I interviewed Maggie so that she could enlighten us on the mystical topic of “hybrid publishing.” What you’ll get in this episode of Bleeding Ink is a better understanding of what traditional publishers provide their authors—and if you are willing to put your own skin in the game, how to obviate your need of a large publisher, and how to keep your royalties and rights (at a much greater upfront cost). It’s a fascinating approach—though the cost might dissuade some right off the bat (we are talking $30k from idea to book) and it will push you toward traditional publishing (because you don’t have the budget) or it will make you scream for joy since you can essentially skip the gatekeepers without sacrificing quality.

Bear with me. Maggie and LifeTree provide authors a team of seasoned professionals that are as good as, if not better than, what a new author would receive at from a Big Five contrract. This is it: the start of the Big Five model’s dissolution. In its stead will rise a new medium that enables and supports authors rather than eek dollars out of their blood-soaked fingers. While the cost to play might be high, it won’t be forever. Welcome to the new frontier.

You’ll learn the benefits and limitations of traditional and self-publishing. You’ll learn how to avoid scammy hybrid promises. You’ll get a glimpse at self-publishing’s history, and why we are so fortunate today. You’ll understand how and why bookstore distribution will separate you from the pack. You’ll learn all this and more.

Takeaways

• The benefits and limitations of traditional and self-publishing, and how hybrid publishing attempts to take the best from both models
• Three tips for how to evaluate a legitimate hybrid publisher
• Why we should strive to publish “real” books
• Get a glimpse of what self-publishing looked like in the 80s, and why we are ever so fortunate to possess the publishing tools we have today
• Why the ability to distribute your book in stores separates self-publishing from traditional publishing
• How LifeTree media can take your fledgling book idea and turn it into a veritable force of good
• What to consider when hiring editors and designers
• The importance of developmental editing
• The costs associated with publishing—and how to understand the return on investment for your dollars
• Why a hybrid publisher can be an excellent choice if you have a thriving audience
• Why you need a team of sales reps selling your novel to stores

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