Mermaid Cove Publishing is not a traditional publisher or a vanity press, but a Hybrid Publisher. As a true hybrid publisher, we are selective in what we publish and we do share the costs, and risks, of publishing, with our authors. Under the hybrid publishing model, both the publisher and the author share the costs of publishing and distributing. In exchange, the author receives a higher-than-industry standard share of sales (royalties). Read on to find out more about hybrid publishing.

In the world of traditional publishing, an author normally must secure a book agent for a publisher to even look at their manuscript. If the agent is good, they secure the author a publishing contract.  Traditional publishers invest time and money in a book they want to publish, and normally prefer to concentrate on authors who have already proven they can sell books in large volumes.

Traditionally, the writer does the writing and the publisher produces, distributes and markets the book, but these days traditional publishers are expecting authors to share more of the marketing duties. This extra work for the author doesn’t always mean more money as the traditional publisher keeps most of the money.  A book advance is usually small, if there is one, and the royalties – paid after the advance is earned out – are often meager.

Hybrid publishers are more like a partner to the author. Both the risks and rewards are distributed more evenly between the two. An author doesn’t need an agent in hybrid publishing; however, hybrid publishers still uphold professional standards and appraise (vet) the idea/manuscript from the author. As with a traditional publisher, the hybrid publisher is also responsible for professionally producing the book, distributing it to multiple points of sale, and participates in marketing activities on behalf of the book.  Many hybrid publishers don’t do print runs, but instead, they’ll use POD (Print-On-Demand) to print books, distributing them through wholesale markets via Ingram or on retails sites like Amazon. Here at Mermaid Cove we will do print runs and distribute books via Ingram.

In hybrid publishing, the author and publisher share the book production costs, depending on their contract, and both participate in marketing.  Due to this, hybrid publishers do not pay advances. However, with hybrid publishing the author retains book rights and can pick and choose individual services.  This type of deal renders more money for the author after publication. Many hybrid publishers offer their authors 50%+ net earnings compared to the 5-10% many traditional publishers offer. In short, an author with a hybrid publisher assumes a share of a book’s financial risk (via paying upfront fees) in exchange for more freedom and flexibility over publication.

Now, on the other hand, you can self-publish your own book with very little money, but to make a profit self-publishers must invest money in their books. Good selling books require many services: editing, proofreading, book design, layout, production, distribution, and marketing. Hiring an editor and proofreader is your first expense, and since most authors do not have the programs or experience for book design and layout, authors find they must also hire a book designer. Another factor to consider when self-publishing is your ISBN. Authors can purchase an ISBN using their own created “imprint” or name. But one ISBN will need to be purchased for every addition of your book (paperback, hardback, ebook, Kindle) and if publishing several formats that can get expensive. Free ISBNs are available from self-publishing sites; however, when you use a “free” ISBN, your imprint appears as “Independently published” on the listing and will affect some marketing attempts to brick and mortar bookstores.

Marketing (beyond the Amazon listing and expanded distribution channels from publishing sites) as a self-published author is time consuming and can get costly. To get your book in local independent bookstores, you need to locate the stores in your area, research their submission guidelines, and have a stock of books available. We have found that some independent bookstores will not accept books printed through Amazon or self-published. Local book festivals and fairs are great ways to market your book; however, keep in mind there are fees to participate, and you will be responsible for taking your own payments. Mermaid Cove helps our authors get their books in local bookstores, and we keep a stock of every book we publish on hand. Our author’s books will be available for sale at the festivals and fairs we attend.

So this is where hybrid publishing comes in to the book publishing arena. With a hybrid publisher, you can work with a single point-of-contact who collaborates with you to decide on which services you want to pay to delegate and compile it into a single publishing package.