Indie Tuesday—Characteristics of a Successful Hybrid Author

by Jessica Keller @AuthorKeller

A few weeks ago Edie shared the Characteristics of a Successful Indie Author which got me thinking about what it takes to flourish as a hybrid author. Like Edie pointed out in her post, some of the things I’m going to share today probably apply to more than just the hybrid author—but they are hats a hybrid must be able to wear—and wear well.

The term hybrid describes an author who is published in both the traditional market and self-publishes in the indie market. They produce new content for both markets, simultaneously. To do this successfully an author has to morph into different personalities. Thankfully, we’re good at using our imaginations!

 

Characteristics of a Successful Hybrid Author

The Juggler. As a hybrid I have to be able to handle being in the middle of writing the most exciting part of one of my indie projects and stopping that because my trade editor sent me back book edits that must be completed by the end of the week. In the same chunk of time working I’ll interview a cover designer, write the next scene in my manuscript, brainstorm a different series, spend 20 minutes marketing my latest indie, and scan over the last pass proof of my upcoming release. A hybrid has to be able to change horses midstream—while still knowing where to go back and pick up where they stopped a week/month/year before.

My writing/release schedule mapped out for the next
year. Yes, it's blurry on purpose!

The Insomniac. To meet deadlines from our publishers as well as our own

deadlines, hybrids have to be able to output a significant amount of quality work year in and year out. Many of my friends who are hybrids are up until past one in the morning working just to stay up to date on their current projects. See, in the indie market success usually goes hand-in-hand with quantity so a hybrid has to meet that demand while still getting edits and manuscripts to their trade publisher(s) on time.

 

Hybrids work every spare minute available. Family watching a movie? I “watch” with my laptop in the same room. Car needs an oil change? I bring my computer along so I can work while I wait. Dinner cooking? I stand with my laptop at the counter and write. You get the idea.

The Diplomat. Let’s be honest, the publishing world is a scary place right now. No one knows what will happen in the industry tomorrow. Indie and trade authors tend to go all West Side Story on each other and line different sides of the street singing about who is the better gang. A hybrid has to step away from these fights and in doing so we walk a thin line. We must keep our publisher, agent, and industry people happy—but to do well in Indie we also must be willing to trailblaze, take risks, and promote other indies. Sometimes the two paths are at odds with one another and a hybrid must choose the high road every single time.

Are the long hours, tightrope walking, and waiting worth it? Research shows that hybrid authors make more money than both their only indie or only trade published counterparts. Hybrids also enjoy a broader reading audience and higher discoverability.

Have I missed any characteristics? Are you hoping to pursue a career as a hybrid? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the different publishing paths and the different hats authors must wear.

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Jessica Keller holds degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies. She is multi-published in both Young Adult Fiction and Inspirational Romance and has 100+ magazine and newspaper articles to her name. Her latest release is a Young Adult Fantasy - Saving Yesterday. You can find her at www.JessicaKellerBooks.com, on Twitter @AuthorKeller, on Tumblr, or on her Facebook Author Page. She lives in the Chicagoland suburbs with her amazing husband, beautiful daughter, and two annoyingly outgoing cats that happen to be named after superheroes.