Inside Hybrid Publishing
A live conversation with publisher Brooke Warner on choosing between traditional and hybrid publishing
For decades, most aspiring authors had one clear goal: land an agent and secure a book deal with one of the “Big Five” publishers (well, the “Big Six” back in the day).
Today, the publishing landscape looks very different. Authors now have multiple viable paths—independent presses, hybrid models, full self-publishing—each with distinct trade-offs around control, money, reach, and speed.
Recently, hybrid publishing has emerged as a serious alternative. It’s also widely misunderstood. Some writers lump it in with self-publishing. Others dismiss it without understanding how it works. And many authors are quietly wondering whether it might be the right fit for their book.
So let’s get into it.
On Wednesday, February 25, at 4:00 p.m. ET, I’ll be hosting a live Author Insider conversation with Brooke Warner, publisher of She Writes Press, the first hybrid publisher recipient of the Independent Publisher of the Year award.
We’ll cover:
What hybrid publishing actually is (and what it isn’t)
How it differs from traditional and self-publishing
The financial structure behind each model
Distribution, credibility, and control
What kinds of authors and books tend to thrive in hybrid
If you’re querying, debating your next publishing move, or simply trying to understand your options before committing to a path, this Q&A is for you.
This conversation is free and open to all Author Insider subscribers. It will take place live on Substack.
Click here to RSVP and get notified when we go live. (Not a member yet? Join Author Insider here).
If you’d like a calendar reminder, you can also add it via Luma here.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Panio Gianopoulos
Editorial Director, Author Insider & The Next Big Idea Club