How to Research and Evaluate a Hybrid Publisher
We periodically feature guest input from other publishing professionals. Please enjoy these insights from Jenny Lisk.
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If you’re currently writing a book, or even have a finished manuscript in hand, you’ve probably thought about the next step: How will it be published?
Maybe you’ve struck out in the search for an agent or traditional publisher. Perhaps the prospect of self-publishing feels daunting. You may have heard about “hybrid publishing” and wondered if it’s the solution you’re looking for.
Hybrid publishing is supposed to deliver the best of both worlds: high quality, well-edited books, published according to industry standards—but with the author paying for editing, cover design, printing, and other work needed to bring the book to market. In exchange for the author fronting the cost (and risk), they get a much higher share of royalties than they would with a traditional publisher.
The best hybrid publishers also have access to what is called “trade distribution,” which is nearly impossible to secure on your own. This means they actively sell your book into brick-and-mortar stores, just like a traditional publisher would—a major benefit of choosing a top-tier hybrid.
Unfortunately, the quality of hybrid publishers varies dramatically. Some are known for being objectively bad, with significant complaints and even lawsuits against them. Some do a decent job—but too many, in my opinion, don’t do any better than a smart self-publisher can do with professional help.
If you’re exploring hybrid publishing, consider these suggestions for vetting potential partners:
Check out other books they’ve published
Visit their website or search for the publisher’s name on Amazon. Take a good look at the books they’ve published in the last few years. Consider:
Are their books similar to yours, broadly speaking? For example, if you’re a business author, do they publish plenty of business books, or do they primarily publish memoir, self-help, or even fiction?
Are their covers professional-looking and genre-appropriate?
Check the books’ Amazon pages. How many reviews do they have? Do reviewers complain about the editing? Is the sales copy well-written and compelling? If you click on the “look inside” feature, does the book interior look professional?
The goal here is to check out whether the company is publishing professional-looking books that align with yours. Ask yourself: Would I be proud to see my book among them?
Google them
Search for the publisher’s name, or their name plus “reviews.” Read enough of the comments, blog posts, or reviews that you get a sense for how they operate and whether authors have been happy with their services. The worst hybrids—those with legal action against them and many author complaints—should surface easily.
Check their rating with ALLi
The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has a Watchdog Desk where they maintain ratings of many hybrids and other publishing services providers. Not all hybrid publishers are included on their list, but it’s worth checking, because many are.
Request a meeting
If your research suggests one or more hybrid publishers as good options, set up a meeting or discovery call. Their website should indicate how to do this.
In your meeting, they will likely explain their publishing packages or options, along with the cost and what’s included. Come prepared with your own questions, too.
You’ve likely already thought of some. Maybe you want to know how long it will take to publish, what marketing support is included, and how royalties are calculated.
Here are a few questions you may not yet have on your list:
What are your criteria for accepting books? What percentage do you accept?
What rights will you hold as the publisher? Which will I retain as the author?
What types of editing are included? How does your editorial process work? Which style guide do you use? (Hint: The right answer, assuming you’re publishing in North America, is Chicago Manual of Style.)
Do you have trade distribution? If so, who (specifically) is your distributor?
Do you use “print on demand” or print runs? If print on demand, which platforms do you use? If print runs, who pays for printing, and how is the size of the initial print run determined?
Would you apply for any trade reviews or awards on my behalf? If so, which ones? Who pays these fees?
How would you handle it if I needed to update my cover or interior files after publication?
When would our contract expire, and what happens with my book then?
It’s important to understand what you’re getting—and not getting—with any publisher you may consider. To go deeper on this topic, consult my free guide, “22 Questions to Ask a Hybrid Publisher.”
Conclusion
If you’re considering a hybrid publisher, vet them thoroughly before signing up. There are some good hybrids who are committed to quality and follow publishing industry standards. There are, however, far too many who don’t.
Finally, remember this rule of thumb: Real, high-quality publishers almost never reach out to you. Those that do are likely a scam. They may not be a total scam—they may publish your book rather than simply running off with your money—but they will probably charge far too much for a sub-par job.
Consider your options carefully, and unless you’re prepared to go with a top-tier hybrid with access to trade distribution, keep in mind that you may be better off professionally self-publishing. I’ve guided many authors through this process, and together we’ve published books nearly indistinguishable from traditionally published books.
Congratulations on your forthcoming book, and best of luck as you navigate your options.