What is a hybrid publisher? Our approach at WTD Press

What is hybrid publishing?

WTD Press takes a collaborative approach, offering a hybrid publishing model. This means the author and publisher agree to clearly defined roles and cost sharing agreements as defined in their contract. A hybrid publisher offers a sweet spot between traditional publishing and self-publishing, with a lot of flexibility, extra support, and a great royalty split at the end.

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So what’s the difference between traditional publishing and hybrid publishing?

Traditional publishing and hybrid publishing differ in some important ways, primarily in how the money and timelines are handled.

Production costs

Traditional publishers may cover most or all of the costs of production for your book. Hybrid publishers typically pass that cost on to the authors or provide support in raising the funds for production. 

Royalties

Traditional publishers famously offer minimal royalties, which may or may not only come after the money from an advance has been made back. Most hybrid publishers offer a 50% or better royalty split, taking a portion of the royalty as payment for their production support but ensuring the author gets a solid chunk of the payout. 

Editorial standards

Traditional publishers have a set of standards they abide by including what kinds of books they accept, how books are edited, and what the quality of the manuscript should be at the end. Hybrid publishers worth their salt also have standards and take their books through a similar set of quality controls. 

At WTD Press, we operate on a three-stage-minimum model for editing, making sure each book goes through a developmental edit, a line edit, and a proofread at minimum. The editor-in-chief also takes a final pass to ensure each book meets the quality standards set in place by the press.

Distribution, marketing, and sales

Traditional presses have access to a large number of distribution outlets, but they may or may not opt to do a lot of legwork in terms of marketing and sales depending on management decisions and market factors. Hybrid presses share an investment in seeing your book do well, and many will help with marketing and sales even if their distribution lists are smaller than those at a traditional press.

So why choose hybrid publishing?

Many authors have found success in traditional publishing, and many more now opt for self-publishing. So why choose hybrid publishing, the third option? We think it’s a great middle ground, and we’ve got a list of reasons why.

  • A good hybrid publisher helps ensure your draft becomes the best book it can possibly be, but it doesn’t overstep into your creative space as an author—and it ensures you retain the rights to your work. Where traditional publishers might order an ending changed or buy you out of your ownership rights, a hybrid publisher will suggest options to improve the quality of your ending that you can choose from, and it will ensure your book remains your intellectual property.

  • Self-publishing can be a tempting option, especially when you realize you keep all the profits from every sale. But many authors find themselves reeling when they realize they have to become the project manager of their own book after they’ve already poured their heart into a manuscript. Hybrid presses offer the project management and quality control that helps put authors at ease through the second part of the book development process: production and sales.

  • Because a hybrid model requires author investment, royalty rates are higher than traditional publishing houses, who may offer as little as 5% in royalties. In contrast, hybrid publishers typically offer a 50% or better royalty split.

  • A real hybrid press vets its publications, providing the kind of external backing self-publishing doesn’t offer. While we love self-published authors and know that there are a lot of high quality books out there, having a publisher shows your readers you’ve been through quality checks and other people love your book too. That can make a huge difference when it comes time to sell your book.

  • Hybrid publishers can work at the speed of light compared to traditional publishers. Traditional publishing houses operate on strict timelines that can put your book in a holding pattern for years while it works its way through the chain. With hybrid publishing, you can work as fast as you and your publisher agree to.

  • A hybrid press can help you get your book in more hands than you likely can on your own. They can help navigate the ins and outs of getting your book out into the world both digitally and in brick-and-mortar stores.

The Independent Book Publisher Association (IBPA) Hybrid Publisher Criteria

The Independent Book Publisher Association (IBPA) maintains a list of criteria by which quality hybrid presses should operate. Here’s a short analysis of their key points: 

  • Each publisher should have a mission and vision for its program. This helps define the catalog so authors and readers understand the kind of books they’ll find with each publisher. 

  • Submissions go through a review process. Hybrid publishers should have an in-house editor or team of editors who review each submitted manuscript and accept/reject according to quality and alignment. 

  • Publishers work with transparency and honesty. Contracts should be clear and commitments should be honored.

  • Hybrid presses should offer simple and negotiable contracts with the imprint and ISBNs to back it up. Once you are accepted, the contract you sign should be easy to understand, and you should feel free to negotiate.

  • Quality control is top of the list. Hybrid publishers should provide industry standard publishing and make sure your book is well-edited, has a sharp design, and has a great-looking layout at the end of your work.

  • Distribution and sales matter. A hybrid publisher can help you sort out where your book should go once it’s out. They may have more or less access to major distribution services, but they should always be willing to find out more and help you get your book out there, supporting you through the sales process in a respectable manner.

  • Royalties are better than traditional publishing houses. Authors should expect to receive a royalty split of 50% or greater from hybrid presses.

Choose a hybrid publisher to help you bring your fantastic world to life

Connect with WTD Press today to find out more about our consulting services or respond to an open call.

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What is a hybrid publisher FAQs

The cost of publishing your book with a hybrid publisher depends on your skillset, your network, and the rules set by your publisher. Typically, authors pay the cost of editing, design, and certain print costs, and the publisher provides the network of professionals, project structure, consulting, and marketing assistance. Total costs for this can run between $3,000 and $15,000 (or more) depending on the manuscript quality and what elements can be insourced.

WTD Press works with authors to keep costs manageable and offers support with running a Kickstarter to offset the costs of publication.

How much does it cost to publish a book with a hybrid publisher?

1

Yes, with hybrid publishing, you retain your own ISBN (unless you opt to publish via KDP’s free ISBN or something similar from another outlet) and release distribution rights to your publisher. This means you are the sole owner of your work, and both you and your publisher have the right to sell your work under the agreement you signed in your contract.

Will I retain rights to my book with hybrid publishing?

2

Hybrid publishing can take as short or as long a time as you and your publisher agree on. From the point of an accepted manuscript to publication, a good estimate is to budget about a year. This allows plenty of time for planning, multiple rounds of editing, cover design, layout, and marketing. Some books may take less time, as little as 4-6 months, and some may take more. 

WTD Press offers timeline guidance but does not hand down deadlines as many traditional publishing houses do. All deadlines are agreed on by both the author and the publisher, and the only hard deadline is the actual date of publication—and even that can be changed in a real emergency!

How long does hybrid publishing take?

3

Is hybrid publishing legitimate?

4

Yes, hybrid publishing is legitimate, but not all companies advertising themselves as hybrid publishers function as described in this article. Many vanity presses now use the term “hybrid” when really all they do is provide the nuts and bolts services of printing your book. These vanity presses specialize in self-publishing support, but they do not offer editorial guidance.

If you’re looking for the editorial vetting process and skilled project management support that comes with having a real press behind your name, make sure you carefully examine your publisher’s website and have a meeting with them before signing any documents.

5

Is hybrid publishing better than self-publishing?

No, hybrid publishing is just one of several valid methods of getting your work out into the world, and it may be better for you depending on your goals, circumstances, and network. With self-publishing, everything is on your shoulders, from drafting all the way through sales. Every task you need help with falls to you to manage and source, and if it’s not already available in your network, this can mean a lot of time and research to find the right person to help.

If you’re the type who gets overwhelmed by details or you have the network of an introverted housecat, hybrid publishing can offer you a leg up on the crusty parts of authorship. Hybrid publishers give you the security of a project manager and a network, and of course, the backing of a team of professionals who have read and fallen in love with your story.