By Virginia Grounds
Has God placed a story on your heart?
Perhaps you’ve felt His prompting to write a book, but the thought of publishing seems overwhelming.
Today’s publishing landscape offers multiple paths to bring your book to life, even if you’ve never written anything beyond personal journals or blog posts. As the owner of Breakthrough Christian Publishing (breakthroughchristianpublishing.com), a hybrid publishing house, I’ve guided authors from their first draft to successful publication.
Book publishing can be challenging, however, there are multiple options to get your book into print.
It is essential in the professional world (self-published or not) to meet industry standards to establish credibility in the writing field.
Publishing Options You Need to Know
1. Traditional Publishing
This has been the publishing model since the first publishing house began. In the past, publishers took care of everything once they accepted a manuscript.
Now, the process looks different:
You typically need an agent to represent you and present your manuscript to a traditional house. If the publishing house accepts your manuscript, you will pay the agent a fee. Publishers used to handle all marketing and sales, but now authors must participate in marketing their books.
The publisher controls the final product, including:
• Editing
• Cover design
• Release date
• And more Important Note: If you receive an advance payment, which is increasingly rare in today’s publishing market, you won’t receive royalties from your book sales until you’ve paid back the entire advance.
An advance funds your book publication through future sales before seeing additional income.
2. Hybrid Publishing
This model is new and is NOT vanity publishing. With hybrid publishing, like the model we use at Breakthrough Christian Publishing, you receive:
• Professional publishing support with more personal decision-making
• Control over editing, book cover, and release date
• Retention of full book rights
• Quick, personalized service with potential for higher profit margins Cost Considerations: Prices range from $3,000 to $100,000. Ensure the publisher is reputable and compare services carefully.
3. Self-Publishing
With this model, you have complete control over the publishing process:
• Full responsibility for all publishing steps
• Potential for cost savings and higher personal profits
• Requires understanding of distribution and marketing
• Higher risk of time investment and potential frustration for those unfamiliar with publishing
Essential Services for Publishing
To create a professional book, you must: complete your manuscript and hire professional services, including:
• Editing and proofreading
• Cover design and interior layout
• ISBN and copyright registration
• Printing and distribution strategy
• Develop a comprehensive book launch and marketing plan Evaluate the Costs Fees taken from book sales include agent commissions, the publisher’s cut, retailer discounts (most retailers purchase books at 55% off the retail price and keep the profits).
This makes for a low royalty check.
Many authors pay more to promote their books than the money they make. However, it is not discouraging if you prioritize sharing your message for the benefit of others over making a lot of money. Then, royalties will not be the determining factor of your book’s impact.
Your Book, Your Journey: Choosing Your Path Forward
Publishing a book is more than a professional milestone—it’s a personal transformation.
Each path—traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing—offers unique opportunities to bring your message to the world. The right choice isn’t about perfection but alignment with your vision, resources, and passion. Your book is more than ink and paper. It’s a bridge connecting your insights to readers waiting to be inspired. Whether you sell dozens or thousands of copies, your impact is measured not in numbers, but in lives touched and perspectives shifted.
Don’t let fear of the publishing process silence your story.
Take that first step toward your publishing dream. Research your options carefully. Connect with other writers. I recommend the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (awsa.com) for networking with a group of over 1,000 professional Christian women authors.
Also, invest in professional support to elevate your work and navigate the publishing landscape. Your message matters. Your voice deserves to be heard. The world is waiting for the book only you can write.
