If you’ve started researching how to publish your book, you’ve probably discovered three main routes: traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing. Each path comes with its own balance of cost, control, credibility, and creative freedom.

At Stacks Publishing, we offer affordable, credible hybrid publishing — designed for authors who want professional quality and wide distribution without handing over their rights or creative control.

The table on this page shows how hybrid publishing sits between the two extremes: the prestige and patience of traditional publishing and the freedom (and workload) of doing it all yourself.

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing is the route most authors dream of — landing a book deal with a recognised publishing house that handles everything from editing to printing to distribution. The publisher pays for production, marketing, and distribution costs, often offering a small advance. In return, they take control of creative decisions such as cover design, pricing, and even the title, and they retain the rights to your book for a set period.

While this model carries prestige and can open doors to media coverage and bookstore placement, it’s also highly competitive and slow-moving. The process from manuscript acceptance to publication can take up to two years, and royalties are modest — usually around 5–15% of net sales. Traditional publishing is best suited to authors who are patient, want the credibility of a well-known imprint, and are comfortable with less creative control.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing offers complete freedom — and full responsibility. As the author, you oversee every aspect of your book’s production and release, from hiring editors and designers to uploading your finished files to platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. You retain all rights to your work and earn much higher royalties, often 60–80% of net sales after platform fees.

This model appeals to authors who want speed, control, and higher margins, but it requires both time and upfront investment. Without the backing of a publisher, you’re responsible for marketing, distribution, and building your readership. Quality and results vary depending on how much you invest in professional support. Self-publishing is ideal for entrepreneurial authors who enjoy managing their own projects and want to bring their book to market quickly and independently.

Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing combines the professionalism of traditional publishing with the freedom and higher royalties of self-publishing. It’s a partnership model where the author invests in professional publishing services — such as editing, design, and marketing — while retaining ownership of their rights and a much larger share of the royalties (typically 40–70% of net sales).

Why Authors Choose Hybrid Publishing

With Stacks, you keep your rights, earn competitive royalties, and get expert support every step of the way — from editing and cover design to marketing and distribution.

You’ll be published under a respected imprint (or can choose your own name as Publisher) while staying in control of your book’s vision, message, and brand.

We bridge the gap between do-it-yourself publishing and big-house publishing, giving you the best of both worlds:

• Professional quality: Our editorial and design team ensures your book meets traditional standards.

• Fair royalties: You retain a significant share of sales revenue.

• Flexible investment: Choose between Done-For-You publishing or à la carte services.

• Collaborative marketing: We help you build visibility, not just publish your book.

• Author empowerment: You make the final calls — with guidance from experts.

See How It Compares

The table here shows the main differences between the three modes of publishing. Click on it for a larger version.

Ready to Publish with Confidence?

Skip the scams and overwhelm. Choose a publishing model that respects your work, values your input, and helps you reach readers — without losing your rights or your sanity.

Learn more about our Hybrid Publishing Packages by booking a Discovery Call or explore our À La Carte Publishing and Marketing Services