The Publishing Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know This

Let’s be honest. Getting your book published can feel like trying to break into a secret club.

The rules aren’t always clear, and the timelines are uncertain. Unless you know someone on the inside, it's hard to know what to expect. Most of us end up relying on blogs, podcasts, or that one friend who’s published a book before, to piece together how the process works.

The industry has started to acknowledge some of its flaws. Yet traditional publishing still runs on a system that wasn’t built to fully support authors. Especially those from marginalized or nontraditional backgrounds.

On the bright side, things are starting to change. The gatekeepers who once held so much power over the industry are loosening their grip. New, more inclusive paths are opening up where authors have more control and creative freedom.

But they still have a long way to go.

What Traditional Publishers Are Not Telling You

The traditional publishing industry rarely explains how decisions are made or what leads to a book deal. Here’s what traditional publishing companies keep quiet about:

Publishing Success Is Manufactured

Many book choices are made based on marketability, not merit. Books are often chosen based on the author's connections, appearance, or how easily a broad audience can understand their story.

Uniqueness and authenticity are frequently overlooked. Publishers favor sanitized narratives and familiar formulas that feel safe to publishers and marketing teams. They think that if it worked before, it will probably work again.

The Process Disempowers Authors

The traditional publishing journey is often long, confusing, and discouraging. Authors wait months for decisions. They receive little communication or clarity about what is happening behind the scenes.

During the publishing process, many authors feel isolated, unsupported, and unsure of their role. Then, once the book is out, the support they have ends. Promotion and audience engagement often fall on the author, even when the publisher promised to take the lead.

Who Gets In

Publishing favors a select group of people. People with the right background, a large platform, or proximity to industry power often get the best deals. The odds of getting published are significantly better if you already fit the mold.

Unfortunately, even if you get the deal, once a book is published, many authors have to fight for shelf space, marketing support, and fair royalties.

Expect The Bare Minimum

Publishing a book is just the beginning. Many authors are told that they’ll need to publish multiple books before they’re considered “established.” Authors have to write more, hustle more, and complete more unpaid work, all for the hope that eventually it will pay off.

The truth is, even with a book deal, you might still have to accept a low advance and sacrifice your peace of mind to feel like a real author. And even then, success isn’t guaranteed. One study found that 98% of all books published in 2021 sold fewer than 5,000 copies.

Lack Of Creative Control

In traditional publishing, the author rarely has the final say.

From your book's title and cover design to how the book is marketed, major decisions are often made without your input.

Instead of being treated like a collaborator, you're treated like content, a product to be packaged and sold.

A Path Forward

The power is shifting back to storytellers.

While traditional publishing companies continue to dominate the space, a growing number of authors are finding success outside of the old structure. Voices who have been overlooked, underestimated, or silenced by the mainstream are finding themselves in new places.

And that’s exactly why we are here.

Online Publishing and Creator-Owned Platforms

Readers no longer solely rely on publishers to tell them what to read.

Online platforms like TikTok, Substack, and Instagram have changed how books are discovered. Readers can now find books directly from authors, whether it's a personable weekly newsletter or a video on BookTok.

For example, as of April 2025, there were nearly 53 million #BookTok posts on the platform. In 2024 alone, about 59 million print book sales could be tied to BookTok-related creators or content.

This shift to increasing online publishing and creator-owned platforms has weakened traditional gatekeeping. Authors are empowered to build their platforms, communities, and momentum.

What once required a publishing contract and industry connections can now be done with a cell phone, a voice, and a clear message. Authors are going viral on social media, selling thousands of books, and building sustainable careers all outside of traditional systems.

Your audience is out there. You don’t need permission from a publisher to reach them.

Self Publishing

Self-publishing has become a more respected path to publishing a book. Of the 4 million books published in 2022, 50% were self-published.

Many authors are choosing self-publishing because it is more inclusive, faster, and more flexible than traditional publishing. Not just out of desperation. Self-publishing is a space where the author’s voice doesn’t have to be filtered or watered down to meet someone else’s expectations.

For marginalized writers and nontraditional storytellers, self-publishing is often the most direct way to speak to their audience without a filter. It allows them to bypass the gatekeepers who never saw their value in the first place. They can bring their work into the world on their terms.

Stronger Reader-Author Relationships

The world is digital. Readers aren’t waiting for publishers to tell them what stories matter anymore. They’re seeking out voices that feel real, relatable, and resonant, through online platforms. This shift has allowed authors to build genuine relationships with their readers through social media, rooted in trust and shared values, not just polished marketing campaigns.

Sharing stories authentically online allows authors to break the barriers between creator and consumer. Readers become part of the journey, not just the result. This connection fosters loyalty, excitement, and community.

You don’t have to water down your story or wait for validation from an industry insider. When you speak directly to readers, your truth becomes the reason they show up, not something you’re asked to compromise.

Understanding Process Publishing™

In addition to self-publishing, Process Publishing™ is a new model that challenges publishing industry norms and shifts the focus to authors from start to finish.

Process Publishing™ is built on collaboration, not control. It redefines what publishing a book can look and feel like. We offer a space for unfiltered storytelling, creative control, collaboration, and ownership.

Process Publishing™ is a liberating alternative to traditional publishing, founded on the belief that everyone has a story deep inside them. It doesn’t matter if your story is one of heartbreak and healing, spiritual awakening, financial reinvention, or simply finding your way through life’s chaos. All that matters is that you have a story to tell.

Publish with Reaching & Rooted

At Reaching & Rooted, we’ve worked with dozens of authors to bring their stories to life, whether it's a memoir, a poetry collection, or practical guides and deeply personal narratives.

We’re here to protect and amplify your voice, not mold it into something else. We offer guidance from experienced mentors, editorial and design support, marketing consulting, and a range of additional features.

We don’t just help you publish a book. We help you reclaim your voice and share it with the world on your terms.

If you’re tired of outdated rules, waiting for permission, shrinking your story, or trying to be taken seriously as an author. It's time to try something new. Contact us to book a discovery call, and let’s figure out how we can help you bring your story to life without the compromise.