Is traditional or self-publishing right for you?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Which of the following best describes the number of manuscripts you currently have completed?

  • A.
    I have one special story I’ve written that I really want to publish.
  • B.
    I have 2-3 polished manuscripts and ideas for lots more!
  • C.
    I have an idea for a series of books, and I've just started writing it.
  • D.
    I have 5 or more manuscripts that I feel are ready for publication.  
• 2.
  Complete this sentence. “I want to publish a book because…”

  • A.
    I love my story and I want to hold the finished book in my hands.
  • B.
    I want writing to be my career. 
  • C.
    I want to know that my writing is good enough to make the cut!
  • D.
    Writing a book is on my bucket list.
• 3.
  Complete this sentence. “When it comes to the finished book…”

  • A.
    I have an idea of how I want it to look, but I’m open to other ideas.
  • B.
    I know exactly how it will look and I want complete control over it.
  • C.
    I would be really upset if the finished book doesn’t match my vision.
  • D.
    I would trust an expert to create the finished product.
• 4.
  Complete this sentence. “To feel successful as an author, I would need…”

  • A.
    To just hold a physical book in my hands!
  • B.
    To know my book was chosen for publication by a respected publisher.
  • C.
    To know that readers are enjoying my book.
  • D.
    To sell a lot of copies of my book.
• 5.
  How long are you willing to wait and work at it, to be a published author?

  • A.
    As long as it takes
  • B.
    5-10 years
  • C.
    No more than a couple of years.
  • D.
    I want to be published within the year.
• 6.
  How would you react if you received negative feedback about your current work in progress from an experienced author/editor?

  • A.
    I would be very discouraged and possibly abandon the project.
  • B.
    It would be frustrating, but I’d be willing to make changes if it would help the book sell.
  • C.
    I would be excited to tackle the trouble spots and make improvements.
  • D.
    I wouldn’t make the changes. I love it just the way it is!
• 7.
   How do you feel about self-promotion?

  • A.
    The idea of talking about myself gives me hives.
  • B.
    I can’t wait to make the rounds at all the local festivals and craft shows with my book!
  • C.
    I don’t mind making the occasional post on social media, but it makes me nervous.
  • D.
    I am the king/queen of online sales and promotion! 
• 8.
   When it comes to things like designing page layouts, choosing paper quality, choosing an illustrator, designing a cover, or creating promotional materials, how involved do you want to be?

  • A.
    I want to do it all myself!  I know my book best!
  • B.
    I want to hire professionals to do the work, but be very involved in every decision.
  • C.
    I just want to hand off my story and wait to see the finished product.
  • D.
    I don’t mind helping, but would rather have someone else make these kinds of decisions. 
• 9.
  Which of these statements best describes what you are willing to invest in your book?

  • A.
    I don’t want to invest any money. I want a publisher to pay ME.
  • B.
    I am willing to invest a few hundred to a few thousand dollars if it means being published.
  • C.
    I am willing to invest my time in workshops and conferences to be a better writer.
  • D.
    This is a business. I am willing to invest money if I will earn it back in sales.
• 10.
  What do you want writing to be for you?

  • A.
    a hobby
  • B.
    a side hustle
  • C.
    a passion project
  • D.
    a full-time job
• 11.
  Which best describes how you feel about your story?

  • A.
    I have a strong emotional attachment to the story and its characters. I could never give up on it.
  • B.
     I’m very proud of it, but I know it still needs work. If an expert recommended I put it aside and work on something else, I would.
  • C.
    This book is my passion project. It’s the only real manuscript I’ve ever written.
  • D.
    I feel like this story is just one of many stories I want to write.
• 12.
  When you think about your next writing project, how do you feel?

  • A.
    Excited! I can’t wait to get started!
  • B.
    What next project? Once I complete THIS project, my dream will have come true!
  • C.
    Overwhelmed...I have so many ideas...which one should I tackle next?
  • D.
    Impatient. Publishing a book takes TOO LONG.
• 13.
  Which of the following percentages of sales is the lowest you would be willing to accept for your book?

  • A.
    80-90%
  • B.
    40-50%
  • C.
    5-15%
  • D.
    It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m a published author!
• 14.
  If I told you you would need to spend several years researching the publishing market, agents, editors, and publishing houses before you could publish your book, which of the following would be the closest to your response?

  • A.
    Awesome! Where do I start?
  • B.
    Okay. If I have to...
  • C.
    Just for one book? Not worth it.
  • D.
    Lies! There has to be a better way!
• 15.
  If your closest friends had to choose one of the following to BEST describe you, which one would they choose?

  • A.
    detail-oriented
  • B.
    patient
  • C.
    independent thinker
  • D.
    team-player

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Traditional Publishing

  Image Source

  Click HERE to learn more! Becoming traditionally published is a long, slow process with lots of ups and downs, but your quiz results show that you have the determination and drive to succeed! Prepare to do lots of research, attend lots of conferences and webinars, and be rejected and ignored many times before you finally find success. Patience is a virtue! But the benefit of traditional publishing is that once you get that YES, the publishing house will take over and make your dream of being an author a reality! With traditional publishing, there are two routes to choose from: Agented or Un-Agented. Click HERE to learn more!
• 2.
  Self-Publishing

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  Click HERE to learn more! Self-publishing is just as much about running a business as it is about writing a book, but your quiz results show that you have the motivation and drive to succeed! Prepare to take charge, make decisions, and invest both time and money into the process of creating your book. Every detail matters! But the benefit of self-publishing is that you have total control and can make sure your vision you have for your book comes to life just the way you want it to! With self-publishing, there are two routes to choose from: DIY or hybrid publishing. Click HERE to learn more!