In part three of the whole publishing debate, I'm going to cover both hybrid and vanity. Why? Because they're not really that different.
I'll start with vanity publishing. This has been around for a long time, so most authors are familiar with the concept, if not the name. A vanity press is one that charges you a lump sum for publishing your book for you. Many authors will tell you these types of presses are scams. They publish anything sent their way regardless of quality. They charge ridiculous fees - sometimes in the tens of thousands - and you will have to do all of the work to sell your book. They may make promises about promoting your book, but usually that is in the form of listing your book on their website, which no one looks at except for authors in the same boat as you.
It is also important to note that there are some big publishers that you have definitely heard of who have subsidiary vanity presses. I'm not naming any names, but I am telling you that any vanity press, no matter who they're attached to, is predatory. They will gladly take your money, but you won't be in a better position than if you self-publish.
A hybrid press is similar to a vanity press in that the author pays the press to publish the novel, but the press itself actually takes on some of the responsibilities of distributing the book.
What Should You Do?
If you want my opinion, you're in the right place because this is my blog and you're about to get it. I think the best option is to find a legit publisher who is interested in your novel and work with them. If, after your first novel, you find you would be more satisfied self-publishing, go for it. By then you will have some experience with the process. Never, ever, ever pay someone to publish your novel. Never.
Never.
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