If you’re here, you’re probably researching your publishing options, right? It can certainly be daunting to dive into this vast, multilayered industry, especially when there’s tons of conflicting information out there. How should you sort out the good advice from the questionable ideas and the downright wrong information?
The publishing model that tends to get the most wide-ranging feedback online is hybrid publishing—perhaps because it’s the newest option and the least understood. As a result, there are a few common misconceptions that take up a lot of space on Reddit threads and other forums. Here are three of the most prevalent myths associated with hybrid publishing and the truth behind each one.
1. You shouldn't pay for publishing.
Traditional publishing—what typically comes to mind when people think of publishing—does involve the publisher taking on the upfront cost of publishing. Of course, the author still pays for publishing . . . just not until after publication. They pay through royalties, often getting only 5 percent after the publisher and agent (not to mention the retailer and distributor) have gotten their hefty share.
But all that aside, there are clear and colossal shifts occurring in the industry as authors begin to seek something more from a publisher. Yes, they want the professionalism, industry expertise, and distribution connections that trad publishers have to offer. But they aren’t so keen to give up the rights and creative input to the book they’ve poured so much into, and they often don’t have the time or patience to go through months or years of querying literary agents and publishers.
This largely contributed to the advent of self-publishing and is now giving way to a solution that seeks to combine the best aspects of both traditional and self-publishing: the hybrid model. Although there may be small variations from one hybrid publisher to another, the idea is that the author gets to retain complete ownership over the project and maintain creative control while professionals manage each step of the process. Plus, they get to keep most or sometimes all of the royalties. Yes, the author has to pay for the professional services they receive on the frontend, but with the right publishing partner and commitment to getting their book into the hands of readers, they should have every opportunity for success.
Put simply, hybrid publishing is all about democratizing the industry. The intense gatekeeping model of traditional publishing is becoming a thing of the past. Self-publishing's complete lack of a gate makes it hard for self-published authors to stand out from the lackluster books that are being pumped out at a low quality. With the happy medium presented by hybrid model, publishing is more accessible than ever and often well worth the investment.
2. Hybrid publishers are just vanity presses.
It’s true that some publishers are vanity presses masquerading as hybrid publishers or author service providers. These are the places that publish anything for the right price—with no regard for the quality of the work or the potential for success. It’s all about helping someone slap their name on a book cover so they can say “I’m an author”—hence the term “vanity.”
However, true hybrid publishers aren’t willing to take any and every project that comes their way. They are discerning about the titles they choose to publish, taking into account what will uphold their strong brand and what they believe will do well in the book market. They don’t partner with authors for a payday—they do what they do because they are passionate about their work and believe that everyone with a great book idea should have the opportunity to publish professionally.
This is why at Ballast Books we have a vetting process when taking on new authors. From the moment someone sends a submission, we begin critically evaluating the viability of the idea, the author’s goals behind the project, and the support we believe we can provide along the way. This is how we ensure we are only bringing on board the best projects that we truly believe in and otherwise guiding prospective authors in a direction that better fits their needs.
Then, when an author does officially sign on with Ballast Books, we prioritize quality every step of the way while honoring the author’s vision for the project. When we edit a manuscript, we provide critical feedback on structure, readability, pacing, and language and ensure grammatical accuracy as well as alignment with Chicago Manual of Style while preserving the author’s message and voice. When it comes to cover design, webring to life the author’s ideas and incorporate industry standards to create a first impression that captivates prospective readers. Even the interior layout requires industry expertise to ensure everything is in excellent shape, from the margins for righthand pages versus lefthand pages to any interior graphics and stylistic choices. In the end, our authors find themselves holding in their hands the book of their dreams, the culmination of all their hard work and dedication to their message, mission, and/or brand. There’s nothing “vanity” about it.
3. Hybrid publishing is transactional.
When a publisher pushes you to get out your credit card during the first conversation, urges you to make a decision immediately, or shunts you from one person to another before you’ve even had a chance to wrap your head around this whole publishing thing—yeah, that’s a company that is all about the transaction. (Chances are that they’re a vanity press, so mind those red flags.)
A hybrid publisher in the truest sense isn’t going to prioritize the transaction of money over everything else. Their northstar is always going to be the author’s goals, needs, and vision, and for that to happen, there has to be a solid, trusting relationship between publisher and author.
This is why relationship building is central to most everything we do at Ballast Books. From our first conversations with authors before they even sign on with us, we seek to understand the inspiration behind their story, the goals they’re aiming to achieve, the impact they want to make. Then, throughout the entire process, we take a highly collaborative approach as we take care of all the details and then present options to the author to get their feedback and ensure their vision is being upheld. Our authors trust us to transform their initial concept into a physical book that’s everything they ever dreamed of, knowing their voice is heard every step of the way and they can enjoy a rewarding experience from production to publication and beyond.
When an author talks to an acquisitions editor at the very beginning of their journey, they work with that person along with a production editor from beginning to end. In a sense, they have their own personal cheerleaders guiding them through the process and celebrating each new publishing milestone, from finalizing the manuscript to approving the cover art to proudly announcing the book launch. Our authors’ goals and aspirations become ours, and we love nothing more than to celebrate with them as their book comes to fruition and becomes a critical part of their life’s work.
Yes, there are some misconceptions about hybrid publishing out there, but when done right, it’s about partnership, not payment. Now that you’ve busted those myths, are you interested in digging deeper into how we bring our authors’ books to life? Visit the Ballast Books website to connect with an acquisitions editor. We are always happy to help prospective authors evaluate whether hybrid is the publishing model for them.