In the ever-changing world of books, publishing no longer fits into just two boxes - traditional or self-publishing. Between these two worlds lies a middle ground known as hybrid publication. Hybrid book publishing is a combination of traditional and self-publishing. In hybrid publishing, the publisher provides editing, design, and marketing services like traditional publishers, but the authors pay for all these upfront costs. In return, authors get higher royalty rates and more creative control, which is mostly not given by most of the traditional publishers.
It's a partnership that allows authors to invest in their work while benefiting from a team of professionals who help shape it into a polished and market-ready book. Though this model may sound like a good deal, it requires careful consideration and a lot of research to find the right and reputable hybrid publisher.
If you have ever wondered how hybrid publishing works and whether it could be the right path for your book, this blog will walk you through everything you need to know.
In traditional publishing, publishers get and pay for the manuscripts they believe in and edit the script to make it market-ready with the help of professionals in every step of the publishing process, from editing to marketing. Traditional publishers pay authors in advance for the rights to publish their work, and all the production costs lie on them, but hybrid publishing is quite different.
In a hybrid publishing cost, the author pays for all the production costs or sometimes shares these costs with the publisher; they do not get any advance for the manuscript. Hence, the publisher is responsible for all editing and marketing processes, while authors just have to pay for it. Some authors also crowdfund some of the initial costs by asking people to pre-order their book and use this money to pay the hybrid publisher. The book is also subject to cancellation if the author does not manage to raise the funds required.
When you choose the hybrid publishing model, it means taking a high financial risk. The author is the one paying for the process, and in exchange, they have to trust that the publishing house is doing what is best for their book. And if all doesn’t go as per the plan, the author has very little recourse to recover the investment they made. Hence, if the book you are writing has great commercial potential, it might be better to choose a traditional publisher. They take all their work seriously and provide assurances to the authors regarding the editing and marketing of the book.
Royalties are a crucial part of the book publishing and sale. Let us see in detail how working with the best hybrid book publishers affects your earnings and royalties.
Hybrid publishing allows authors to take a bigger share of the royalties for every copy they sell. For example, a typical book deal with a traditional publisher nets authors 10-15% in royalties for a hardcover, 8-10% for a paperback, and 25% for an ebook. Hybrid publishing, on the other hand, can let the author take in up to 50% in royalties.
Hybrid publishing lets you keep a bigger share of royalties than most traditional publishing. But there are some traditional publishing houses that provide higher royalties to the author without keeping any profit for themselves. Double9 Books is one such publishing house. When you hire the right professionals to help you, then you will have all the practical support you need and also get all the fruit of the labor to yourself.
The editorial process is the foundation of any book publishing, and hence it needs to go flawlessly for the book to be market-ready.
The hybrid publisher is very selective when it comes to the authors they want to work with and hence, at times, it gets very difficult for authors to get their book published. However, they are traditional publishers like Double9 Books that provide a platform to new authors and make their publishing dream come true with professional expertise. Like a traditional publisher, a legitimate hybrid must ensure that the projects they take on will reflect well on their list of authors and have a reasonable chance of selling well with the book marketing strategies.
Sadly, most publishers who call themselves “hybrids” are just Vanity publishing (a publishing model where authors pay to have their work published, often without selective editorial standards) in disguise, trying to scam authors by misrepresenting their business model. Remember: If they are willing to publish almost any author without a good manuscript who is willing to pay them, then they’re not a hybrid publisher anymore; they are a vanity press.
If you think hybrid publishing can help with the practical tasks like distributing and best book marketing strategies for your book, if not artistic vision, then you need to adjust your expectations a bit lower.
Some of the hybrid publishing houses have sales teams that help to get your print book into stores and markets, which is definitely helpful for anyone who is not sure how book distribution works. The author expects that once they approach hybrid publishing houses, they are sure to achieve success.
A hybrid publisher’s editorial and design department might have experts, but without the marketing team, they also tend to struggle to secure publicity. Which means, like a self-publishing author, you might end up having to take the lead when it comes to generating sales. Unlike traditional publishers, hybrid publishers “only” make 50% of sales, so they have little incentive to boost sales and tend to have smaller budgets in general. As a result, what the best hybrid publishers do to survive is gradually increase production costs, which ends up hurting authors.
There it is, this is all the basis you need to know about hybrid publishing and to make an informed decision whether to opt for the process or not. If you are deciding to go for hybrid publishing, make sure that it is a trusted company that meets the criteria for the top hybrid publishers. Be vigilant, ask questions, and use the internet to your advantage. Or else, the best traditional publishing, Double9 Books, is always there to help you with the expert guidance that you need.
Question 1. How is hybrid publishing different from self-publishing?
Answer: In hybrid publishing, the publisher offers professional support, unlike self-publishing, where the author handles everything alone.
Question 2. Do I keep the rights to my book in hybrid publishing?
Answer: Yes, most hybrid book publishers let authors retain full rights to their work.
Question 3. Is hybrid publishing a pay-to-publish model?
Answer: Yes, authors usually pay upfront, but reputable hybrid publishers offer value through quality services and distribution.
Question 4. Will my book be available in bookstores?
Answer: Possibly, hybrid publishers often have distribution channels and a book marketing plan that can get your book into online and physical stores.
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