happy to be a hybrid author

Those who have been following my chocolate travel blog know that I’ve recently posted about hybrid varietals of cocoa. But I’m pleased to report … I’m now a hybrid author!

Just what is a hybrid author? This is a cool new term that has been applied to the growing number of authors who have been traditionally published (i.e. had a book or books published via traditional commercial publishing companies such as Random House, Penguin, or in the case of my previous book, Dundurn Press of Toronto) and then chose to independently (self) publish their next book.

Why would an author do this? Why would an author choose to leave the comfort and prestige of a well-respected publishing house? Because the world of publishing has changed dramatically with the explosion of social media. Authors now have the means by which to reach their readers directly. They have the means by which to establish a platform and extend their reach to thousands of new readers and people who can help promote their books to an even wider audience. Most authors who are traditionally published are expected to have blogs, Twitter and Facebook accounts at the very least as ways to engage with their readers. If the author is expected to do most of the marketing work anyway, why give away most of the financial rewards of publishing your book to a publisher?

Chocolatour is my 4th book.

Yes, the publisher would cover the costs of physically creating the book, but for that, they retain roughly 90% of the proceeds in a royalty-based contract. And until sales revenue exceeds the amount paid to the author in the form of an advance, the author receives no post-publication royalty payments whatsoever.

So how do authors cover the costs of publication without depleting their savings? Consider crowdfunding. I launched an Indiegogo campaign in the spring, and raised $8,000 in a matter of 30 days between the online and private donations I received. These funds were sufficient to cover the editorial and design costs of the book as well as a small print run. Future print runs will be funded via sales of books already printed and from e-book sales. If you’re interested in what I learned from crowdfunding, you’ll find several earlier posts on this blog that addressed the subject.

What are the other advantages of self-publishing your book?

In addition to the potential for significant profit, there are several advantages pertaining to creative control:

Additional Advantages to Self-Publishing (independently publishing your book)

1) You get to choose the people on your production team. These will include the book designer, editor, photographer, and any other innovative talent that helps you create the book and its platform.

2) You get to choose the cover and artwork for your book. Any author who has worked with a traditional publisher knows that it is they who have the final say on what goes on the cover and on the pages of your book.

3) You get to determine the timing of the book’s release. Most authors who have been traditionally published express frustration with regard to how long it takes a traditional publisher to get the book edited, laid out and printed. It is often six months to one year from the time the author completes the manuscript to the time the book hits the shelves.

4) You get to walk away from book launches and events with cash in your hand. With the publication of my last book, I received a relatively small pre-publication advance and that is all. I never received any royalty payments subsequent to that. Whenever there was a book launch or event in a bookstore, I left the event with only a smile on my face. Now, when people buy books from me, they pay me cash or cheques (or via credit card if the sales are online) and I receive the funds immediately. And I can choose to hold the events at locations that do not charge me to hold the event and that do not take a portion of the sales revenue.

The only drawback to independent publishing is in the distribution of the books. And that is the next lesson I will learn in the realm of independent publishing. It is obvious that traditional publishers have us independent authors beat when it comes to getting the books out to the world. But I’m working on establishing a network that will help me get my book into the hands of its intended audience: chocolate lovers who like to travel.

If you are an author who has self-published a book, please share your experiences with us here. Has it been a good experience for you? Are you a hybrid author?

Hybrid authors may choose to publish some of their titles themselves, and choose to publish via publishers with other titles. I intend to keep all my options open. And I look forward to learning from all of you. Please share your triumphs and challenges. I’ve found the community on this blog to be extremely knowledgeable and supportive. Let’s keep the sharing going for this post, and then please join us back here the week of August 19th for our next new post.