{"id":3847,"date":"2026-02-26T17:37:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/?p=3847"},"modified":"2026-02-26T19:05:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T19:05:42","slug":"big-5-publishers-vs-self-publishing-author-earnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/big-5-publishers-vs-self-publishing-author-earnings\/","title":{"rendered":"big-5-publishers-vs-self-publishing-author-earnings | Hancock Publishers"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3847\" class=\"elementor elementor-3847\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2406847 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2406847\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-da7410e\" data-id=\"da7410e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72934a05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72934a05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"2\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Big 5 Publishers and Realistic Author Income <\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e16cde elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e16cde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many first-time and even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experienced<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> authors, publishing a book isn\u2019t just about writing, it\u2019s about making the right publishing choice and understanding what success realistically looks like. Search queries such as \u201cWho are the Big 5 publishers?\u201d, \u201cIs self-publishing better than traditional publishing?\u201d and \u201cHow much does an author make on a $20 book?\u201d reveal a clear demand for clarity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, many publishing service websites, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hancock Publishers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; don\u2019t fully explain how different publishing models work, where professional publishing services fit, or what authors can reasonably expect to earn.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide fills that gap by breaking down the Big 5 publishers, explaining traditional vs. self-publishing, exploring hybrid and assisted publishing, and setting realistic income and sales benchmarks for today\u2019s authors.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35feaa0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35feaa0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who Are the \u201cBig 5\u201d Publishers?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-435880e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"435880e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Big 5 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">publishers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dominate the traditional publishing industry. They include:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Penguin Random House<\/span><\/li><\/ol><ol start=\"2\"><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HarperCollins<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simon &amp; Schuster<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hachette Book Group<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Macmillan Publishers<br \/><br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ol><p>ProWritingAid helps writers improve their language skills by offering new words and phrases. It helps people find overused words, phrases, and expressions that are used more than once so they can write more interesting and expressive material.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36eca09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"36eca09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Big 5 Publishing Works\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c4cedb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c4cedb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional Big 5 publishing typically involves:<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing a literary agent<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submitting a proposal or manuscript<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Competing with thousands of other authors<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiting months\u2014or years\u2014for a decision<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>If accepted, the publisher usually covers editing, design, printing, and distribution. Authors earn royalties, not upfront profits, and often give up significant creative control.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7849ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e7849ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Reality of Big 5 Publishing (What Authors Aren\u2019t Told)\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86a9349 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86a9349\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While prestigious, Big 5 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">publishing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has limitations that many authors don\u2019t anticipate:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extremely low acceptance rates (often under 1%)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow timelines (12\u201324 months before release)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower royalties (typically 5\u201315% per book)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited marketing support for most author<br \/><\/span><br \/>Loss of rights and creative control<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many writers\u2014especially first-time <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">authors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014traditional publishing isn\u2019t accessible or aligned with their goals<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cccde37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cccde37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0186399 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0186399\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Traditional <\/b><b>Publishing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Big 5 &amp; Small Presses)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Publisher controls pricing, distribution, and design.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Author earns royalties<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow publishing timeline<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher gatekeeping<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><b>Self-Publishing<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The author retains full ownership and rights.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faster time to market<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher royalties (often 35\u201370%)<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The author is responsible for quality and marketing.<\/span><\/p><p>Self-publishing offers freedom\u2014but without professional support, many books struggle with poor editing, weak covers, and low discoverability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e6ef93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e6ef93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where Professional Publishing Services Fit In\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6e5cdf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6e5cdf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is where assisted, hybrid, or independent publishing services\u2014like those offered by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/932948879075500334\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hancock Publishers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014play a vital role.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rather than replacing traditional publishing, these services:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide professional <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">editing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, design, and formatting.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help authors publish faster and retain ownership.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support distribution without surrendering rights<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allow authors to invest strategically in their book\u2019s success.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For authors who want quality, control, and transparency, this approach bridges the gap between traditional and self-publishing.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d47e563 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d47e563\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Author Income Expectations: What Do Writers Really Earn?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5465ff9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5465ff9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common questions authors ask is:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow much does an author make on a $20 book?\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer depends entirely on the publishing model.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f192262 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f192262\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Traditional Publishing Earnings\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcf9d1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fcf9d1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Royalty: 5\u201315%<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earnings per $20 book: $1\u2013$3<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agent commission: often 15%<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Authors must sell tens of thousands of copies to earn substantial income.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Self-Publishing &amp; Assisted Publishing Earnings<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Royalty: 35\u201370% (depending on platform)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earnings per $20 book: $7\u2013$14<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No agent fees<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1b09da elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1b09da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The author controls pricing and promotions.\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c870fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c870fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This higher margin is one reason many authors choose <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> self-publishing support.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Selling 5,000 Copies a Good Result?<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes\u2014very good, depending on context.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industry Sales Benchmarks<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most books sell fewer than 1,000 copies.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,000\u20133,000 copies is considered respectable<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5,000 copies sold puts a book well above average<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10,000+ copies is a strong commercial success<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">100,000+ copies are rare and exceptional<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success is not only about volume but also profitability, audience growth, and long-term opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53a4eec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"53a4eec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Many Books Do You Need to Sell to Make Real Money?\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dac9222 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dac9222\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s look at simplified examples:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earning $10 per book<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling 1,000 copies = $10,000<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling 5,000 copies = $50,000<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selling 10,000 copies = $100,000<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher royalties mean authors can earn meaningful income with fewer sales\u2014especially when publishing professionally and marketing strategically.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f489bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f489bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Most Authors Don\u2019t Become Millionaires (and Why That\u2019s OK)\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9df2e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9df2e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unrealistic expectations hurt <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">authors<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more than honesty ever will.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most successful authors:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Build income gradually<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Publish multiple books<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use books to support speaking, consulting, or coaching.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on audience-building, not viral success.<\/span><\/span><p>A well-published book can generate:<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Authority<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business opportunities<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term passive incom<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Career credibility<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f62e8a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f62e8a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Hancock Publishers Fits Into the Publishing Ecosystem\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc19630 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dc19630\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hancock Publishers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serves authors who want:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional-quality books<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear publishing guidance<br \/><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ownership and creative control<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparent processes<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Realistic financial expectations<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rather than promising overnight success, professional publishing support helps authors publish smarter, avoid common mistakes, and position their books for long-term success.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47f132e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"47f132e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Final Thoughts: Clarity Empowers Authors\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bda49c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bda49c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the Big 5 publishers, alternative <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">publishing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> models, and realistic income expectations helps authors make informed decisions\u2014not emotional ones.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When publishers explain:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where they fit in the ecosystem<br \/><\/span><\/p><p>What authors can earn<\/p><p>What success realistically looks like<\/p><p>They build trust, authority, and long-term relationships.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By addressing these gaps, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HancockPublishers<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/contact-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">com<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can better serve authors who aren\u2019t just dreaming of publishing but are ready to do it right.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0df0429\" data-id=\"0df0429\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section 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for=\"form-field-field_3833931\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnter a brief description about your book\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<textarea class=\"elementor-field-textual elementor-field  elementor-size-md\" name=\"form_fields[field_3833931]\" id=\"form-field-field_3833931\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Enter a brief description about your book\"><\/textarea>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-recaptcha_v3 elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_04780da elementor-col-100 recaptcha_v3-inline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field\" id=\"form-field-field_04780da\"><div class=\"elementor-g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LdcmCcqAAAAAMKu_cLG0j_6Ee3_f97y5LKAwau1\" data-type=\"v3\" data-action=\"Form\" data-badge=\"inline\" data-size=\"invisible\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-100 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-md\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-right-arrow2\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Submit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-be67877 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"be67877\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7e9650\" data-id=\"a7e9650\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acac2d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"acac2d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Self-Publishing Resources\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-881e2b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"881e2b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/techniques-for-transforming\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"509\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/hp_publishing_guide_book_02-01-01_720.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2477\" alt=\"Techniques For Transforming\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/hp_publishing_guide_book_02-01-01_720.png 509w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/hp_publishing_guide_book_02-01-01_720-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee24319 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee24319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/techniques-for-transforming\/\">Download Now<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc530cc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc530cc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1745346\" data-id=\"1745346\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1039477 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1039477\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e36327c\" data-id=\"e36327c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7d6ca0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f7d6ca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ready to turn your manuscript into an eBook?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8260532 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8260532\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Turn your ideas into a best-seller with Hancock Publishers!<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9324b9c elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9324b9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjU0NCIsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"icon icon-right-arrow2\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get A Quote!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c2fa58c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c2fa58c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a4b512\" data-id=\"6a4b512\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddf170d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ddf170d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Recent Blogs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38043b2 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"38043b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3909 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-design-illustration\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/author-website-design-book-design-services\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442401-300x125.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-3910\" alt=\"Author Website Design &amp; Book Design Services\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442401-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442401-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442401-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442401.png 1528w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/author-website-design-book-design-services\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAuthor Website Design &#038; Book Design Services: The Complete Guide to Building a Powerful Author Brand\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/author-website-design-book-design-services\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Author Website Design &#038; Book Design Services: The Complete Guide to Building a Powerful Author Brand\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLearn More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3906 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/best-book-publishing-company\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442403-300x125.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-3907\" alt=\"How to Choose the Best Book Publishing Company in the USA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442403-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442403-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442403-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442403.png 1528w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/best-book-publishing-company\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tHow to Choose the Best Book Publishing Company in the USA\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/best-book-publishing-company\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Choose the Best Book Publishing Company in the USA\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLearn More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3901 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-audiobook\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/affordable-custom-audiobook-solutions\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442402-300x125.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-3902\" alt=\"Affordable &amp; Custom Audiobook Solutions\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442402-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442402-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442402-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1000442402.png 1528w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/affordable-custom-audiobook-solutions\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tBest Audio Book Service in the USA: Affordable &#038; Custom Audiobook Solutions\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/affordable-custom-audiobook-solutions\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Best Audio Book Service in the USA: Affordable &#038; Custom Audiobook Solutions\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLearn More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Big 5 Publishers and Realistic Author Income For many first-time and even experienced authors, publishing a book isn\u2019t just about writing, it\u2019s about making<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-editing"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.5 (Yoast SEO 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Clear income benchmarks and publishing guidance.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hancockpublishers.com\/blogs\/big-5-publishers-vs-self-publishing-author-earnings\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"big-5-publishers-vs-self-publishing-author-earnings | Hancock Publishers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn who the Big 5 publishers are, how traditional and self-publishing compare, and what authors realistically earn per book. 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