Is hybrid publishing the same as co-publishing?

Yes, both terms describe a partnership where authors and publishers share costs and responsibilities. You retain input on editing, design, and marketing, unlike self-publishing, where you manage everything. This collaborative approach leverages professional expertise while maintaining your creative vision.

Is How do I know if it’s a good deal?

A good hybrid publishing deal offers transparent fees, professional services (editing, design, marketing), and a fair royalty split. Ensure the publisher is passionate about your work, provides a clear marketing plan, and has a strong reputation to maximise your book’s success.

What are the challenges?

Hybrid publishing requires authors to pay upfront costs, which can be a significant investment. There’s also a risk of choosing a vanity publisher disguised as hybrid. Carefully vet publishers for transparency, quality services, and proven marketing strategies to ensure value for your investment.

What should I look for in a hybrid publisher?

Check the publisher’s reputation, ensuring they have positive author reviews and a track record of success. Review their contract for clear fees and services, especially marketing and distribution plans. Avoid publishers with vague terms or weak marketing strategies.

Can hybrid publishing lead to success?

Many authors achieve success through hybrid publishing, gaining wider audiences and industry attention. The model’s professional support and marketing expertise can lead to strong sales and opportunities like film adaptations, provided you choose a reputable publisher.

Is hybrid publishing right for me?

It depends on your goals, budget, and need for professional support. Hybrid publishing suits authors seeking a balance of control and expertise. Discuss your project with a reputable publisher to assess its fit, ensuring transparency about costs and potential outcomes.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing remains a coveted goal for many authors, offering prestige and professional support but presenting significant challenges, especially for first-time authors.

Traditional publishing is a model where an author signs a contract with a major publishing house to produce, distribute and market their book. An author usually gets a coverted 'Advance' against book sales.

Landing a traditional deal is challenging but achievable with strategy. Polish your manuscript, research publishers accepting your genre and craft a compelling query letter. Be prepared for rejections, as the industry prioritises marketability, but persistence can open doors.

What Is Traditional Publishing?
Key Benefits of Traditional Publishing
5 Steps to Get Traditionally Published
What to Do When Traditional Publishing Doesn’t Work?
Start Today with DreamEngine’s Hybrid Publishing
Submit your work

What Is Traditional Publishing?

Traditional publishing is the established model where an author signs a contract with a publishing house to produce, distribute, and market their book. Major players in the industry—think Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, or Simon & Schuster—dominate book sales through their extensive networks and resources.

These publishers follow a selective process, often prioritising authors with fame or a large social media following, as noted by industry experts. For unknown authors, securing a deal typically requires a literary agent, often through personal introductions, who leverages contacts to pitch compelling stories to publishers.

Without a public profile or agent, breaking into traditional publishing is tough, as the industry leans heavily on marketability over manuscript quality alone.

Key Benefits of Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing offers significant advantages for authors seeking professional support and credibility.

Professional Expertise:

Publishers provide experienced editors, designers, and marketers to polish your manuscript and maximise its market reach, ensuring a high-quality book.

Wider Distribution:

Access to major bookstores, libraries, and online retailers broadens your audience, far beyond what most self-published authors can achieve.

Credibility and Prestige:

A publisher’s imprint lends authority, opening doors to media coverage, awards, and industry opportunities, such as film adaptations.

Financial Support:

Advances, often ranging from £1,000 to £10,000 for new authors, provide income upfront, with royalties (typically 10–20%) following sales.

Marketing Resources:

Publishers handle marketing campaigns, from PR to bookstore placements, increasing visibility in a competitive market.

5 Steps to Get Traditionally Published

To pursue a traditional publishing deal, follow these five essential steps, informed by industry insights:

1. Polish Your Manuscript:

Ensure your manuscript is professionally edited, free of errors, and tailored to your genre’s expectations. A polished submission signals professionalism to agents and publishers.

2. Research Publishers:

Identify publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts or those aligned with your genre (e.g., romance, historical fiction). Check submission guidelines on their websites or resources like Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook.

3. Craft a Compelling Query Letter:

Write a concise, engaging query letter (300–400 words) highlighting your book’s unique hook, genre, and your credentials. Personalise it for each agent or publisher to stand out.

4. Find a Literary Agent:

Secure an agent through networking, referrals, or query submissions, as most major publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. Agents advocate for you, leveraging industry contacts to pitch your work.

5. Submit and Follow Up:

Send your query or manuscript per guidelines, including sample chapters or a synopsis if requested. Track submissions and follow up politely after 6–8 weeks, preparing for potential rejections.

What to Do When Traditional Publishing Doesn’t Work?

The reality is stark: most authors, especially first-timers without a public profile, face rejection after months or years of querying agents and publishers. The pain of pouring your heart into a manuscript only to receive form rejections or silence is real, and we understand how disheartening it can be. The industry’s focus on fame or large social media followings often overshadows even the most compelling stories, leaving talented writers overlooked.

If traditional publishing proves out of reach, you have two viable options: self-publishing or hybrid publishing. Self-publishing offers full control but requires you to manage editing, design, and marketing alone, often leading to low sales without expertise, as seen with authors struggling on Amazon. Hybrid publishing, however, blends professional support with author input, offering a balanced solution. At DreamEngine, our hybrid publishing model provides expert editing, design, and marketing, including Amazon KDP optimisation, while ensuring you retain creative control and earn higher royalties (typically 50/50) than traditional deals. Unlike vanity publishers, we’re transparent about costs and committed to your success, helping you avoid common pitfalls.

Start Today with DreamEngine’s Hybrid Publishing

Pursuing a traditional deal is worthwhile, but the process is slow and competitive, often taking years with no guarantee of success.

Don’t let rejections stall your dream—hybrid publishing offers a faster, professional path to market. At DreamEngine, we craft tailored hybrid publishing plans, leveraging our expertise to optimise your book’s visibility and sales potential.

Whether you’re refining an existing project or starting anew, our team ensures your book shines in a crowded market.

Do you have a great story?

If that's a yes, we want to read it.

Story Submissions

Hybrid Publishing FAQs

Hybrid publishing blends traditional and self-publishing, offering professional services like editing and marketing while allowing authors more control. Authors pay upfront fees for these services but earn higher royalties, typically 50/50, and benefit from faster publication timelines than traditional publishing. This model provides credibility and exposure, enhancing your book’s market presence.

The answer to this will depend on your definition of Vanity Publishing! Our answer is a definite - No! Hybrid publishing differs from vanity publishing, which often lacks selective vetting and robust marketing. Reputable hybrid publishers offer professional services and strategic marketing to boost sales, whereas vanity presses focus on fees with minimal support. Research is key to avoid predatory publishers.