Taking a self-published book to a traditional publisher
A traditional publisher or small press will sometimes take on a book its author first published alone. It happens less often than authors hope, and usually only when the book is already selling. This guide covers what agents and publishers actually say, whether to keep your edition on sale, what happens to the ISBN and rights, and when a revised edition or a new book is the better bet.
This guide quotes agents, publishers, platforms and the ISBN agency, all checked October 27, 2026. It is not legal advice. If a publisher offers a contract, have a publishing lawyer or, if you are a member, the Authors Guild review it.
What agents and publishers say
The plainest summary comes from Jane Friedman, a longtime publishing industry adviser. In her guide to landing an agent for a self-published book, she writes that "most agents (and publishers) have little or no interest in acquiring self-published work unless it's receiving significant attention in the media or hitting bestseller lists" (Jane Friedman, updated April 28, 2025).
That is not a ban. In her chart of publishing paths, updated July 8, 2026, Friedman notes that "Typically publishers approach authors who are already succeeding with an offer to partner," and that some longtime traditional publishers now collaborate with self-published authors while letting them keep digital rights. Her conclusion on the two paths: "It's not an either/or proposition; you can do both" (Jane Friedman, The Key Book Publishing Paths).
Agents say similar things in their own words.
- Steve Laube, a literary agent, advises: "it is best to start over with a full proposal and sample chapters. In other words, act as if the self-published work doesn't exist." He adds that "within the proposal itself you must, absolutely must, disclose that the book was self-published" (Steve Laube Agency, April 21, 2025).
- Priya Doraswamy of Lotus Lane Literary, answering a reader in Poets & Writers: "The best route for a self-published author trying to get published by a traditional house is to find agent representation" (Poets & Writers, November/December 2018).
Some presses close the door in their guidelines. Dottir Press, which publishes narrative nonfiction and memoir, states: "We do not accept books that have been previously self-published" (Dottir Press). That is one press, not a rule, but it is why you read every submission page before sending. Large publishers mostly accept work only through agents.
The numbers that get attention
No publisher or agents' association publishes a sales threshold. The numbers below are individual people's markers, quoted as examples, not rules.
| Source | What they say about sales |
|---|---|
| Jane Friedman | Self-publishing is not a selling point "unless you can say, 'I self-published this book and have sold 50,000 copies so far.'" |
| Steve Laube (agent) | "If your book has sold 5,000 or 10,000 self-published copies, say that in your cover letter." And: "If your book only sold 75 copies, that isn't quite as exciting." |
| Steve Laube (agent) | "If you say, 'I sold 9,500 at 99 cents each,' that won't move the needle." |
The last line matters. Agents look at what readers paid and how long the book has been out, not just the copy count. Friedman says to note "when you released the book, what price it's selling at, how many copies you've sold."
For nonfiction, sales are only part of the case. Publishers buy nonfiction on a proposal that argues for the author's platform and the book's market, so a strong speaking calendar or client base can matter as much as past copies. The parts of that document are in how to write a nonfiction book proposal.
How to pitch it
Friedman lays out four options. They fit different situations:
- "Query agents as if you didn't self-publish." She calls this "the most sensible approach if you put little time or effort into self-publishing your book." If an agent becomes interested, she says, "you should disclose the history of the project."
- "Query and mention your self-publishing effort." For a book with real sales or reviews. "Do not send a copy of the book with your query."
- "Continue marketing your self-pub work." If sales grow, publishers may come to you.
- "Query with a new project." In her words, "perhaps the best way to land a traditional deal for a self-published work is to secure an agent for a brand-new work."
On disclosure, Friedman and Laube agree: tell the agent. Friedman's caution is about emphasis: "Pitch the merits of the work, not its self-published history." For finding the right agent, see how to find a literary agent for nonfiction.
Keep the edition on sale, or unpublish it?
If the book is selling, its sales are your evidence, so most authors keep it live while they pitch. The exception is an edition you regret. For authors who think self-publishing was a mistake, Friedman writes: "I would also advise taking the work off the market before you query if it was indeed a mistake, but that's not required."
If a publisher does sign the book, the contract decides what happens to your edition. The Authors Guild model contract opens its grant of rights with "Author grants to Publisher for the Term (as defined below), the exclusive right to," and its commentary says the standard license term in trade publishing is "the whole term of copyright" (Authors Guild, section 2). Exclusive rights in a format usually mean your own edition in that format has to come down. Ask the publisher, in writing, which formats it is licensing and when your editions must be removed.
When it is time to take a book down, the platforms work differently:
| Platform | What its help pages say |
|---|---|
| Amazon KDP | "To remove a book from sale, you can unpublish it from the KDP Bookshelf." "It takes up to 72 hours for a book to unpublish." "However, used copies can still be sold by third parties." "Individual book formats (i.e. paperback vs eBook) can be unpublished and republished." |
| IngramSpark | Canceling "removes it from IngramSpark's distribution network," and you can no longer order copies. Removing distribution stops retailers selling it, but "You will still be able to order your books directly from your IngramSpark account." Both are requested by email: these settings "cannot be edited directly through your IngramSpark account." After cancellation, "Retailers may take some time to update their listings," files "will be deleted after 180 days," and returnable titles can be returned for 180 days, with costs that "may be deducted from your compensation or invoiced to you." |
IngramSpark advises keeping a copy of your files and data before you cancel. If your ebook is enrolled in KDP Select, check when its exclusive enrollment period ends too.
ISBNs and rights
The ISBN changes with the publisher. The International ISBN Agency says: "If there is a change of publisher, then the new publisher must assign one of their own ISBNs to the new publication." It adds that "A (substantial) change of text requires a new ISBN," and that a new title does too (International ISBN Agency, ISBN assignment). A publisher that takes on your book will use its own number, whichever ISBN you used.
A free platform ISBN stays on the platform. KDP says its "Free ISBNs from us can only be used on KDP. They cannot be used to publish outside of KDP" (KDP). If you plan a revised edition of your own elsewhere, buy your own ISBN for it.
The rights are yours to license. When you self-publish, you remain the copyright owner, and nothing has been licensed to a publisher yet. That is the asset a publisher is buying. How copyright differs from publishing rights, and which clauses to read twice, is covered in who owns what: rights, ISBNs and contract terms.
Beware offers that find you. Writer Beware says a pitch to republish or rebrand your self-published book "is an extremely common pitch by overseas publishing scammers," and that unsolicited contact you did not start is "highly likely to be a scam" (Writer Beware). If a "publisher" contacts you first and asks for money, read vanity press warning signs before replying.
When a revised edition or new book is better
For many nonfiction authors, the realistic route is one of these:
| Your situation | The route that usually fits |
|---|---|
| The book sells steadily and has strong reviews | Pitch it, with honest sales figures, release date and price |
| The book sold little but the idea is still strong | Pitch a new, expanded book built on the idea, with a fresh proposal |
| The content is dated | A revised edition, self-published or with a small press |
| The edition was rushed or poorly produced | Unpublish it, rework it, then query as Friedman's first option describes |
| You want to keep control and income | Keep self-publishing; a traditional deal is not required to succeed |
On KDP, a revised edition is a new book: for significant edits, "such as the title or manuscript," KDP says to "first unpublish your current book" and then "publish a new edition." A new title gets a new ISBN, so plan the transition. If you approach a small press, check its submission page first: as Dottir Press shows, some say no to previously self-published books outright.
Disclosure: Scribe Media makes this site and sells publishing services, including Scribe Publishing for authors with a finished manuscript ($29,000, or $4,833 a month for 6 months, on scribemedia.com/pricing, checked October 27, 2026). Scribe does not sell traditional deals. If your book is selling and an agent is interested, that path costs you nothing. If you want to talk through a relaunch, you can book a free call.
What most people get wrong
- Treating self-publishing as an audition. Friedman calls the idea that it is best to self-publish first and get an agent later "one of the worst" assumptions in the writing community (Jane Friedman).
- Leading with "it's already published." Friedman: do not lead "with 'I self-published this book and thought you might be interested.'"
- Quoting copies without context. Give the release date, price and format.
Not sure whether to pitch, relaunch or keep going on your own? The chooser ranks every publishing path against your goals, budget and time.
Common questions
Can you submit a self-published book to a publisher?
Yes, but many will not consider it. Some presses say so in their guidelines; Dottir Press, for example, states, "We do not accept books that have been previously self-published." Most large publishers only take submissions through agents, and Jane Friedman says "most agents (and publishers) have little or no interest in acquiring self-published work" unless it is getting significant media attention or hitting bestseller lists. Read each press's submission page before sending anything.
Do publishers buy self-published books?
Sometimes, usually when the book is already selling well. Jane Friedman writes that "Typically publishers approach authors who are already succeeding with an offer to partner." No publisher publishes a sales threshold. One agent, Steve Laube, says to mention it in your cover letter if the book has sold 5,000 or 10,000 copies, and that 75 copies "isn't quite as exciting."
Can a self-published book be republished?
Yes. As the self-publisher you normally hold every right, so you can republish it yourself as a revised edition or license it to a publisher. A new publisher assigns its own ISBN: the International ISBN Agency says "If there is a change of publisher, then the new publisher must assign one of their own ISBNs to the new publication." A substantial change of text or a new title also needs a new ISBN.
Can I unpublish and republish the same book on KDP?
Yes. KDP's help page says "Individual book formats (i.e. paperback vs eBook) can be unpublished and republished." For significant edits such as a new title or manuscript, KDP says to "first unpublish your current book" and then "publish a new edition." Unpublishing can take up to 72 hours, and third parties can still sell used copies.
How do I remove a book from IngramSpark?
By email. IngramSpark says cancellation and distribution removal "cannot be edited directly through your IngramSpark account." You email support from your account's registered address, list the ISBNs and say whether you want to cancel or remove distribution. After cancellation your files are deleted after 180 days, and if the book is returnable, booksellers have 180 days to return unsold copies.
Sources: Jane Friedman, How to Land an Agent for a Self-Published Book (updated April 28, 2025), The Key Book Publishing Paths (updated July 8, 2026) and Is Self-Publishing a Good Springboard to Traditional Pub?; Steve Laube, What Is the Best Way to Submit My Self-Published Book? (April 21, 2025); Poets & Writers, Agent Advice; Dottir Press submissions; Authors Guild Model Trade Book Contract, section 2; KDP, Remove or unpublish a book and What is an ISBN and Imprint?; IngramSpark, Canceling or Removing your Title from Distribution; International ISBN Agency, ISBN assignment; Writer Beware, Self-Publishing; scribemedia.com/pricing. All checked October 27, 2026. Published by Scribe Media.