The Argument Against ‘HYBRID’

So, let me begin by saying, I’m SOOOO not into labels.

You may have noticed recently an article on Forbes.com where they discuss the success of ‘HYBRID’ publishers. It was a good article, even mentioning MY fantastic publisher, Spencer Hill Press.

My issue with the article is the same issue I took when (a wonderful writer-friend of mine who shall not be named) was called, in a similar article, a ‘HYBRID’ author.

They branded her a ‘HYBRID’ author because she had the audacity to publish both with large, big 5 publishers, and smaller, mid-list publishers like Spencer Hill AND (and this is the big one folks) she self-published a novel.

And apparently, it’s a big freaking deal.

Nevermind that she spent the early part of her career working her way up the publishing ladder, as it were, from smaller houses to bigger ones (a strategy that is not only very sensible, but that I use myself) and working her butt off writing 6-8 books A YEAR. Nevermind that her self published book LAUNCHED A WHOLE GENRE. She’s not a real author. She’s a ‘HYBRID’ author.

I have the same issue with the Forbes article. It feels to me like a very backhanded compliment they are giving these publishing houses. As if, by their flexibility and willingness to work outside traditional models, somehow it makes them less than a traditional publisher. Not traditional, not indie, but something different. Something strange and unheard of.

Something ‘HYBRID’.

Why can’t the industry look at successful small press publishers and say simply, ‘hey. These publishing houses are doing something different (and with GREAT success, mind you) and that’s awesome’. Why do they feel the need to throw a label on them so, lest you get confused by their success and forget, they are still NOT traditional publishers? And the same goes for authors. Can’t you just look at the changing landscape of publishing and admit that to be successful as a writer in this market, you have to do things a little differently? Because, I assure you, in the next five years, that is going to be the ONLY way to succeed in this marketplace.

I take offense to being called a ‘HYBRID’ author. Because at the end of the day what people are saying is, she’s not a real author, she’s one of those ‘HYBRID’ authors.

Here’s what I think. If you write, you are a writer. If you publish your writing, you are an author–no matter HOW or WHERE you publish. And if a company publishes books, guess what? They are a publisher. Period.

Can’t the industry just let an author just be an author and a publisher just be a publisher?