Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: A Complete Guide for Canadian Authors
If you’re a Canadian writer trying to decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing, you’ve probably been told that one is more legitimate, while the other is easier. Neither is entirely true. The truth lies somewhere in the messy middle, and what’s right for you will depend on your book, your goals, your skills, and your willingness to learn (or invest).
At Foglio, we work exclusively with self-publishing authors, but not because we believe traditional publishing is worthless. Quite the opposite. We know the system well. We’ve read the contracts, seen the editorial notes, and helped authors navigate the ups and downs of both paths. And we believe more authors deserve to understand the trade-offs—not just the talking points.
This guide offers a complete look at how self-publishing compares to traditional publishing in Canada today. We’ll cover the differences in process, timelines, control, costs, royalties, distribution, marketing, and more.
What is Traditional Publishing?
Traditional publishing is the legacy method of getting a book into print. The author submits their work to literary agents or publishers (usually both), hoping to land a contract. If accepted, the publisher takes on most of the work: editing, designing, printing, distributing, and marketing the book. In return, the publisher retains control over the process and typically keeps the majority of the profits.
Canadian authors typically aim for large multinational publishers like Penguin Random House Canada or HarperCollins Canada, or mid-sized literary presses like House of Anansi or ECW Press. Smaller independent publishers may also be open to unsolicited manuscripts.
In most cases, you will need a literary agent to be considered by a major publisher. Securing an agent can take months, or even years, and many authors never receive a response at all. Once you have an agent, it can take another few months to a year to get a publishing deal.
From there, the production timeline begins: editing, cover design, typesetting, printing, distribution, and marketing. It’s not uncommon for a book to hit shelves two or three years after the manuscript is accepted.
What is Self-Publishing?
Self-publishing is exactly what it sounds like: the author becomes the publisher. You are responsible for overseeing every step of the process, or for hiring professionals to help. You retain full control over the timeline, the design, the content, and the distribution. You also keep the rights and a much larger share of the profits.
Self-publishing used to carry a stigma, but that has largely disappeared—especially in Canada, where successful self-published books regularly appear in major media outlets and win awards. More importantly, self-publishing has become a viable and respected path for authors who want creative freedom, faster timelines, and full ownership of their work.
Foglio works with self-publishing authors to provide everything from editing to cover design to ebook formatting and distribution. We also provide print and ebook files that meet all technical specifications for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and other major platforms.
Cost Comparison
Traditional publishing does not require an upfront investment from the author. You do not pay the publisher. In fact, reputable publishers and agents will never ask you for money. Instead, they pay you an advance (usually modest) and royalties on sales after that advance is earned back. However, they also control the financial terms.
In Canada, typical royalties for traditionally published print books are between 7 and 12 percent of the retail price. That means if your paperback sells for $22.00, you might earn $2.20 per copy.
Self-publishing does require an investment. You will need to pay for editing, design, layout, file preparation, and sometimes marketing. But you also keep a larger share of the profits. On Amazon KDP, for example, Canadian authors who self-publish earn 60 to 70 percent of the book’s sale price, minus print costs. That same $22.00 paperback might net you $8 to $10 per copy.
Timelines
Traditional publishing takes time. Between querying agents, securing a publisher, going through editorial rounds, and waiting in the production queue, it’s common for the process to take two to three years—sometimes longer.
Self-publishing can be done in as little as three to six months, especially if you’re working with experienced professionals who know how to prepare files for distribution efficiently. If you’re on a tight timeline or want to coordinate a book release with an event, self-publishing offers far greater flexibility.
Creative Control
With traditional publishing, your publisher has final say on your cover design, your title, your page count, your back cover text, and even whether or not certain chapters stay in the book. If you’re lucky, you’ll get input on these decisions. But many authors find themselves pushed toward more commercial or marketable versions of their original vision.
Self-publishing gives you full creative control. That can be both liberating and overwhelming. You are the creative director. You choose your title, your fonts, your colour palette, your illustrations, your formats. You also choose your collaborators. At Foglio, we encourage you to be as hands-on or hands-off as you like, depending on your book design goals.
Foglio offers a collaborative, design-centred self-publishing process. Learn more about Cover Design, Ebooks, and Typesetting & Formatting
Marketing and Distribution
Many authors assume that traditional publishing comes with a big marketing budget. That’s rarely the case. Unless you are a celebrity or already have a large platform, your marketing support may consist of a press release and a few social media posts from the publisher. You will likely still be expected to run your own social media, book events, and outreach.
Traditional publishers do have one major advantage: access to bookstores and libraries. Their sales reps have relationships with major retailers and distributors. If it’s important to you that your book appears on physical store shelves across Canada, traditional publishing may offer better odds.
That said, self-published authors now have more distribution options than ever before. Through Amazon KDP, you can reach readers worldwide, and through IngramSpark, your book can be ordered by most bookstores and libraries—even in Canada. You can also sell direct from your website using platforms like Shopify, or offer signed copies through events and pop-up shops.
At Foglio, we provide guidance on distribution strategies and support for uploading your books to major platforms. We also offer print-on-demand and small batch printing services based in Canada.
Learn more about Foglio’s Print-on-Demand support.
ISBNs, Copyright, and Legal Requirements
In Canada, self-publishing authors can obtain ISBNs for free through Library and Archives Canada. You retain all rights to your work and are considered the publisher of record.
Traditional publishers will register the ISBNs on your behalf, and they will typically be listed as the official publisher. They will also hold certain rights to your work, as specified in your contract. These may include print rights, ebook rights, audiobook rights, foreign rights, and more. Make sure you read the contract carefully.
You do not need to register copyright in Canada—it is automatic upon creation—but you may choose to do so with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office to establish a formal record.
Prestige and Public Perception
This is the trickiest category. For some authors, the perceived prestige of being published by an established press is meaningful. It can open doors to awards, festival invitations, and certain grant applications.
That said, the stigma around self-publishing has faded considerably. Many self-published books win awards, land national media coverage, and even get picked up by traditional publishers later. What matters most is the quality of the book, not how it was published.
Which Path is Right for You?
There’s no single answer. But here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Do you want complete creative freedom and faster timelines?
Are you willing to invest in quality editing and design?
Would you prefer to retain all rights to your work?
Are you ready to promote the book yourself or with expert help?
If you answered yes to most of the above, self-publishing may be a better fit. And if you want help bringing that vision to life, Foglio can walk you through every step.
For a deeper look at how we support self-publishing authors, explore our Publishing Packages, or download our free Self-Publishing Starter Guide.
Final Thoughts
The debate between traditional and self-publishing is often more emotional than practical. The truth is, both paths can be valid, fulfilling, and even profitable—if you know what you’re getting into.
If you’re not sure which path is right for you, we offer free consultations to help clarify your next step. And if you decide to self-publish, we’re here to make sure your book looks, reads, and feels every bit as good as the ones on the bestseller list.
