Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
What’s really better — traditional publishing or self-publishing? I break down the real math, timelines, and tradeoffs between the two paths for debut authors. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your book in bookstores or wondered how indie authors make six figures, this is your crash course!
👋 If you’re new here I’m Kelsey—rom-com author, former stand-up comic, mom of six. I make cozy, real-life writing vlogs, a weekly podcast, these weekly writing tips videos, funny bits. I'm a lot. Subscribe for weekly humor, heart, inspo, motivation and zero perfectionism.
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🔗 LINKS
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
🎄 Grab my new romcom “Happy Christmas”: amzn.to/45xBYDg
🎁 Get a FREE full-length novel: kelseyhumphreys.com/freebie
📚 Binge My Rom-Coms in Kindle Unlimited: amzn.to/45n42t1
📚 Binge My Rom-Coms in Audible: amzn.to/3HoCpro
📚 Buy Signed Paperbacks from Me: kelseyhumphreys.myshopify.com
______________________________________________________________
📌 FOLLOW ME
Instagram → instagram.com/thekelseyhumphreys
TikTok → tiktok.com/@thekelseyhumphreys
Amazon → amazon.com/author/kelseyhumphreys
Goodreads → goodreads.com/author/show/8583138.Kelsey_Humphreys
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⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Intro Self Pub vs Traditional Publishing
01:00 – The Reality of Traditional Fiction Author Advances
03:00 – How to Get an Agent
06:00 – The Waiting Game: From Agent to Publisher
09:00 – How the Money Actually Breaks Down
13:00 – The Truth About Getting into Bookstores & Airports
15:00 – When/How Hybrid Publishing Happens
18:00 – How Book Distribution to Big Box Stores Works
20:00 – What You Still Have to Do Yourself (Even with a Publisher)
22:00 – The Self-Publishing Business Model
24:00 – Speed & Momentum
26:00 – My current publishing
28:00 – Thinking Like a Business Owner
30:00 – The Harsh Truth About Book Sales
31:00 – ARC Readers, NetGalley, and Marketing Reality
32:00 – Final Thoughts: You Can Do This (Traditional or Indie!)
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🏷️ tags: traditional publishing vs self publishing, indie vs traditional publishing, should I self publish, how to get a book deal, how to find a literary agent, querying agents for authors, how traditional publishing works, how much do authors make, author advance explained, indie author success, how to make money self publishing, full time author tips, realistic author advice, publishing industry explained, book publishing for beginners, author business tips, indie author strategy, how to build an author career, how to market your book, book marketing explained, indie author vlog, writing tips for beginners, self publishing journey, self publishing on amazon, kdp explained, how to price your book, how to get your book in bookstores, book distribution explained, netgalley tutorial, book sirens for authors, romance author advice, kelsey humphreys, happy tears podcast, writing vlog, realistic author life, author mom life, creative entrepreneur vlog, make money writing books
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
What’s really better — traditional publishing or self-publishing? I break down the real math, timelines, and tradeoffs between the two paths for debut authors. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your book in bookstores or wondered how indie authors make six figures, this is your crash course!
👋 If you’re new here I’m Kelsey—rom-com author, former stand-up comic, mom of six. I make cozy, real-life writing vlogs, a weekly podcast, these weekly writing tips videos, funny bits. I'm a lot. Subscribe for weekly humor, heart, inspo, motivation and zero perfectionism.
______________________________________________________________
🔗 LINKS
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
🎄 Grab my new romcom “Happy Christmas”: amzn.to/45xBYDg
🎁 Get a FREE full-length novel: kelseyhumphreys.com/freebie
📚 Binge My Rom-Coms in Kindle Unlimited: amzn.to/45n42t1
📚 Binge My Rom-Coms in Audible: amzn.to/3HoCpro
📚 Buy Signed Paperbacks from Me: kelseyhumphreys.myshopify.com
______________________________________________________________
📌 FOLLOW ME
Instagram → instagram.com/thekelseyhumphreys
TikTok → tiktok.com/@thekelseyhumphreys
Amazon → amazon.com/author/kelseyhumphreys
Goodreads → goodreads.com/author/show/8583138.Kelsey_Humphreys
________________________________________________________________
⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Intro Self Pub vs Traditional Publishing
01:00 – The Reality of Traditional Fiction Author Advances
03:00 – How to Get an Agent
06:00 – The Waiting Game: From Agent to Publisher
09:00 – How the Money Actually Breaks Down
13:00 – The Truth About Getting into Bookstores & Airports
15:00 – When/How Hybrid Publishing Happens
18:00 – How Book Distribution to Big Box Stores Works
20:00 – What You Still Have to Do Yourself (Even with a Publisher)
22:00 – The Self-Publishing Business Model
24:00 – Speed & Momentum
26:00 – My current publishing
28:00 – Thinking Like a Business Owner
30:00 – The Harsh Truth About Book Sales
31:00 – ARC Readers, NetGalley, and Marketing Reality
32:00 – Final Thoughts: You Can Do This (Traditional or Indie!)
________________________________________________________________
🏷️ tags: traditional publishing vs self publishing, indie vs traditional publishing, should I self publish, how to get a book deal, how to find a literary agent, querying agents for authors, how traditional publishing works, how much do authors make, author advance explained, indie author success, how to make money self publishing, full time author tips, realistic author advice, publishing industry explained, book publishing for beginners, author business tips, indie author strategy, how to build an author career, how to market your book, book marketing explained, indie author vlog, writing tips for beginners, self publishing journey, self publishing on amazon, kdp explained, how to price your book, how to get your book in bookstores, book distribution explained, netgalley tutorial, book sirens for authors, romance author advice, kelsey humphreys, happy tears podcast, writing vlog, realistic author life, author mom life, creative entrepreneur vlog, make money writing books
