If you have been beavering away writing and are thinking how to publish, or getting help to publish a book, this is for you!
There are huge differences between Traditional, Self and Hybrid (often known previously as Vanity) publishing. From the process to be being accepted, the rights you sign over in the contract, the royalties you can expect; and the decisions you will get to make for your book.
Don't try to run before you can walk, writing and the process of getting your book 'out there' is a marathon, not a sprint. Rushing leads to sometimes very costly mistakes.
Learn about and consider which publishing route is right for the book you are writing now, because later books might suit a different kind of publishing, and that is ok.
Traditional publishing, this is what a lot of people think of when they talk about publishing. There is still some snobbishness that this is the best route. If you write in a sub genre, or do not want to sign over your rights, then it probably isn't.
Self-publishing, also called independent publishing lets you decide just about everything. Royalties can be significantly more, but that’s because it is a lot more work! average self-published author sells 250 books a year (and only 1000 in a books entire lifetime) and earns £800 a year. No-one is getting rich quick here, and I throw a big pinch of salt at anyone who jumps up and says they have with a first or second book.
Hybrid companies make money from their authors, not from selling books. If you know this and are ok with a bill that ranges from three to ten thousand pounds for getting that one book out, well ok then. My rule has been, and will always be, do not pay to publish!
If you would like to learn a lot more about each kind of publisher, to help you make a good decision there is masterclass for you.
How To Choose A Publisher Masterclass