The Key Book Publishing Paths: 2025–2026

Since 2013, I have been regularly updating this informational chart about the key book publishing paths. It is available as a PDF download—ideal for photocopying and distributing for workshops and classrooms—plus the full text is also below.

These PDFs are formatted to print perfectly on 11″ x 17″ or tabloid-size paper.

Traditional publishing paths (1 page)Other publishing paths (1 page)All publishing paths (2 pages)

One of the biggest questions I hear from authors today: What is the best way to publish my work?

This is an increasingly complicated question to answer because:

There are now many varieties of traditional publishing and self-publishing, with evolving models and diverse contracts.It’s not an either/or proposition; you can do both. Many successful authors, including myself, decide which path is best based on our goals and career level.

Thus, there is no one path or service that’s right for everyone all the time; you should take time to understand the landscape and make a decision based on long-term career goals, as well as the unique qualities of your work. Your choice should also be guided by your own personality (are you an entrepreneurial sort?) and experience as an author (do you have the slightest idea what you’re doing?).

For 2025–2026, I’ve greatly expanded this chart.

The chart is now two full pages instead of one. One page focuses on traditional publishing. The other page focuses on alternative paths, including paid publishing options, self-publishing, and informal types of publishing, like Substack newsletters or social media. This chart’s logic is driven primarily by how the money works and how and where the work is sold.

Here’s a quick overview.

Traditional publishing (the big guys and the little guys): I define traditional publishing as the publisher taking on the financial risk, not the author. Bigger publishers typically invest in a print run for the book; smaller publishers may focus on digital forms of publication (ebook, digital audio, and/or print on demand). Sometimes the author sees no income from the book aside from the advance; in today’s industry, it’s commonly accepted that most book advances don’t earn out. However, authors do not have to pay back the advance; that’s the risk the publisher takes.

University & scholarly publishers / professional & educational publishers. For the first time, I’ve added other sectors of book publishing, such as scholarly and professional publishing. These publishers generally do not publish for consumers, or produce the sort of books that bookstores sell or that an average person might buy. With professional and educational publishers, authors may not even retain their copyright. It is a sector of the industry that plays by a set of rules that can be quite different from trade (consumer) publishers.

I’ve included them in this version for clarity and because university presses in particular have become important players for literary writers, especially those producing poetry, short story collections, essay collections, and other works that the big traditional publishers don’t often accept.

Smaller traditional publishers. This is the category most open to interpretation among authors, and every year I struggle with how to describe them because they are so varied. Authors must exercise caution when signing with small presses; some mom-and-pop operations offer little advantage over self-publishing, especially when it comes to distribution and sales muscle.

When a traditional publisher doesn’t offer an advance: This can have important business implications for the author and the book. The author may not receive the same support and investment from the publisher on marketing and distribution. The less financial risk the publisher accepts, the more flexible your contract should be—and ideally they’ll also offer higher royalty rates. That is why I’ve segmented no-advance traditional publishing into its own category, but it’s still a traditional deal as long as the author isn’t paying for costs related to publication. As soon as the author does pay costs (aside from costs related to research, permissions or indexing, which are typically covered by the author), it’s a paid publishing situation.

Rights sales. In the last few years, it’s become much more prevalent for longtime traditional publishers to collaborate with self-publishing authors, allowing the authors to retain digital rights while helping them sell more broadly through print retail. Some newer publishing companies, such as Podium, have focused on such partnerships from the very start.

Of course, all authors can and do benefit from rights sales. Agents normally sell rights for traditionally published authors; increasingly, successful self-published authors have agents to do the same.

Hybrid publishers and paid publishing services. This is where the author pays to publish. Costs vary widely (low four figures to well into the five figures—even six figures). There is a risk of paying too much money for basic services or purchasing services you don’t need. Some people ask me about the difference between a hybrid publisher and paid publishing services. Sometimes there isn’t a difference, but here’s a more detailed answer. It is paramount that any author closely research and study these companies before investing. Scams abound.

Self-publishing. I define this as publishing on your own, where you essentially start your own publishing company, and directly hire and manage all help needed. Here’s an in-depth discussion of self-publishing.

Social publishing. Social efforts will always be an important and meaningful way that writers build a readership and gain attention, and it’s not necessary to publish and distribute a book to say that you’re an active and published writer. Plus, these social forms of publishing increasingly have monetization built in, such as Patreon. I’ve also included serialization platforms here, some which have a social or community component, like Wattpad.

You don’t need permission to use this

Feel free to download, print, and share this chart however you like; no permission is required. Below I’ve pasted the full text from the chart.

Traditional publishing definition: The publisher takes on the financial risk of publication, whether or not they pay an advance. The author does not pay for editing, design, printing, etc. The author retains copyright in most cases and some other rights unless it’s a work-for-hire or book packaging situation. In rare cases, some publishers may quietly offer deals where the author purchases copies or makes an investment in order to secure a contract. 

Big Five & Mid-Size Traditional PublishersWho they areThe Big Five: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan (each has dozens of imprints).Mid-size: W.W. Norton, Scholastic, Kensington, Arcadia, Chronicle.How the money worksPublishers take on financial risk and pay the author an advance; royalties are paid if advance earns out. Authors may invest in their own marketing.How they sellMost have a sales team that meets with major retailers, wholesalers, libraries, etc. Books are sold months in advance for a specific release date. Nearly every book has a print run.Who they work withAuthors who write works with mainstream appeal, that merit nationwide print retail placement.Celebrity & brand-name authors.Nonfiction authors with platform.Value for authorPublisher (or agent) pursues all possible subrights and licensing deals.Physical bookstore distribution nearly assured, in addition to other retail opportunities (big-box, specialty).Best chance of media & reviews.How to approachAlmost always requires an agent. Novelists should have a finished manuscript. Nonfiction authors should have a book proposal.What to watch forMost advances do not earn out.Publisher holds publishing rights for all major formats.Authors don’t control title, cover design, packaging decisions, but are consulted on such decisions.Authors are often unhappy with marketing support or surprised at lack of support.University & Scholarly Traditional PublishersWho they areExamples: University of Chicago Press, Princeton University Press, Cambridge University Press.How the money worksAdvances are minimal; royalties may also run lower than New York publishers.Pricing typically runs too high for bookstore placement, unless the publisher does books for the consumer market (as opposed to the academic market).How they sellThey tend to focus on selling through libraries and university systems, as well as direct. Some presses who publish poetry and fiction may put some effort into reaching the consumer market.Who they work withProfessors and academics.People outside of academia who have respected credentials.Literary authors (e.g., poetry, short stories, essays, memoir, literary fiction).Value for authorCredibility and validation within the academic or literary community; help for tenure for professors.How to approachDoesn’t require agent; see submission guidelines. Full manuscript desirable.What to watch forPeer review process (lengthy) and long time to publication date.Professional & Educational Traditional PublishersWho they areExamples: Pearson, Wiley, Springer, Elsevier, Thomson Reuters, McGraw Hill, Routledge, Blackwell.How the money worksAdvances are minimal; royalties may be modest.Some publishers require the author to assign the publisher all rights (including copyright).Pricing typically runs too high for bookstore placement, unless the publisher does books for the consumer market (as opposed to the professional or educational market).How they sellThey focus on university and educational systems (textbook and course adoption), libraries, and professional organizations.Such publishers may make works available through databases and subscription systems.Who they work withProfessors and academics.People with professional expertise or respected credentials in their field.Value for authorCredibility and validation within the academic or professional community; help for tenure for professors.How to approachDoesn’t require agent; see submission guidelines. Full manuscript desirable.What to watch forPeer review process (lengthy).Loss of copyright.Smaller Presses (Traditional Publishing)Who they areUnfortunately, the term “small press” means different things to different people. Here, it’s used to describe publishers that are traditional in practice, pay an advance (even if a small one), typically invest in a print run, and fully support their books. Examples: Unnamed Press, Coach House, Rose Metal Press, Forest Avenue Press, Microcosm Press.How the money worksAuthor receives a small advance; royalty rates are comparable to what the bigger houses offer. Contracts may be more negotiable and authors may be able to retain more rights.How they sellThese presses may prioritize marketing to the literary and independent bookstore community, the MFA/university community, or a niche community. Some rely on sales via Amazon or may focus on direct-to-consumer or specialty sales. Small presses may rely on big publishers and distributors to help them sell books into major accounts. They publish bestsellers and award-winning books like the big houses.Who they work withAll types; friendly to less commercial work and authors without platform.Value for authorPossibly a more collaborative relationship with the publisher.With recognized presses: editorial, design, and marketing support that equals that of larger houses.How to approachRarely requires agent. See submission guidelines.What to watch forResponse times can be very long.Some small presses are financially unstable and may be less reliable.Requires considerable research from author to find and ascertain fit.No Advance Traditional PublishersWho they arePublishers that don’t pay an advance but may pay higher royalties and offer a more flexible contract. Some traditional publishers (even the big ones) may use this model for specific imprints or scenarios.Example: Bookouture (owned by Hachette UK), Berrett-Koehler.How they sellSome rely on sales via Amazon; some focus on direct-to-consumer sales. Others rely on author. And still others work like bigger houses, with sales teams or distribution through larger publishers.Who they work withAll types; friendly to less commercial work and authors without platform.Value for authorWith recognized presses: editorial, design, and marketing support that equals that of larger houses.How to approachSee submission guidelines; doesn’t typically require agent.What to watch forTry to reserve subrights unless press has a track record of successfully exploiting subrights.They may only produce an ebook or print-on-demand edition and focus on Amazon for sales and marketing.Rights Sales (Traditional Publishers)What it isPublishers & imprints that partner with self-publishing authors to publish or re-publish successful work.Examples: Bloom Books, Podium Publishing, Entangled Publishing.How the money worksAuthor typically enters into a collaborative working arrangement with the publisher where they retain control and earn a higher royalty rate than a conventional publishing deal. How they sellSuch publishers specialize in marketing and promoting self-published work to a much bigger market—nationwide print distribution or audiobook distribution.Who they work withSuccessful, bestselling self-pub authors.Value for authorA collaborative relationship with a traditional publisher.Retain rights and control.Higher royalty rates than a conventional deal.How to approachTypically publishers approach authors who are already succeeding with an offer to partner.Increasingly, successful self-publishing authors have a literary agent to help facilitate rights deals with traditional publishers.

Other publishing paths definition: Any scenario where the author is paying for publication (shouldering the financial risk) or working independently.

If you pay any publisher or company to publish you—as you do in the hybrid and paid publishing service scenarios—some people will call it vanity publishing, but I avoid use of that term. (See later section on “gray areas and controversies.”)

Hybrid Publishers

Hybrid publishers work like traditional publishers in that they put their name on your book and become the publisher of record. Paid publishing services discussed later may or may not do this—or they may even offer you a choice.

Who they arePublishers that require accepted authors to pay to publish or raise funds to do so.Hybrid publishers have the same business model as paid services; the author pays costs.Examples of hybrid publishers: Amplify Publishing, Page Two, She Writes Press, Collective Book Studio, Matador (UK), Unbound (UK).How the money worksAuthors fund publication; cost varies.Hybrids pay royalties and author signs a publishing contract.Each hybrid publisher and each book carries its own distinctive costs. Package pricing may not include print run, developmental or content editing, marketing and promotion, etc.Because of the cost ($25,000 is a good rule of thumb assuming a print run is involved), it is challenging to earn a profit from book sales alone. Not a sustainable career path for novelists over many titles.How they sellSome hybrid publishers have distribution via Simon & Schuster Distribution Services or Ingram’s Two Rivers. This can help with bookstore placement as well as other types of consumer sales. However, without author investment in marketing and promotion, and a print run, such sales are unlikely; retail placement is never assured in any event. Sometimes retail placement must be paid for by author.Value for authorIf the hybrid has a good reputation and a strong community of authors, this can support sales.Some companies are run by former traditional publishing professionals and offer high-quality results.What to watch forSome services call themselves “hybrid” when they are not a hybrid.Authors often expect editing that does not happen.Authors can be persuaded to pay because they feel selected/special.Paid Publishing ServicesWho they areServices or individuals that help authors publish their work. They differ from hybrids in a few ways: (1) It is often a service agreement, not a publishing contract. (2) Authors often publish under their own name or imprint. (3) The best services do not take a cut of sales or pay royalties. Author earns 100 percent net on book sales.Examples of paid publishing services: Author Imprints, Girl Friday Productions.How the money worksAuthors fund book publication in exchange for assistance; cost varies.Some firms handle all aspects from start to finish and subcontract, paying workers on author’s behalf. With smaller outfits or individuals, they may connect authors with freelance help.How they sellThey don’t sell at all. The selling is up to the author. Some offer paid marketing packages, assist with the book launch, or offer paid promotional opportunities.Some services assist authors in setting up basic distribution available to self-published authors (IngramSpark and Amazon KDP).Value for authorProduce a quality book without navigating the service and freelance landscape solo. Ideal for authors with more money than time.Get help setting up an imprint and understanding how the self-publishing process works before going it alone.What to watch forAvoid companies that take advantage of author inexperience and use high-pressure sales tactics, such as AuthorSolutions imprints (AuthorHouse, iUniverse, WestBow, Archway, and others).Self-PublishingWhat it isThe author manages the publishing process and hires the right people or services to edit, design, publish, and distribute. The author remains in complete control.Authors set up accounts with ebook retailers to sell (Amazon KDP, B&N Press, Apple Books, Kobo), or use an ebook distributor (Draft2Digital).Authors use print-on-demand (POD) to sell and distribute print books via online retail. Most often used: Amazon KDP, IngramSpark. It costs nothing to distribute titles.If authors are confident about sales, they may hire a printer, invest in a print run, manage inventory, fulfillment, shipping, etc.How the money worksAuthor sets the price of the work; retailers/distributors pay based on the price of the work.Most ebook retailers pay 70% of retail for ebook sales if pricing is within their prescribed window (for Amazon: $2.99–$9.99).Amazon KDP pays 60% of list price for print sales, after deducting the unit cost of printing the book.What to watch forAuthors may not invest enough money or time to produce a quality book or market it effectively.Authors may not have the experience to know what quality help looks like or what it takes to produce a quality book.It is nearly impossible to get mainstream reviews, media attention, or sales through conventional channels (bookstores, libraries), unless the author is a known name.When to prefer over hybrid/paid servicesThe author intends to publish many books and make money via sales over a long period.The author is invested in marketing, promotion, platform, and developing an audience for their books over years.Social PublishingWhat it isWrite and publish work in a public or semi-public forum, directly for readers.Publication is self-directed and continues on an at-will and almost always nonexclusive basis.Emphasis is on feedback and growth; sales or income can be challenging.Value for authorAllows writers to develop an audience for their work early on, even while learning how to write.Popular writers at community sites may go on to traditional book deals.Many popular platforms include monetization methods, such as tipping/donations, ad revenue sharing, and premium content options for paying readers.Most distinctive categoriesSerialization: Readers consume content in chunks or installments and offer feedback that may help writers revise. Establishes a fan base, or a direct connection to readers. Serialization may be used as a marketing tool for completed works. Examples: Wattpad, Webtoon.Fan fiction: Work based on other authors’ books and characters. It can be difficult to monetize fan fiction since it may constitute copyright infringement. Examples: Fanfiction.net, Archive Of Our Own, Wattpad.Social media, newsletters, and blogs: All types of authors use popular platforms to share work and establish a readership. Examples: Substack, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.Patronage: Readers pay regularly for access to you and your content. Popular platforms include Patreon and Substack.Money and rightsAuthor retains copyright and rights to the work generally.Platforms like Substack or Patreon take 5–15% of payments, in addition to payment processing fees.Gray areas and controversies

What is vanity publishing? This is a pejorative term going back decades that generally refers to any arrangement where the author pays a company to publish their book. In particular, some people accuse hybrid publishers of being “vanity” publishers, usually in the spirit of calling out business practices they do not like or find deceptive. However, calling any company a “vanity publisher” tends to unfairly judge or shame authors whose best path forward may be paying to publish, whether they use a hybrid or some other company.

How can authors avoid a vanity publisher? Usually when writers ask this question, they want to avoid the bad business practices of some paid publishing services, or they’re trying to avoid the stigma associated with paying to publish. It is better to ask: How can I find a publisher or a service that helps me accomplish my goals? Many writers have not thought about their goals or what they hope to achieve beyond book sales, which are likely to be minimal (less than 2,000 copies). This leads to expensive mistakes and misplaced expectations across all publishing paths.

How can authors find a “good” hybrid publisher? There is no such thing as a “good” hybrid publisher for all authors, just as there is no such thing as a “good” agent or a “good” publisher for all authors. (Read more from me on this.) However, writers may ask this question knowing that some companies call themselves “hybrids” and take more rights (and/or charge higher fees), but don’t adhere to any industry criteria. The better question to ask: What does this publisher/company provide that authors can benefit from or they cannot get elsewhere? The biggest mistake authors make in looking for a hybrid publisher is believing a “hybrid” will be a “level up” from self-publishing or that it’s more “innovative” than traditional paths. The companies themselves often market to authors in this way, and all sorts of paid companies outside traditional publishing play to the author’s ego or harp on how traditional publishing is broken. Authors who believe the system is broken most often self-publish.

Some recognized hybrid publishers focus on publishing nonfiction by business people, thought leaders, and others who can’t secure a traditional publishing deal, want to publish quickly, or want to retain as much control as possible. They often have enough money that the cost is inconsequential and/or they know they will earn back the investment in other ways (e.g., increased business, speaking, clients, etc).

What about assisted publishing or partnership publishing? The meaning of these terms vary depending on who’s using them. In most cases, it refers to a paid publishing or a hybrid publishing service. In other cases, it may be a traditional publisher offering a hybrid or paid service if they’ve rejected authors for a traditional deal. In still other cases, it may mean a profit-sharing arrangement (no advance) with a traditional publisher. Because of the varied meanings, it’s critical to get a clear agreement or contract with all rights, fees, and royalty rates spelled out.

What is indie publishing? Today, “indie publishing” often refers to the community of self-publishing authors. Many years ago (prior to Amazon Kindle and especially prior to the Internet), indie publishing was a term used by small publishers who worked independently from the big conglomerates (the Big Five). The small press community will often still refer to itself as the “indie publishing” community or as “independent publishers,” but if you’re communicating within a group of authors, you can be certain they mean self-publishing. Authors must remember that “small press” does not mean self-publishing or paid publishing. Small presses, as defined by this chart, are traditional publishers who take on the financial risk of publication.

For more information on getting publishedStart Here: How to Get Your Book Published (traditional publishing)Start Here: How to Self-Publish Your BookHow to Evaluate Small Presses—Plus Digital-Only Presses and HybridsA Definition of Hybrid PublishingIMHO: A Nuanced Look at Hybrid PublishersShould You Traditionally Publish or Self-Publish?Earlier versions of the chart

Click to view or download earlier versions.

2023–2024 Key Book Publishing Paths2021–2022 Key Book Publishing Paths2019–2020 Key Book Publishing Paths2018 Key Book Publishing Paths2017 Key Book Publishing Paths2016 Key Book Publishing PathsThe Key Book Publishing Paths (2015)4 Key Book Publishing Paths (late 2013)5 Key Book Publishing Paths (early 2013)