We offer three distinct routes to publishing your work, each tailored to different author needs, goals, and circumstances. Each publishing route offers distinct advantages depending on your goals, resources, and vision for your work. We’re happy to discuss which option might be the best fit for your specific project.
Hybrid Publishing
Hybrid publishing blends elements of traditional and self-publishing. Authors contribute to production costs while the publisher provides professional services, distribution channels, and marketing support.
Pros:
- Professional editing, design, and marketing support
- Better distribution than pure self-publishing
- Higher royalty rates than traditional publishing
- Faster publication timeline than traditional publishing
- Publisher brand association adds credibility
- More creative control than traditional publishing
Cons:
- Significant financial investment required upfront
- Lower royalty percentages than self-publishing
- Less prestigious than traditional publishing in some circles
- Quality and services vary widely among hybrid publishers
- Potential conflicts between author vision and publisher recommendations
Self-Publishing
Self-publishing puts you in complete control of your book’s journey from manuscript to market. You retain all rights and creative control while assuming responsibility for production costs and marketing efforts.
Pros:
- Complete creative control over content, design, and marketing
- Higher royalty percentages (typically 70-100% of net proceeds)
- Faster time to market (weeks or months versus years)
- No gatekeepers or rejection hurdles
- Retain all rights and can pivot strategies at any time
Cons:
- Upfront investment required for editing, design, and production
- Limited distribution compared to traditional publishing
- Marketing responsibility falls entirely on the author
- No publisher brand lending credibility or visibility
- Potential stigma in certain literary circles (though this is diminishing)
At The Book Dragon, our hybrid publishing model offers the perfect balance between author control and professional support. We operate on a transparent 50/50 split of all associated publishing costs, making quality publishing more accessible while providing a generous 60/40 royalty split weighted in your favor as the author. Our comprehensive package includes professional editing services and expert illustration/design work for your book. We also provide your book with its own ISBN, handling all registration details so you don’t have to navigate those technicalities. As both publisher and retailer, we do all we can to support your book’s production and availability to readers. All this comes with the added benefit of our Book Dragon Membership, giving you ongoing business partner support and a customised marketing strategy plan designed specifically for your book. This partnership approach combines the best aspects of traditional and self-publishing, giving you creative control while benefiting from our professional expertise.
We can provide you with Editorial & Proofreading Support, Guidance and Signposting for Illustrations, Book Covers, ISBN and Publishing Platforms for your Print on Demand needs. Please Visit our Alden Department for further information.
Traditional Publishing (Small Indie Press)
As a small independent press, we acquire the rights to publish your work in exchange for covering production costs, providing distribution, and sharing royalties. We’re more nimble and author-focused than major publishers while offering many traditional publishing benefits.
Genre Focus: We exclusively publish fiction titles in the following genres and all their subgenres:
- Fantasy & Science Fiction
- Paranormal Romance
- Horror & Supernatural Fiction
- Romance
- Crime, Mystery & Thriller
- Poetry
Please Note: We do not publish Children’s Books or Non-Fiction works.
Pros:
- No upfront costs to the author
- Professional editing, design, and marketing
- Book Dragon Membership including Business Partner Support
- Individual Marketing Strategy Plan tailored to your book
- More personalized attention than major publishers
- Community of fellow authors and potential cross-promotion
Cons:
- More competitive selection process
- Lower royalty percentages (typically 7-15%)
- Longer timeline to publication
- Less creative control over certain aspects
- Smaller marketing budget than major publishers
- Rights are licensed to the publisher for a contracted period
Hybrid Publishing Guidelines – The Book Dragon Ltd
Overview
Our hybrid publishing model at The Book Dragon offers authors a balanced approach to publishing that combines creative control with professional support. This collaborative partnership shares both costs and rewards, providing you with a streamlined path to publication while maintaining higher royalty rates than traditional publishing.
What We Offer
- Cost Sharing: We operate on a transparent 50/50 split of all associated publishing costs
- Favorable Royalties: Authors receive 60% of all royalties, with The Book Dragon receiving 40%
- Professional Editing: Comprehensive editing services tailored to your manuscript’s needs
- Design Services: Expert illustration and design work for your book’s interior and cover
- ISBN Provision: We provide and register your book’s ISBN
- Publishing & Retail Support: As both publisher and retailer, we do all we can to support your book’s production and availability to readers
- Book Dragon Membership: Ongoing business partner support including an Individual Marketing Strategy Plan
Eligibility
We accept hybrid publishing submissions in the following genres and all their subgenres:
- Fantasy & Science Fiction
- Paranormal Romance
- Horror & Supernatural Fiction
- Romance
- Crime, Mystery & Thriller
- Poetry
Please note: We do not publish Children’s Books or Non-Fiction works.
Submission Process
To be considered for our hybrid publishing program, please follow our standard submission guidelines, submitting your covering letter, synopsis, and first three chapters to kirsty@thebookdragon.co.uk.
In your covering letter, please indicate that you’re interested in our hybrid publishing option.
Selection Criteria
While our hybrid model is more accessible than traditional publishing, we maintain quality standards to ensure mutual success. Submissions are evaluated based on:
- Writing quality and storytelling skill
- Market potential
- Fit with our publishing focus
- Professionalism and readiness to partner
Process Timeline
- Initial Review: 2-4 weeks from submission
- Contract & Agreement: Upon acceptance, we’ll provide a detailed cost estimate and contract outlining all terms
- Payment Schedule: Typically structured in milestone payments
- Production Timeline: Generally 6-9 months from signed contract to publication
- Marketing & Launch: Coordinated according to your Individual Marketing Strategy Plan
Partnership Expectations
Successful hybrid publishing requires active participation from both publisher and author. We expect authors to:
- Respond promptly to editorial feedback
- Participate in marketing efforts as outlined in your strategy plan
- Maintain professional communication
- Meet agreed-upon deadlines and financial commitments
Next Steps
If you’re interested in our hybrid publishing option, we encourage you to submit your manuscript following our standard submission guidelines, clearly indicating your interest in the hybrid model.
For specific questions about our hybrid publishing program, please contact kirsty@thebookdragon.co.uk with the subject line “Hybrid Publishing Inquiry.”
Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Open for Submissions
The Book Dragon Ltd is currently accepting manuscript submissions for our small press publishing division. We publish fiction titles in the following genres and all their subgenres:
- Fantasy & Science Fiction
- Paranormal Romance
- Horror & Supernatural Fiction
- Romance
- Crime, Mystery & Thriller
- Poetry
Please note: We do not publish Children’s Books or Non-Fiction works.
Submission Requirements
To submit your manuscript for consideration, please include the following:
1. Covering Letter
- Your full name and contact information
- Word count of the complete manuscript
- Genre and subgenre
- Brief author bio (including any previous publishing credits if applicable)
- Information on your target audience
- Comparable titles: Identify 2-3 published works your manuscript is similar to and why
- Why you believe your work would be a good fit for The Book Dragon Ltd
2. Synopsis
- A comprehensive summary of your complete work (1-2 pages maximum)
- Include the full storyline, including the ending
- Highlight the main characters, primary conflict, and resolution
- Written in present tense, third person
3. First Three Chapters
- The opening chapters of your manuscript
- Formatted as follows:
- Double-spaced
- Standard 12pt font (Times New Roman or similar)
- Standard margins (1 inch/2.5cm)
- Include page numbers
- Word document (.doc or .docx) format
Submission Process
Please send all materials as attachments in a single email to kirsty@thebookdragon.co.uk with the subject line: “Submission: [TITLE] – [GENRE]”
What to Expect
- We aim to acknowledge receipt of all submissions within two weeks
- Due to the volume of submissions, our full review process may take 8-12 weeks
- If we’re interested in your manuscript, we’ll contact you to request the full manuscript
- Unfortunately, we cannot provide detailed feedback on submissions that don’t move forward
We look forward to reading your work and potentially welcoming you to The Book Dragon family!
