Hybrid Publishing for Author-Entrepreneurs
Traditionally, authors had one path to publication if they wanted a book deal: traditional publishing. Self-publishing crept in, at the start for those who were unable to get a traditional book deal. Self-publishing was most certainly “plan B.” As time went on, self-publishing became a legitimate publishing model, and it is, frankly, “plan A” for business owners especially, due to the control over the process that self-publishing affords.
The hybrid publishing model incorporates elements of traditional publishing and self-publishing. (Did the word hybrid give it away?) Like self-publishing, the model is author-subsidized, whereas in traditional publishing the author receives money in the form of an advance before the book is published. The tradeoff is that the hybrid model includes traditional book publishing services. Those services include editing, design (book cover interior), marketing, rights management, and distribution.
Hybrid Publishers vs. Vanity Presses
These models are similar in that they are author-subsidized. The difference comes in the professional function of the publisher. Vanity presses have a reputation for taking money from authors and sticking them with cases of books in their garages. Hybrid publishers — there are dozens of hybrid publishers across the United States and Cananda, and the number is growing — are expected to adhere to a set of standards within the book publishing community. In 2018, the Independent Book Publishers Association developed the following criteria for hybrid publishers. Publishers must:
Define a mission and vision for its publishing program.
Vet submissions.
Publish under its own imprint(s) and ISBNs.
Publish to industry standards
Ensure editorial, design, and production quality.
Pursue and manage a range of publishing rights.
Provide distribution services.
Demonstrate respectable sales.
Pay authors a higher-than-standard royalty.
It makes sense that whoever takes on the greatest finiancial risk makes the most money from a book. This is why traditional book publishing contracts so heavily favor the publishing house, at the expense of the author. When someone self-publishers, they assume 100% of the financial risk and are “rewarded” by far higher royalty rates than traditional publishers offer.
Distribution
Authors who choose the self-publishing model often have the most questions around distribution. They want their books in all the places traditionally published books are (aka beyond the bookstore). Self-published books are digitally produced, and they are “printed on demand” (POD). It’s possible to get self-published books into bookstores, gift stores, libraries, and more, but doing so requires extra work on the part of authors, who don’t have existing relationships with distributors, fulfillment centers, bookstore managers, and the like. Not impossible, but typically a lot of work.
Remember, though, that business owners aren’t typical authors. They aren’t typically trying to become a bestseller and perhaps don’t care about having their book in their local bookstore. Their audience[LINK BLOG-14] is typically more niche, and they reach that audience differently than via bookstores and other retail outlets. Distribution might not be a factor in their decision-making process.
Any path to publication is valid, and each has pros and cons. As an author, you must decide what makes the most sense for your book.