A
"hybrid publisher" is a type of publishing company that combines elements of traditional publishing and self-publishing. They usually charge authors for some services like editing and cover design, but also offer benefits such as wider distribution and professional expertise.
Full definition
However, in practice, we've seen too many authors get burned
by hybrid publishers who looked reputable at first glance.
See additional considerations below for more information about
how hybrid publishers differ from other author - subsidized models.
A
good hybrid publisher will offer you something of value that you might not have the time, talent, or desire to do yourself.
Additionally, authors need to watch out for what
hybrid publishers make them pay for: for example, do authors need to pay for their own print runs?
The author is an important part of the process for
most hybrid publishers, and they will have creative input along the way, although not total control.
A traditional publisher, and even
many hybrid publishers these days, will take anywhere from 50 % to 90 % of your book's profits for the entire lifespan of your book.
Here's what I think most people can agree on:
Hybrid publishers combine aspects of traditional publishing and self - publishing.
While many newcomers have just started to discover metadata, some
seasoned hybrid publishers have recently tried everything to get to the top of the search lists.
Unfortunately, I didn't have room there to discuss
how hybrid publishers compare to vanity or subsidy publishers.
Creating a clear list of
hybrid publisher criteria is good for authors as well as publishers, according to Authors Guild Executive Director Mary Rasenberger.
I've also worked
with hybrid publishers such as Harlequin's digital - first imprint Carina Press and Amazon Publishing.
Most companies offer an excellent service, but just be aware that there is a small minority of these self - publishing services (sometimes
called hybrid publishers) who charge a considerable fee and promise results above and beyond the publishing process; results that are not always backed up by hard evidence.
Hybrid publishers use an author - subsidized business model, as opposed to financing all costs themselves, and in exchange return a higher - than - industry - standard share of sales proceeds to the author.
Whether it's to create an audiobook, distribute it around the world or both, Findaway Voices is a recently launched company that can help self - publishers and
hybrid publishers do just that.
According to the Independent Book Publisher's Assocation (IBPA), «
hybrid publishers behave just like traditional publishers in all respects, except when it comes to business model.
Mark has posted a more detailed outline of how
hybrid publishers differ from vanity or subsidy publishers on the BookWorks site Discussion Forums, where he will also answer member questions.
If that isn't enough,
hybrid publishers set the price for the book (often higher than market value) and charge you a premium for the books you purchase.
From: David Gaughran Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 3:52 AM To: Info Subject: Article
on Hybrid Publisher «standards» of IBPA
Tanya Hall, CEO of the well - respected, two - decade -
old hybrid publisher Greenleaf, says her industry needs to rethink its «one size fits all» model.
Because of this,
hybrid publishers often describe themselves as a democratizing force — tearing down the restrictions that have stymied so many potential authors.
Brown Books opened its doors in 1994, and was the
first hybrid publisher, a business model now recognized by the Independent Book Publishers Association as a traditional publishing company in all respects except the authors own the rights to their titles and receive a higher - than - industry - standard share of sales proceeds.
In
comparing hybrid publishers with vanity presses, it's important to note that vanity presses are not selective in what they publish, nor are they set up to be.