Changing the Game: Self-Published Authors Find Partner in Hybrid Model

Aug. 21, 2012 - PRLog -- There is a new league in the publishing world: hybrid. Hybrid publishers, like Boutique of Quality Books Publishing (BQB), have realized the deficiencies in the publishing realm and are bridging the gap between the two ends of the spectrum. This business model is making waves in the industry by furnishing the components that traditional and self-publishing models lack to create a more efficient and author-friendly alternative that also produces high-quality books.

“BQB offers an excellent combination of what hybrid should be: fair dealing and careful consideration of their authors,” says Shari Stauch, creator of Where Writers Win (http://writerswin.com/).

Several years ago, technology altered the publishing industry, opening new doors to authors who wanted to publish a book regardless of a contract with a traditional outfit. The issue accompanying do-it-yourself publishing alternatives is that anyone can publish anything. Self-published authors face daunting obstacles when entering the print or eBook marketplace because of the general lack of quality editing and design, minimal marketing competences, and extreme competition due to the flooded market of mediocre books. With hybrid companies such as BQB, manuscripts must go through an acquisition process and, if accepted, the author is then teamed up with a BQB editor to work together to retain the author’s concept and vision for their story while ensuring that the book is the best that it can be before it enters the marketplace.

“Previously, I was on my own as an author and know first-hand how tough it is,” says Keith Donaldson, who, after self-publishing three novels, turned to BQB to help him get industry-respected editing, professional cover design, marketing support, and full-service distribution. “It’s fantastic to finally have real support, and believe me, these folks are a skilled group. I get to personally work with my own editor and designer. My experience with BQB is topped off with the attentive care that BQB President Terri Leidich gives to me and my books.”

Hybrid publishers take on the manuscripts that the large houses nearly accept but won’t take a risk on. They become invested in the book by sharing the financial risk with the author, putting forth around $5,000 to $7,000 per title for coaching, marketing, events, and distribution, while the author pays around $3,000 for editing, design, and publishing. By sharing the financial risk, hybrid publishers are able to pay a much higher royalty percentage to the author. They are also often willing to republish a previously self-published book, as long as the previous contract can be canceled, the self-published edition is pulled from the marketplace, and the author has retained all of the rights to the book.

“BQB wants you to succeed and gears their efforts towards that end,” says former FBI agent and author C.W. Saari.  Saari originally self-published his novel and came to BQB to publish a revised edition of his murder mystery, The Mile Marker Murders. “My experience with BQB has been positive and rewarding. To date, BQB's support has been outstanding, and I intend to use BQB for the publication of my second suspense novel.”

About BQB Publishing
Founded in August of 2010, BQB was created to be “the writer’s publisher,” focusing on quality writing from new authors. An independent hybrid publisher, BQB combines the quality processes of traditional publishing with hands-on author involvement to bring today’s new writers and tomorrow’s best sellers into the hands of booksellers and the reading public. To learn more about BQB’s publishing process and submission guidelines, visit http://bqbpublishing.com/.