you can opt for optional marketing services provided by the self publishing company).

Creative Control and Rights Ownership

Creative ownership stands as a primary consideration for authors choosing between publishing paths. The decision impacts not just who controls your work but how much say you have in its presentation to the world.

Who Owns the Book Rights?

Traditional publishing requires selling your intellectual property rights to a publishing company. Once sold, your book essentially belongs to the publisher. Recovering these rights typically proves difficult, even if you become dissatisfied with their handling of your work.

In contrast, under self-publishing you retain complete ownership of your work. You maintain all rights to your content, allowing you to pursue additional income opportunities like foreign rights sales or film adaptations without seeking permission.

Cover Design and Title Decisions

With traditional publishers, you generally won't have approval over your book's cover design. You might receive consultation rights, yet publishers typically maintain final decision authority. Similarly, your book title often requires mutual consent or falls under publisher control. Conversely, self-publishing grants full authority over visual presentation. 

Editing and Content Approval

Editorial independence varies dramatically between models. Traditional publishers subject manuscripts to their editorial vision, potentially requesting significant changes. This collaborative process involves multiple departments with differing priorities.

Alternatively, self-publishing provides complete content control, though editing services may be advised by the publisher to be opted if deemed necessary to improve the quality of the work.

What Does Self Publishing Mean for Creative Freedom?

Ultimately, self-publishing represents creative autonomy in its purest form. From Pakistani authors' experiences, this freedom extends beyond just content; it encompasses every aspect from formatting and graphics to marketing approach.

This independence permits experimentation with unique ideas and tailoring your book precisely to your intended audience. As one industry professional summarized it: "Self-publishing is the ideal choice for any author looking to have total control over their work and its publication".

Time to Market and Distribution Channels

The speed of bringing your book to market stands as one of the starkest contrasts between publishing models. Your choice impacts not just when readers see your work, but how they'll find it.

Publishing Timeline: 2 Years vs 2 Weeks

Traditional publishing requires extraordinary patience. From manuscript acceptance to bookstore appearance typically takes 18-24 months. This lengthy timeline includes multiple editing rounds, design processes, and marketing preparations. Even after securing a publisher, the clock still ticks slowly.

Self publishing, alternatively, puts you in control of timing. The process can range from immediate digital publication to several months, yet remains dramatically faster. With local services like TWS Publications, the entire process from manuscript submission to printed copies typically requires just 4-6 weeks.

Bookstore Access in Pakistan: Traditional vs Self

Traditional publishers offer established distribution networks, ensuring your book reaches major bookstores nationwide. Their industry connections facilitate placements in prominent shops across Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.

Self published authors face challenges with physical bookstore distribution. Nevertheless, local self publishing services like TWS Publications offer bookstore distribution in major cities as optional add-ons to their packages.

Marketing and Promotion Responsibilities

Marketing divides the paths of traditional and self publishing most distinctly, requiring entirely different approaches and skillsets from authors.

Publisher Support vs DIY Marketing

Traditional publishers shoulder marketing responsibilities through established channels and professional teams. Their expertise increases your book's visibility beyond what most individual authors achieve alone. Conversely, self publishing shifts most promotional duties to you (unless you opt for additional marketing services). Therefore, you must either develop marketing skills or hire professionals, both requiring additional time or money.

Building an Author Platform in Pakistan

Your author platform becomes vital for self-publishing success, serving as the bridge between you and your readers. Start with a professional website that showcases your work, biography, upcoming projects, and contact details. Make it easy for visitors to learn about your work so they can purchase your book when it comes out. Next, focus on building an email list and establish a consistent presence on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, sharing snippets from your writing and engaging content. Over time, this presence builds trust, attracts a community of supporters, and ensures your book promotions reach the right audience.

Wondering if all this effort can really pay off? Read our guide on Whether Self-Published Books Can Become Bestsellers.

Acceptance Rates for Publication

Traditional Publishing Acceptance Rates

Securing a deal with a traditional publisher in Pakistan can be very challenging. Manuscripts are carefully screened for writing quality, originality, marketability, and the author’s existing platform or potential reach. As a result, only a small fraction of submitted works are accepted, often after months of waiting. This makes it a high-barrier path, especially for debut authors without an established audience.

Self-Publishing Approval Rates

In contrast, self-publishing platforms offer a far higher acceptance rate, focusing on bringing more voices to the market rather than filtering for mass-market appeal alone. As long as a manuscript meets basic quality and formatting standards, it is likely to be accepted. This inclusive approach opens the door for emerging authors to see their work in print, often within weeks rather than years.

Conclusion

The decision between self-publishing and traditional publishing ultimately depends on your specific goals, resources, and expectations as a Pakistani author. Both paths offer distinct advantages worthy of careful consideration.

Traditional publishing provides professional editorial support, established distribution networks, and marketing assistance without upfront costs. However, this route requires patience during the lengthy 18-24 month timeline and acceptance of limited creative control. Additionally, the lower royalty rates of 10-15% mean you'll need significant sales volume to generate substantial income.

Self-publishing, conversely, offers complete creative freedom and substantially higher royalty percentages ranging from 60-70%. The accelerated timeline allows your book to reach readers within weeks rather than years. Nevertheless, this path demands either personal investment in marketing skills or additional budget for professional promotion services. Upfront costs between PKR 50,000 to PKR 500,000 also present a financial hurdle many new authors must overcome.

Thankfully, Pakistan's publishing landscape now features several domestic self-publishing platforms like TWS Publications, which provide various levels of support tailored to authors' needs. 

Before making your choice, honestly assess your priorities. Do you value creative control and higher per-book earnings above all? Self-publishing might suit you best. Would you prefer professional guidance and established distribution without upfront investment? Traditional publishing could be your ideal path.

Regardless of your decision, remember that publishing success demands quality writing that resonates with readers. Though the method of bringing your work to market matters, your dedication to crafting compelling content remains the foundation of any successful publishing journey in Pakistan.

TWS Publications is the leading self-publishing company in Pakistan. If you’re ready to publish your book, explore our Publishing Process to see exactly how we can help you bring your manuscript to life.