From Edie: Learn how hybrid publishing works and whether it’s the right path for your book. This guide explains the hybrid model, its costs, benefits, and limitations, and how it compares to traditional and independent publishing so writers can make informed decisions about their publishing journey.
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Publishing Paths for Writers: Understanding Your Options With Hybrid Publishing (Part 2)
by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells
Authors have several viable options to make their work available.
Essentially, the three most common tracks are traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, or independent publishing.
What is Hybrid Publishing?
A hybrid publisher is a publishing house that operates with a shared-cost model. The author pays the cost, and the publisher invests labor, brand, and distribution.
Similar to traditional publishers, the hybrid chooses quality titles that they will publish. Not everyone is accepted as the publisher curates their catalog.
- Editorial: Manuscripts receive editing and design attention similar to traditional publishing
- Publisher of Record: The publisher’s name, logo, and ISBN appear on the book
- Distribution: The publisher works through established relationships with distribution networks like Ingram Spark, and sometimes with bookstores through sales reps
- Higher royalties: Because the author subsidized production, royalties are commonly 40 to 60 percent of net
- Marketing: Titles typically receive light-to-moderate launch marketing
Services, processes, and fees can vary widely from one hybrid publisher to the next, particularly in the marketing department. Additional marketing support is often offered as an add-on.
Contracts outline what authors can expect and what is expected from the author.
Usually not included are
- Unlimited revisions
- Custom consulting
- Full-service marketing
- Public relations campaigns
- Social media management
- Guaranteed bookstore placement
- Guaranteed media coverage
Timelines
The hybrid publishing model has grown with the rise in independent publishing. Business and entrepreneur authors appreciate the faster speed to market. Like their traditional counterparts, hybrid publishers typically specialize in defined niches such as thought leadership, health and wellness, memoir and personal growth, and Christian or faith-based works.
Pros to hybrid publishing include
- Attention from a professional team
- Faster time to market
- Higher royalties
- Prestigious imprint, depending on the hybrid the author publishes with
- More control than traditional
Cons include
- Upfront cost can be high, depending on the house
- Quality varies greatly
When considering a hybrid publisher, study the quality of their products. Contact a few of their authors and ask about their experience with the publisher.
Summary
In summary, hybrid publishing is a business model that blends traditional publishing and self-publishing. The hybrid publisher is seeking quality, well-written work that aligns with their mission, editorial standards, and the audience they are committed to reaching.
Hybrid publishing is a partnership between author and publisher.
Hybrid is designed for
- Entrepreneurs and speakers
- Memoir or niche authors
- Authors seeking professional quality without DIY
- Writers who have a platform and want publishing help
Hybrid may not be ideal for
- Authors seeking a fully curated traditional experience
- Authors unable to invest financially
- Authors who want to maintain full control of publishing accounts
Is hybrid publishing the route for you? The answer is determined by what is best for the author and what is ideal for the project. Choose the publishing path that fits your budget, goals, project, and timeline.
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Don't miss the rest of the posts in this series!
Action and adventure, romantic suspense, military romance, and cozy mystery are the page-turning novels by P.S. Wells including Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays, and The Patent. How to live better, easier, and simpler is the focus of her nonfiction including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make.
PeggySue is a frequent guest with media including Focus On The Family, Family Life Today, and Christian Product Expo. She regularly teaches at conferences including Write To Publish, Taylor University Writers Conference, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Collaborator on multiple titles including books with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Shemane Nugent, Pat Palau, and Pam Farrel, PeggySue is a writing coach. When not writing, she parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, rides horses, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Founder of SingleMomCircle.com, connect with PS Wells at WWW.PEGGYSUEWELLS.COM, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and LinkedIn at LINKEDIN.COM/IN/PEGGYSUEWELLS
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