Episode 014 | Traditional, Indie, and Hybrid Publishing
https://media.blubrry.com/therookiewritershow/p/content.blubrry.com/therookiewritershow/TRWS_014.mp3
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
HOT TIP: If you only click on one thing here, this is the one: The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2019-2020 by Jane Friedman, the guru of all gurus when it comes to the writing business
Traditional Publishing
Best if you want to be certain to be eligible for traditional awards and prizes and/or want to have the best chance of seeing your physical books in bookstores
Best if you don’t have resources available upfront – you’re paid before your book is released, more commonly known as an “advance,” which you must “earn out” (read: pay back) before you collect any royalties from sales of your book
Requires the most persistence/resilience – usually requires that you secure an agent before you can submit your manuscript to publishers, though some smaller presses will allow you to submit your manuscript directly to them
Requires the most patience – the book industry can move at a glacial speed
Resources
The 5 Year Plan to Becoming a Bestselling Author (Course) by Thomas Umstattd Jr. and Jim Rubart
How to Get Published – 6 Steps to a Traditional Publishing Deal by Jon Reed
Start Here: How to Get Your Book Published by Jane Friedman
Indie Publishing
Also known as “Independent Publishing” and “Self-Publishing”
Has emerged as a viable option since 2000
Best if you like to have creative and business control over your work. No gatekeepers or support staff – you make all the decisions and do all the work, though you can (and should) hire help in the form of editors, cover designers, etc. Organizations like Reedsy and New York Book Editors can help with that, as can print-on-demand distributors like IngramSpark, BookBaby, and Blurb book aggregators like Draft2Digital, Smashwords, Gatekeeper Press, PublishDrive and StreetLib
Authors keep a higher percentage of the profit from book sales and retain all rights
Requires more upfront resources
Requires a high degree of self-discipline as no one will set deadlines for you
Resources
Best and Worst Self-Publishing Services Reviewed & Rated by the Alliance of Independent Authors
Heart Breathings Publish and Thrive (Course) by Sarra Cannon
5 One-Stop Shop Self-Publishing Services for Print & Ebooks by Carla King
IngramSpark Academy: Self-Publishing Essentials (Free course)
Self-Pub Boot Camp by Carla King
2019 eBook Distribution Round-Up | Aggregators Comparison Chart and FAQs by David Wogahn
Smashwords vs. BookBaby vs. Draft2Digital by K.J. Farnham
Hybrid Publishing
Also known as “Co-Publishing” and “Entrepreneurial Publishing”
In exchange for a share of their profits, authors partner with hybrid publishers who take care of many of the distribution and design aspects of the publishing process
Not to be confused with a Hybrid Author, which is someone who publishes both traditionally and independently
Not to be confused with Vanity Publishing (or Vanity Presses) who primarily serve to publish small runs of books with no plans for marketing or distribution (e.g. a family cookbook)
Examples: She Writes Press, Evolved Publishing, EverAfter, and Inkshares
The degree to which the author retains all copyrights and editorial control will vary by publisher
The percentage of profit going to the author will vary by publisher and publishing package chosen
Resources
Best and Worst Self-Publishing Services Reviewed & Rated by the Alliance of Independent Authors
Hybrid Publishers: What are they and should you TRUST them? by Reedsy
The Indie Author’s Guide to Hybrid Publishing by Nicole Audrey Spector
List of Hybrid Publishers by TCK Publishing
MORE HELP FOR CHOOSING YOUR PATH
HB90 Bootcamp by Sarra Cannon
The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2019-2020 by Jane Friedman
Indie vs Traditional Publishing: Which Path Is Right for You? by Colleen Hoover
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing Course by Reedsy (Instructor: Martin Cavannagh)
How to Get a Book Published: All the Major Options Reviewed, with Pros and Cons for Each by Jerricho Writers
Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing – What to Choose? by Killer Book Covers
Publishing Options: Traditional, Hybrid, and Self-Publishing by Ingram Spark
Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn
Do your best to dial into what’s really important to you as a writer (especially what motivates you), the stage you’re at in your life (especially where resources like time and money are concerned), and your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate your publishing options while keeping those important variables in mind and you’ll be a long way toward choosing the right path for you.
Until next time, happy writing, people!
#hybridpublishing #indie #entrepreneurialpublishing #copublishing #independentpublishing #publishingpaths #selfpublishing #traditionalpublishing #bookaggregators #hybridauthor #tradpub #indiepub #indiepublishing #printondemand