Traditional Publisher vs Vanity Press vs Hybrid Publisher
TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS
Traditional book publishing is when a publisher offers the author a contract - usually with an advance of expected royalties - and, in turn, prints, publishes, and sells your book through booksellers and other retailers. The publisher essentially buys the right to publish your book and pays you royalties from the sales.
If you want to publish a book traditionally, most writers need to find an agent. In order to find one, you must identify the right category for your writing. If you are or want to be a non-fiction writer, you will need to search for agents in that genre and submit a book proposal with three sample chapters and a synopsis of each chapter. If you are writing fiction, you must have your manuscript complete.
Once these steps are accomplished, you're ready to write a query letter. This letter is what you will send to potential agents. Once an agent accepts your book, he or she attempts to sell its rights to a publisher. Typically the agent retains 15% of your advance and royalties.
HYBRID PUBLISHERS ARE NOT VANITY PRESSES
Don't fall victim to the stigma of being published by a vanity press!
A vanity press or vanity publisher is a publishing house where anyone can pay to have a book published. The term "vanity press" is often used pejoratively, implying that an author who uses such a service is publishing out of vanity.
A Hybrid Publisher will:
* Have quality publication standards *
* Have a vested interest in producing a high-quality book *
* Be selective about which books they will publish *
* Offer quality distribution and marketing services *
* Foster professional author/publisher relationships *
* Be transparent about publishing costs and fees *