Skip to content

Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi

Ghostwriting | Rewriting | Coaching

Menu
  • About
    • Children’s Ghostwriting Team
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Coaching
    • Chapter Book Coaching
    • MIDDLE GRADE BOOK COACHING PROGRAM
  • DIY
    • Fiction Writing for Children eCourse
    • Resources for Writers
    • Self-Publishing Help
  • Ghostwriting
  • Karen’s Books
  • Rewriting
    • Copy Editing, Line Editing, Substantive Editing
  • Testimonials
  • Writing for Children
Menu

Publishing Your Book the Hybrid Way

Posted on by Karen Cioffi

As with everything, the publishing industry has changed. With the difficulty in getting a traditional contract through queries and proposals and the hands-on learning and doing of ‘real’ self-publishing, there is a third option: Hybrid publishing.

So, what exactly is hybrid publishing?

According to Ingram Spark, “Hybrid publishing combines some elements of traditional publishing with those of independent publishing.” (1)

But, that definition is a bit vague as there are different formats within hybrid publishing.

The partnerships

There are some hybrid companies that offer publishing assistance. These companies have expertise in the arena, whether it’s editorial, design, marketing, or all aspects. This type of publishing has a form of gatekeeping to ensure quality. They will NOT print just anything.

While an upfront fee is required, it’s more of a partnership. These companies work with you. They’re vested in your book’s success. They make money from sales just like you do.

The pay to play companies

Then there are the hybrid companies that will publish anything as long as the author pays for it. There is no quality control. Back when, vanity presses were noted for this. These companies don’t care if you sell a single book, they already got their money.

And, there are variations in between. So, pretty much, any company that helps you get your manuscript published and turned into an ebook or paper book for a fee is a hybrid company.

It really is confusing.

In fact, a while after I published this article, I received a query to ghostwrite for a hybrid company. Looking into the company, I found that the author paid 100% of the publishing fees and the service took a percentage of each copy sold besides that. My first thought was how could they call themselves a hybrid – they’re a full fledged vanity press.

Again, it really is confusing.

Even if you’re offed 100% royalties, be suspicious.

Publisher’s Weekly has an excellent in-depth article on hybrid publishing. It’s definitely worth the read if you’re thinking of paying to help get your book published: The Indie Author’s Guide to Hybrid Publishing

And, publishing expert Jane Friedman offers great advice on How to Evaluate a Hybrid Publisher

What they all have in common

Before you can think about self-publishing a book, no matter what route, you need to write a story. And, since your name will be on that story as author, you should write a quality story, one that you’ll be proud of.

I can help with that. I’m a children’s ghostwriter and rewriter and can turn your idea into a publishable story. Or, if you have a draft, but it needs a lot of work, I can rewrite it for you.

If you’d like to discuss a project, send me an email at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com

You can also check the Contact Page for my phone number if you’d prefer discussing it over the phone.

If your children’s manuscript is complete and need help publishing it, check out Writers on the Move Self-Publishing Help.

References
(1) Publishing Options: Traditional, Hybrid, Self-Publishing

MORE ON WRITING

Small Home Grown Book Publishers

Secondary Characters – Are They Important?

Writing Descriptions – 4 Tips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

Karen Cioffi is a working children's ghostwriter, editor, and coach who would love to help you become author of your own children's book. Just send an email to kcioffiventrice@gmail.com

SCAM ALERT

There are ghosting sites that are stealing the profiles of reputable ghostwriters and putting them on their sites. MY SERVICES ARE ONLY OFFERED HERE. If you see my profile on another site stating I work for them, they’re scammers.

Want to write a children's book, but feel lost? Need help getting started or finishing? I can help.
Help with self-publishing your children's manuscript.

Recent Posts

  • Writing Beyond Cultural Borders: Controversy or Creativity?
  • Reach More Readers by Going Bilingual
  • Unpublishing a Book on Amazon?
  • Children’s Series Characters: Why Kids Love Them and How to Write Them
  • Writing: Don’t Let Fear of Failure Hold You Back

Categories

Write a children's book with help from How to Write a Children's Fiction Book
250+ pages of all content that will help you write your own children's book.
NEW VERSION OF WALKING THROUGH WALLS COMING SOON. Fantasy chapter book set in 16th century China.
Perfect rhyming children's bedtime story with lullaby sheet music included.
Sweet rhyming bedtime story with the sheet music to the lullaby included!
Can Thomas and his friends save the puppy tangled in plastic rings?

Alliance of Independent Authors

ALLi Partner Member

AuthorsDen


Where authors and readers come together!

© 2025 Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme