Most first-time/aspiring authors get confused about the publishing processes available and don’t know where to go for trustworthy guidance.
There are three current pathways:
Traditional
Self-Publishing
Hybrid Publishing
Someone asked what it really looks like to work with my team—not the highlight version, but the day-to-day experience. She wondered what she should expect and how would she know if she had chosen the right partner? There are so many options “out there on the internet,” that people often just say no or not yet vs. making a decision and taking action with their books.
Hers were important questions. You definitely do NOT want to commit to a publisher, then regret it months and a lot of money later.
A healthy publishing partnership is not built on pressure or promises. The relationship is built on understanding, communication, and shared responsibility.
A good partner takes the time to understand what the author is trying to create. That includes the message, the audience, and the purpose behind the book. Without that foundation, it is very difficult to make strong decisions as the work moves forward.
A healthy partnership also includes clear guidance. Most authors are not expected to know how to move from idea to finished book on their own. They need a process they can trust and a person or team who can help them think through each step with confidence.
At the same time, the author has a role to play. Progress depends on engagement, responsiveness, and a willingness to work through the challenges that come with writing. The strongest outcomes happen when both sides are fully participating and on time. I’ve had to ask for a lot of forgiveness the last 30 months during my husband’s cancer treatments, but what I’ve found is that as long as I am open, our Crippled Beagle Publishing and Story Mountain Media clients understand. They have crises, family demands, health issues, work stress, and surprise opportunities, too. What I love is that my team and processes are totally transparent. We should be. After all, many of our clients are opening their souls and histories to us as we craft their stories.
Respect is another important part of the relationship. That includes respect for timelines, for the work itself, and for the people involved. A book is not created overnight, and it should not be rushed in a way that compromises quality. My team and I err on the side of accuracy vs. speed. Sometimes, ideas need time to develop. We try to balance staying on schedule with leaving room for creativity. This benefits everyone, especially the eventual readers.
Finally, a healthy publishing partnership allows space for thoughtful decisions. There is room to ask questions, consider options, and move forward with confidence rather than urgency. This is why we often don’t decide the client’s publishing pathway (traditional, self, or hybrid with us) until the book’s first draft is complete. That allows us time to discuss the options and customize publishing to match what the client wants and needs, long-term.
If you are considering your next step, it may be helpful to think about what kind of partnership you are looking for in a publisher.
Do you want to feel supported, understood, and guided?
Do you want a clear sense of how the process works and what comes next?
The relationship is more important than pricing or promises.
If you would like to talk through what this could look like for your book, we would be glad to have that conversation with you.
If you are an existing client looking for help with a current or new project, schedule a call here: Next Steps Call for Existing Clients
If you have not worked with my team before, you can schedule a call here: Publishing Pathway Call
Books live forever!
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About the Author
Jody Dyer is the Founder and CEO of Crippled Beagle Publishing and Story Mountain Media, two publishing companies that help writers turn meaningful ideas into professionally published books.
Jody and her team guide authors through writing, editing, publishing, and marketing so their books create impact, credibility, and long term legacy.
If you are thinking about writing or publishing a book and want thoughtful guidance before making decisions, you can schedule a free Publishing Pathway Call to explore your next step.
