The 3 Paths to Publishing a Book (and Why I Chose the Hybrid Route)

Book publishing 101 and the road less published

photo credit: Nikki Finlay

Lucy is the first member of the Online Writing Club I ever met in real life! You might remember her from the cucumber story. She’s a children’s book author, a founding member of our 14,000+ subs tribe, and someone I’ve been lucky to support as she works on publishing her book.

A few weeks ago, I sent Lucy a message mentioning tribe member

Nikki Finlay

, today’s guest post author.

Nikki is an economist and award-winning teacher taking a hybrid publishing path for her book, which will be released in 2026 — and yes, Mel Robbins (yes, that Mel Robbins!) is actually on the board of her publisher.🤯

Hybrid publishing is real, it’s growing fast, and for many writers, especially those who don’t want to wait years or do it all alone, it can be a game-changer.

Here’s why it might be an excellent option for you, too:

• ✅ You don’t have to do everything yourself

• ✅ You can focus on your message and writing

• ✅ You still need to market your book — but you get real support

• ✅ The good hybrid publishers have a full team of pros to help make your book the best it can be

If you’ve ever felt too busy, or like time’s moving way too fast — I feel you.
We've just returned from our two-month vacation (where did the time go?!). Greetings from the North Sea of Germany. The kids are asleep, and I’m sitting on the couch, with Jack Johnson playing in the background. Why Jack Johnson?

We also stopped in the media capital of Germany, Cologne, where I studied journalism. I still remember those drives from Frankfurt…two hours on the road, just me, my thoughts, and Jack Johnson giving me hope and joy for what was ahead.

No social media (Facebook was on the rise back then). No scrolling. No calls. Just the open road and the dream of becoming a writer.

I have many stories to share with you from my road trip through four countries with the family, as well as many interviews and tutorials that are “in the can” and waiting to be released.

But first, let’s see what Nikki shares with us in #8 of the Substack Guest Post Summer👇

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Two paths diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference.

From “A Road Not Taken,” by Robert Frost.

Turns out I had three paths to take.

After two years of waffling about how to publish my book, I decided to go with a hybrid publisher.

You have three options when you want to publish your book:

• ✅You can go with a traditional publisher.

• ✅You can go with a hybrid publisher.

• ✅Or you can self-publish.

Let’s look at each.

What is Traditional Publishing?

Using a traditional publisher, large or small, is the cheapest option. They can provide editorial support and a sales team.

There’s also the cachet you get from using a traditional publisher. Their name on the spine can draw readers to your book.

But going this route also takes the longest amount of time.

The Big Five

The Big Five might pay an advance.

The Big Five publishers are:

• Hachette Book Group,

• HarperCollins,

• Penguin Random House,

• McMillan,

• and Simon & Schuster.

photo credit: bookscouter.com

Small Publishers

Smaller publishers might not pay an advance. They will take a large share of the proceeds from books that sell.

Royalties from this type of publisher run from 10-35 percent depending on the product: ebook, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover.

That’s after you pay back your royalties.

But smaller houses usually don’t require an agent.

If you want a contract with one of the Big Five, you’ll need an agent. They’ll get another portion of the proceeds from sales.

And there are compromises you have to make.

You also won’t have creative control over everything. One prominent Substacker doesn’t like the title or the cover of her book. But there’s nothing she can do.

She’s also found that they didn’t market her book as well as she’d hoped.

The new reality is that publishing a book and getting your advance or costs back requires marketing effort from you.

The next option is self-publishing.

What is Self-Publishing?

Self-publishing your book gives you a lot of options.

You have complete control over your book. The process takes less time. And the royalties are higher, from 35 to 70 percent, depending on discounts from book sellers.

The problem is that you have to be your own contractor. You need to find editors, layout specialists, and a cover designer. You also need to pay for the books if you want to order a stash for events.

Admittedly, Amazon KDP and IngramSpark have made distribution easier. Most self-published authors only sell ebooks. Some sell print-on-demand books.

If the author has taken the time to go through a good editorial process, and can spend enough time on marketing, the book can do well.

However, the process requires considerable effort from the author.

But you can bring your book to market faster by self-publishing.

And then there’s hybrid.

Hybrid is the middle ground between self publishing and traditional.

What is Hybrid Publishing?

Hybrid publishing is the most expensive option.

So, why did I choose that path?

There are a lot of reasons.

First, I’m 65 years old. I don’t want to wait for an agent to accept my book, just to spend more time waiting for the agent to sell it. After publisher acceptance, the book can take two more years to land on the shelves.

I paid for a developmental edit early in the process. Then did a lot of the editing work on my own. I cut editorial costs that way.

I didn’t want to pull a team together either. Finding a cover artist, another editor was more work than I was willing to do.

I wanted the book to have a respected publisher’s name on it.

✔️Amplify is the go-to choice for many of the writers in my writing community.

✔️Another is Page Two, but I didn’t think my book fit in their catalog.

photo credit: The Online Writing Club, Kristina God with logos from APG and Page Two

Whatever path you choose, do the research. There are a lot of self-publishing marketers out there who aren’t true top-tier hybrids.

But the one thing you have to remember, whatever path you choose, is that you’ll have to do your own marketing.

Especially if you’re a debut author with a small audience.

My book: The Economy Always Gets Better: Navigating Turbulent Times with Confidence will be on the shelves in January 2026.

photo credit: Nikki Finlay

I’m now building and growing my email list on Substack!

I’m also starting a Book Launch Club. A small, trusted circle of engaged readers who’ll get:
✅ A free advance copy of my book
✅ An invite to our book launch party 🎉(Kristina will join, too!)

Want in? I’d love to have you!

Thank you for reading.

Nikki

P.S. Ready to learn about the economy, before my book comes out?

Economics for the Rest of Us unlocks the economy in plain English.

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Need Help Getting Your Book Published or Out Into The World?

I’ve got you!
We can meet 1:1, or you can join as a paid member to access all live sessions, interviews, and behind-the-scenes lessons. You’ll hear directly from authors like NYT bestseller Evelyn Skye and rising stars like

Tanmeet Sethi, MD

As a VIPer, I’ll help you reach your goals with quarterly calls and DMs! Especially if it’s about the prelaunch runway, launch day, your Book Launch Club, Launch Party (with lots of balloons!), and marketing your book, I’ll be holding your hand every step of the way.

Thinking About Working With a Hybrid Publisher?

If you’re thinking about working with a hybrid publisher, here’s a quick pro tip:
Before you sign anything, check out the Independent Book Publishers Association’s Hybrid Publisher Criteria.

It’s a super helpful checklist (updated in 2022!) that shows you precisely what a legit hybrid publisher should offer.

I hope it helps you to make a smart, confident choice for your book. You’ve got this!

Let’s get your book into readers' hands.

You don’t have to do it alone.