Is it too late to submit my books to a traditional publisher after self-publishing on Amazon?

[Guest]

Let me listen to your advice.. Is it too late to submit my books to a traditional publisher after self-publishing on Amazon?

[Robert]

Pretty much. Unless they're a runaway success, traditional publishers generally don't touch self-published books.

[Lisa]

Typically, yes. Publishers like what is called first rights, and your book no longer has them to give because it already has been published. However, there are some exceptions made if your book has sold about 10,000 copies. At that point in the game, first rights cease to matter as much because you’re already proven to be a big seller.

[Ivonne]

Trad pubs don't want stuff that's been published already. Would be too hard to pump it up to sell unless it's selling extremely well (thousands of copies).

It's kind of like trying to sell a used car as if it were new. So, yes, it's too late.

If you want to try trad pubs, then write a new book.

[Shayne]

Generally speaking, yes, that's too late. If you want to submit to a trad pub, the time to do it is before you self-pub, not after.

[Mobeen]

From what I’m reading on this group, traditional publishing can take years. Unless you are a professional writer, which I am not what is the point of waiting for years before people can read your work? Is it self publishing better overall then?