What is hybrid publishing and is it right for you?

If you want to publish your book, you should consider different avenues to pursue in order to turn your manuscript into a physical copy. Hybrid publishing is an increasingly popular option for writers wanting to get published without the limitations of traditional publishing and self-publishing. Let’s discuss how hybrid publishing works…

What is hybrid publishing?

Hybrid publishing sits somewhere between traditional publishing and self-publishing. In some cases, this might be a hybrid publisher who assists with the self-publishing  process with an upfront cost. In other cases, they might provide editing, design, distribution, and marketing in exchange for royalties and/or an upfront cost. 

With hybrid publishing companies, such as The Book Shelf Press, you work closely with them, so you can retain control over your book and have a collaborative experience, as opposed to traditional publishing houses where you would have less of a say.

Hybrid publishing vs. Vanity presses  

When looking for a hybrid publisher you need to be wary of vanity presses,  who are less ethical publishers who make their profit off of the fees rather than the book itself. They don’t prioritise your work, yet their model is quite similar to that of an ethical hybrid publisher. Most vanity publishers will approach you rather than you approaching them. There is little to no quality control, meaning that the services, such as cover design or editing,  will likely be of lower quality. Hybrid publishing is more of a partnership; you discuss publishing packages which invest in quality and success. 

Vanity publishing is exploitative. Research thoroughly before signing any contract. Check past authors’ experiences, the company’s reputation, as well as previous published books.

The pros of hybrid publishing

Hybrid publishing is appealing due to its lack of gatekeeping. Unlike traditional publishing, you don’t need a literary agent to submit your work. You will still need to pass the hybrid presses’ quality control standards, but they usually provide high-quality editing, design, proofreading, and marketing services (something associated with traditional publishing packages), while also ensuring that you won’t be sacrificing on royalty rates. In that, a hybrid publisher may request fewer royalties, too!  This is due to the upfront costs. On average, authors retain 50-80% of their royalties, unlike traditional publishing, where you often receive 5-10%. 

There are also more opportunities for you to win regional, genre-specific, and niche book awards with hybrid publishing due to the quality checks.

The cons of hybrid publishing 

On the flip side,  there are some drawbacks to hybrid publishing. The most pressing issue is they are difficult to spot. They will also quality check submissions before offering a deal. This is in addition to the upfront fees, which can be inaccessible for certain authors.  Support with marketing also varies; you may have to do a lot of the marketing yourself or invest in a marketing strategy.

Hybrid publishing at The Book Shelf Press

Here at The Book Shelf Press, we offer different packages with a range of upfront costs. Our full package involves all of the typical services associated with traditional publishers is our most expensive service, and at the opposite end of the scale we offer an idea validation package, which includes feedback and book coaching sessions.

Is hybrid publishing for you? 

Hybrid publishing can be a viable avenue if you’re realistic about the costs and responsibilities. Even some of these drawbacks can reveal themselves to be positives. For example, quality control ensures professional input is provided. Simply consider whether you prefer exposure and prestige (as with traditional publishing) or complete creative control. 

If you’d like some guidance for exploring hybrid publishing, we would recommend getting in touch with The Book Shelf Press.