What are the Disadvantages of Traditional Publishing?
You have no control over the product. Its rare that you are consulted over the cover, the timing of the release or the marketing of the product. An agent gets 15-20% of all of your checks. Your advance can be as little as a few hundred dollars. Royalties, if you earn any, are paid twice yearly. In most cases, YOU will still be responsible for marketing the book. Unknown authors are usually not assigned any marketing dollars. They reserve that for the blockbusters. We are hearing that in some rare instances, publishers have demanded the author pay back their advance when their book failed to earn that amount (despite having spent it (and more) marketing the book).
