The world of publishing is like a vast, sprawling city with many different neighborhoods—each offering something unique. Whether you’re a seasoned author or just getting started, understanding the different types of publishers can help you navigate this landscape and find the best path for your work. Let’s break down the main types of publishers and what they bring to the table.

When you think of publishing, traditional publishing might be the first thing that comes to mind. This is the route where a publishing house takes the reins, managing everything from editing and design to distribution and marketing. Authors submit their manuscripts, and if accepted, they sign a contract granting the publisher rights to the book in exchange for royalties.

Why Consider It?
Traditional publishing offers extensive professional support, often leading to higher visibility and wider distribution networks. The publisher invests heavily in the process, expecting to profit significantly, but this also means they share in the risks.

​Practical Tip: Focus on crafting a compelling book proposal to increase your chances of being accepted by a traditional publisher.

Self-publishing is like being the captain of your own ship. You decide when and how to publish, but you also handle or outsource every step of the process—from editing to marketing. This path gives you complete creative control and potentially higher royalties per book since you’re not sharing profits with a publisher.

Why Consider It?
This model is ideal for authors who want full control over their work and are willing to invest time and money to bring their vision to life. You get to keep the lion’s share of the profits, but it’s also up to you to learn the ropes of the publishing world.

​Practical Tip: Invest in professional editing and cover design to ensure your book stands out in the crowded self-publishing market.

Hybrid publishing is like getting the best of both worlds. It blends aspects of traditional and self-publishing, with authors paying for some services while the publisher handles others, like distribution and marketing. This approach provides more support than self-publishing, with a smaller royalty split than traditional publishing.

Why Consider It?
Hybrid publishing can be a great option if you want more support than self-publishing offers but still desire more control and a higher percentage of royalties than you’d get with a traditional publisher.

​Practical Tip: Carefully vet hybrid publishers to ensure they offer the services you need and have a good reputation in the industry.

Vanity publishing is a route where authors pay to have their books published. Unlike traditional or hybrid publishers, vanity publishers usually do not select manuscripts based on their potential for commercial success. Instead, they publish any book as long as the author can pay, often with minimal investment in the book’s market performance.

Why Consider It?
While vanity publishing allows you to see your work in print, it often comes with a steep price and little support for promoting your book. The financial risk is high, and the return on investment can be low.

​Practical Tip: Be cautious with vanity publishers and consider if the potential benefits outweigh the costs. Research thoroughly before committing.

Endowed Legacy Publishing™ is a fresh take by Phoenix Rebirth Publishing that combines the strengths of traditional and hybrid publishing models. In this new model, our publisher invests in your approved manuscript through an endowed process where the author grants full rights to the book during the publishing phase in exchange for initial royalties at a higher rate to the publisher. Over time, as costs are recouped, the royalty percentage increases for the author, and eventually as initial costs are recouped, the full rights to the book return to the author.

Why Consider It?
​This model is designed to be author focused and provide the highest value and benefits to the author.   This is perfect for authors looking for a partnership where they benefit from the publisher’s investment and expertise while ultimately gaining more control and profit as the book succeeds.  Through this model you should be able to invest less initially and gain significantly more personal profits from the process of writing and publishing your book.

The publishing world offers various paths, each with its pros and cons. Whether you opt for the established road of traditional publishing, the independent journey of self-publishing, the balanced approach of hybrid publishing, or explore our newest model Endowed Legacy Publishing™, the key is to choose what aligns best with your goals. In the words of celebrated author Stephen King, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

So Now It's Your Job To Choose The Right Type of Publisher...
And Share Your Magic With The World!