The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly behind Hybrid Publishers
Written by Kate Gough
Hybrid publishers are a mysterious enigma, due to the name, and the vague allusions to “vanity presses”. This connection is understandable, as of course, both require the author to take financial risk in order to publish their book.
As the name suggests, a hybrid publisher combines the pros of traditional publishing with the elements of self-publishing. Functioning like a traditional publisher, with editorial, design and marketing teams, with the exception that the authors subsidize the cost of publishing and will not be given an advance on royalties. The main appeal of hybrid publishing is that authors who cannot (or prefer not to) work with traditional publishers, may still have their book hit the shelves.
The different kinds of hybrid publishers:
1. The partnership model
The most akin to traditional publishing, the hybrid press follows a partnership model which will buy manuscripts that have promise, and lead them through the process of editing and marketing. The difference here is that much of the books’ production costs are paid by the author, and the author will not be paid in advance. Instead, they earn a greater share of the royalties.
2. The crowdfunding model
The author raises the funds to produce their book by appealing to the crowd, which lets the hybrid publisher know that the book is a good bet to make, as there is already an audience that wants to read it. In this model, once the target is met, the press jumps in to craft a high-quality product and provide it to each person who pre-ordered it in the crowdfunding campaign. However, if the author doesn’t manage to raise a minimum amount, the book could be rejected and remain unpublished.
3. The agent-assisted model
When a literary agent knows a book will be a hard sell to the big 5 publishing presses, (for example it is too quirky for a mainstream audience, however, it is beautifully written) the agent may suggest a deal where they produce the book themselves, leveraging their knowledge of the publishing industry.
The difference between hybrid publishers and vanity presses is that a vanity press is willing to publish any author that is willing to pay them. The main thread that connects these 3 models? They maintain high standards, not only producing and marketing books, but editorially as well.
What should you look for in a hybrid publisher?
Look for a press that
a) Defines a vision for its brand. Their selection criteria have a pattern of quality and themes and aren’t willing to publish anything that lands in their inbox.
b) Publishes under its own imprint(s) and ISBNs, and are unable to hide their back catalogue from future authors.
c) Publishes to industry standards, aka has proper typesetting and layout and ensures editorial, design, and production quality.
d) Provides distribution services, and has actively worked to place your book with retailers.
e) Demonstrates respectable sales, and pays the authors a higher than standard royalty, as the author has already invested in the product.
What are the Pros and Cons of publishing with a hybrid publisher?
The Pros:
They may have personable industry connections. As subsidiaries of larger presses, some hybrid publishers may have access to marketing resources
They take care of the nitty-gritty of publishing. As an author who may not have time, energy, or interest in self-publishing, then you might want someone else to do the editorial, design, and marketing work.
They give you a bigger share of royalties than traditional publishing. Like self-publishing, hybrid publishing allows the author to receive royalties for every copy they sell. Unlike traditional publishing that nets 10-15% in royalties for hardcover, 8-10% for paperback, and 25% for an e-book, hybrid publishing can let the author earn up to 50% in royalties.
They offer you more input in the publishing process. If you want more control over the design and marketing, then publishing with a hybrid might be the right choice for you.
The Cons:
They may struggle with marketing and sales. Though the hybrid publishers' editorial and design departments may have high standards, their marketing may struggle to secure publicity and get you spots in local bookshops. Like a self-publishing author, you may need to do the publicity yourself.
The author assumes a fair amount of financial risk. You have to trust that your book will reach the right hands, otherwise, the author has very little recourse to recover their investment.
There may be better opportunities. If your book has commercial potential, you may be better off securing an agent and pitching to traditional publishers. Self-publishing also may be a better option if you’d like more control over every step of the process, as long as you educate yourself on the ins and outs of book typesetting, editing, and marketing. However, if you find you’d rather leave that work to the professionals, then hybrid publishers can be a fulfilling option.
When all is said and done, what matters most is what you prioritize. If you are confident in your ability to manage the publishing process, self-publishing may be the best option. If you’d rather go the traditional route, traditional publishers are a smoother yet more exclusive path to success. If you’d prefer to not bank on making a lot of money, but just want to get your art out there, an indie press may be the most frugal option. However, if you have the money, are willing to make the investment in your art, and are wanting qualified professionals to lead you on your way, hybrid publishing may be your best bet. On your journey to publishing your book, remember that you’ve already done the hardest part, getting it on the page. Be proud of yourself, and know that as natural storytellers, we humans delight in sharing our own tales. Yours is ready to be heard.
KATE GOUGH is a Canadian based poet and a member of the online poetry community. Her work modernizes romantic literary sensibilities and explores recovery from chronic illness and trauma. Her philosophy is one close to the Danish “Hygge” which is, the celebration of cosiness. Warm socks, hot tea, and candlelight are her favourite writing tools.