"To pay the publisher" means to give money to the company or person that prints, distributes, or sells a book, magazine, or other form of written or printed material. Full definition
In this type of contract, the author pays the publisher for some or all of the editing, publishing, and / or distribution costs to produce the book. (writerunboxed.com)
She's not paying a publisher back with those sales — she's paying herself back. (wiseinkblog.com)
Aren't you losing money by paying publishers 50 % of the cover price for a $ 25 hardcover and selling it for $ 9.99? (latimes.com)