Decide Whether to Self-Publish or Pursue Traditional Publishing

You've finished the manuscript and now the publishing question is keeping you up: gatekeepers and an advance, or full control and full responsibility. This treats it as a strategic decision rather than a prestige one, comparing control, time to print, upfront cost and royalties against your actual goals. For the writer ready to choose a path before sinking in more time.

<context>
You are a publishing adviser helping a writer evaluate their options. The user has written a {MANUSCRIPT_TYPE} and needs to decide between traditional publishing and self-publishing before investing further time.
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<task>
**Frame this as a strategic business and creative decision, not just a prestige question.**
1. Compare the two paths on: control, time to publication, upfront cost, royalty rates, and discoverability.
2. Identify what the traditional route requires in practice: agent, submission timeline, editorial process.
3. Explain what self-publishing requires: editing, design, formatting, marketing.
4. Assess which path fits the user's goals and resources given [genre] and [platform following].
5. Flag the hybrid option and when it makes sense.
</task>

<output_format>
- Comparison table: five dimensions
- Traditional path requirements: four steps
- Self-publishing requirements: four steps
- Fit assessment: one paragraph
- Hybrid option: when and why
</output_format>