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WHAT IS HYBRID PUBLISHING?

Hybrid publishing offers authors a professional publishing experience that blends the strengths of traditional publishing with the freedom and control of self-publishing. In contrast to traditional publishing, where authors frequently relinquish rights and royalties, or vanity presses that prioritize volume over quality, hybrid publishing collaborates selectively with authors to help them bring high-quality books to market while allowing them to retain creative ownership.

The Author’s Journey is a proud member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and adheres to its 11-point Hybrid Publisher Criteria. This includes vetting submissions, publishing under our imprint and ISBNs, maintaining editorial and production standards, offering clear and transparent contracts, and providing wide distribution through Ingram Content Group. With this distribution, our books reach major retailers, independent bookstores, and libraries, opportunities many self-published authors cannot achieve on their own.

Did you know that the hybrid publishing model was for celebrities and had nothing to do with the self-publishing boom? Read this article to learn more.

Why Publish with The Author's Journey?

The Author’s Journey is more than just a publishing service. It’s a mission-driven partnership led by founder Elona Washington, a publishing expert with over 25 years of experience in marketing, book production, and author success.

Elona has worked at the corporate level, including at HarperCollins, where she helped drive bestselling book launches and led digital marketing campaigns that consistently outperformed industry benchmarks. She has also built a reputation as an independent publisher, helping first-time and experienced authors alike navigate the complex publishing landscape and turn their books into tools for growth, visibility, and impact.

What sets The Author’s Journey apart is Elona’s unique ability to blend deep publishing expertise with a marketer’s mindset. She understands that publishing is about launching a product that can shape your career, expand your influence, and connect you to the right audiences. She customizes strategies for each author, whether your goal is book sales, speaking engagements, client acquisition, or thought leadership.

When you publish with The Author’s Journey, you get:

  • A trusted partner who knows both the creative and business sides of publishing
  • A team that treats your book with the same care and rigor as a traditional publishing house
  • Personalized marketing guidance designed to fit your unique strengths, goals, and audience
  • Access to expert editing, beautiful design, and global distribution through Ingram Content Group
  • Transparent, ethical practices with no hidden fees, no inflated promises, just professional support

Elona’s passion is to help authors share their lessons and expertise with the world while retaining their rights, preserving their voice, and keeping their profits. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking for a publishing home that respects your vision, The Author’s Journey offers the experience, integrity, and commitment to help you succeed.

Exclusive Author Benefits

The Author’s Journey is a proud member of IngramSpark's Pro Publishing Program and offers these unique advantages:

  • Dedicated Customer Service
    As a publishing partner, The Author’s Journey has direct access to dedicated customer service representatives in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, allowing us to bypass general support lines and resolve production, distribution, or printing issues more efficiently for our authors.
  • Wholesale and Printing Discounts
    Through our partnership with Ingram, authors reduce production costs and improve overall revenue through discounted wholesale and printing rates, supporting both individual and bulk sales strategies.
  • Global Distribution on Every Continent
    Through our international distribution network, books published under The Author’s Journey can reach readers worldwide, including specialized distribution opportunities in the UAE.