So here’s what happened. A woman named…oh, I’ll call her Taylor…. reached out with some questions about Summit Press’s hybrid publishing model versus going the self-publishing route. These were smart questions, the kind that made me think, “Finally, someone who’s doing their homework instead of diving headfirst into the deep end.”
But here’s the thing that got me: She was asking these questions before she’d even started writing.
Which, frankly, is brilliant. Because I can’t tell you how many people get three chapters into their manuscript, realize they have no clue what comes next, and then spiral into this whole “What’s the point if I don’t know how to publish it anyway?” doom loop.
It’s like deciding you can’t learn to cook because you don’t know which restaurant will serve your food. Cart, meet horse.
But Taylor’s questions were so good—and so universally relevant—that I figured you might benefit from the “here’s the lowdown” I gave her. Because chances are, you’re wondering the same damn things.
The “Will I Actually Make Money?” Question
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: ROI. Return on investment. Will this thing pay for itself, or are you basically funding the world’s most expensive therapy session?
Here’s the reality check nobody wants to give you: Most professional authors don’t recoup their investment through book sales alone.
Gasp.
I know, I know. But stick with me here.
The magic happens everywhere else. Speaking fees that jump from $2,500 to $10,000 because you’re “the person who wrote the book.” Consulting rates that double because clients see you as the expert. Business opportunities that appear because your book opened doors you didn’t even know existed.
One of our recent authors covered her entire $15,000 investment selling 500 copies at speaking events for $25 each. Not because the book made her rich, but because the book made her credible enough to command those speaking gigs in the first place.
Your book isn’t a product; it’s a business asset. Big difference.
The “Can’t I Just Do This Myself?” Dilemma
Ah, the self-publishing question. Can you do it yourself? Absolutely. Should you? Well, that depends on whether you have the time, patience, and masochistic tendencies required to become a project manager for editors, designers, formatters, and distributors.
Remember my deck-painting story? Same principle applies here.
Sure, you could figure out ISBN numbers, distribution channels, Amazon optimization, cover design, interior formatting, and marketing strategy. You could spend months researching the difference between KDP and IngramSpark. You could learn about metadata, keywords, and why your book won’t show up in bookstores if you don’t understand the distribution game.
But here’s my question: Is that really how you want to spend the next six months of your life?
Because while you’re down that rabbit hole, playing amateur publisher, your competitors are out there building their platforms, serving clients, and making money.
What Hybrid Publishing Actually Gets You
Think of hybrid publishing as the sweet spot between traditional publishing’s credibility and self-publishing’s control. You’re not waiting two years for some editorial committee to decide your book is worthy. But you’re also not swimming alone in the ocean of amateur self-published work that floods Amazon every day.
Here’s what Summit Press actually handles so you don’t have to:
The Technical Nightmare: We manage the ISBN, distribution setup, Amazon optimization, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes people’s eyes glaze over.
The Quality Control: Your book gets professionally edited, designed, and formatted. No amateur hour covers or wonky spacing that screams “I did this myself in Word.”
The Distribution Reach: Amazon AND IngramSpark, which means libraries and bookstores can actually order your book. Try getting that with basic self-publishing.
The Strategic Support: We don’t just publish your book and disappear. We help you figure out how to actually use the thing to build your business.
The Marketing Reality Check
Now, let’s talk marketing, because this is where a lot of people get their hopes up and their wallets emptied.
Most hybrid publishers will try to sell you some cookie-cutter marketing package for an extra $5,000-$10,000. Social media posts, press releases, maybe a few Amazon ads. Generic stuff that works for nobody because it’s designed for everybody.
We do things differently. Instead of forcing you to pay for services you don’t need, we work with vetted marketing experts who provide specific services based on your actual goals and budget. Need podcast booking? We’ve got someone for that. Industry publication placement? Covered. Targeted paid advertising? Yep.
Because a consultant building a speaking career needs completely different marketing support than a CEO writing for industry credibility. One size fits nobody.
The Bottom Line (Because You’re Busy)
Summit Press (and other reputable hybrid houses) makes sense if you want professional quality without traditional publishing delays, and you value being associated with other quality titles instead of swimming in the self-published ocean of mediocrity.
It doesn’t make sense if you love managing complex projects, have unlimited time, or you’re just writing for fun.
Your book will either enhance or damage your professional reputation—there’s no middle ground. That’s why we’re picky about the projects we take on, and why we’re committed to maintaining standards that make your book something you’re proud to hand to your biggest client.
So here’s my advice: Before you get lost in the publishing weeds, write the damn book.(NOTE: If you want to go Traditional publishing with your non-fiction book, write the damn book proposal.) Figure out what you want to say, who needs to hear it, and why it matters. The publishing path will become clear once you have something worth publishing.
And if you want to skip the amateur hour mistakes and get it done right the first time? You know where to find me.
P.S.Still have questions about the hybrid versus self-publishing decision? I get it. These aren’t small investments we’re talking about. Feel free to reach out—I’d rather you make the right choice for your situation than the wrong choice for mine.
