The hybrid publishing models are very much alive in today’s world – allowing an either/or choice.

You, as the creator, are empowered to choose, depending on the project, as to to how you would like to proceed. The industry has changed, a lot, allowing authors to consider a hybrid approach to publishing. Hybrid is the middle ground, using the indie model for some things and capitalize on traditional deals for others. Hybrid publishing can be a great next step for someone who has already self published a book and is ready to publish another. Or  someone who doesn’t yet have an author platform but has a great book they’d like to publish. Even for someone who wants additional feedback or control in their book’s process.

Get ready to be:

  1. empowered to make decisions,
  2. enabled to choose the best possible avenue for each project.

A career isn’t built on one book – and it’s great that there are options, where it comes to publishing.

Traditional publishing:

Refers to the established system of getting a book deal.

  1. Involves submission to agents over a period of time,
  2. Can receive a number of rejections
  3. Then (hopefully) being accepted.
  4. The agent then submits the manuscript to publishers,
  5. expect a number of rejections and
  6. then (hopefully and eventually) a contract is signed.
  7. Following that are more edits
  8. Finally it will be published. Yeah!!!

There is also the ‘other’ hybrid publishing:

sometimes called team publishers. This method blends traditional and self-publishing. There’s no universal agreement. And no structure and support for authors. It is sometimes known as the hidden gem of hybrid publishing. Some hybrids charge authors a fee to publish. Others provide the author with revenue from sales. There are even a few that offer higher royalties than traditional publishers (interesting!).

‘Vanity press’ companies:

involves the author paying for all services. The payoff is that the author has more control. The author invests in their own work, then keeps the lion’s share of their profits. Authors retain creative ownership and are treated more like partners in the process, instead of being at the whim of their publishers. This model comes with an up-front fee to get published.

So what does all this mean for authors? If you like the sound of hybrid publishing, make sure you look into the publisher before sending over a manuscript. Check their background. Look for reviews. Even contact an author who has previously used their services.

The benefit of hybrid publishing over self-publishing?

They may have access to distribution the way that traditional publishing houses do, making it easier to get your book into bookstores.

Additionally, self-published authors don’t qualify for traditional reviews. Reviews really carry a lot of weight and a good review will contribute to sales.