There are plenty of publishing myths out there. These are things many writers assume are true, but simply are not. If you debunk these myths and the resulting mindsets, you’ll have a much greater chance of ultimately finding publishing success.

Here are the top ten most prevalent publishing myths.

Myths About Traditional vs. Self- vs. Hybrid Publishing

Myth #1: “You can only make big bucks through traditional publishing.”

• Wrong. Thanks to expanding publishing options today, you have an equal chance at strong sales no matter which route you choose. In fact, most authors will tell you there isn’t a lot of money in a traditional book deal. You’ll get an advance, but that’s usually a minimal amount, and even then, you must earn it back before you see any money from royalties.
• The royalties offered by the traditional houses are pretty measly. If you end up publishing with a major house, you can expect to make only 15-25% of the publisher’s revenue, depending on whether you publish in hardcover or paperback.
• When you self-publish or publish with a hybrid publisher, you get much higher royalties along with ultimate control of your product, which means more money in your pocket.

Myth #2: “You don’t have the right to be published if you’re not good enough to get an agent.”

• Nope. Not true. This plays on writers’ common issues with self-esteem. It’s easy to buy into this “gatekeeper mentality,” as it has been a cornerstone of traditional (and tired) business models. But equating talent with getting an agent is simply false equivalence. There are incredibly talented writers out there who have not gone the traditional publishing route and have found remarkable success, both critically and through sales.

Myth #3: “It costs more money up-front to self-publish or publish with a hybrid publisher.”

• This myth is true, but qualified. Initially, it can cost the self-published or hybrid author more money to get set up. But this is because an author must cover the traditional publishing costs for things such as editing, cover art, and production. These upfront costs are compensated for in higher royalties.

Myths About the Industry

Myth #4: “Publishers don’t do marketing.”

• They do; however, marketing resources have become scarcer and traditional publishers are only promoting titles they consider likely to succeed— books on hot-button topics, celebrity books, or a book by an author whose previous books have sold well. So, you must be ready to participate in and use your own resources for marketing and publicity.

Myth #5: “It’s impossible to make a living as a writer.”

• Sure, there will always be stories of those who didn’t make it, and they might be the loudest, but there are a lot more people making a living writing than you realize. Most of them are too busy writing to spend a lot of time talking about how they’re making a living. To support yourself as a writer, you must always be writing.

Myth #6: “Everyone will be interested in a book about my life.”

• Um . . . maybe not. Instead, think about what part of your life will be especially interesting to readers. Most writers don’t simply write about their entire lives, but choose a slice of their life, one that has the best angle. Make sure you’ve explored what that unique angle is and that you’re a strong writer. Almost everyone out there thinks their life story is compelling. But the reality is that it isn’t.

Myths About the Publication Process.

Myth #7: “An editor will fix my grammar problems.”

• No matter how you publish, you won’t get far if your grammar is atrocious. An editor is focusing on developmental aspects of your book, and if it’s riddled with errors, you probably won’t get past the submission stage. You want to present your work in the most professional way possible, and that includes showing an understanding of the English language. Sure, a copyeditor will catch errors as you move through production, but only submit the cleanest grammatical version to your editor or publisher. It highlights your talent and professionalism.

Myth #8: “It’s important for authors to have input on cover art.”

• This is one of the main issues on the minds of first-time authors. Trust the experts in graphic design that you or your publisher have hired. They know what works in the marketplace and in terms of design. Chances are, as an author, you do not have experience about what makes book jackets sell. That’s not to say that design won’t get your input on what you like and don’t, but it does mean you shouldn’t worry excessively over the art.

Myth #9: “If you’re publishing in hardcover, you’re guaranteed a New York Times review.”

• It’s incredibly uncommon for a debut author to be reviewed in the New York Times, so don’t count on this; first-time authors featured in the Times are one in a million.
• Even if you get such a high-profile review, a positive one may not drive sales in a huge way, and a bad one could destroy your self-esteem. Remember that positive, lower-profile reviews can add up, and bad ones won’t be devastating.

Myth #10: “Once you’ve written your first book, it’s fine to put aside your next book and focus on publicity and publishing your current book.”

• Don’t do it. Always keep writing. This is how you will make money as a writer. Keep cranking out the books. Yes, you need to market your current book, but you must never stop writing what’s to come.

Bonus: A Tried-and-True Myth to Wrap Up with.

• One of the most pervasive grammatical myths is that you can’t end a sentence with a preposition.
• This is false. Yes, grammar nerds might be going crazy to hear that, but you can end a sentence in a preposition nowadays. You can also (gasp) split an infinitive. So go crazy! Throw those two rules out the window.