Our Hybrid Model
At redrosethorns, we are a hybrid press. That means we combine the best of traditional publishing with the flexibility of self-publishing. You invest in production. We invest in everything else: editorial, design coordination, distribution, and our platform.
But we understand the confusion. The publishing world is full of models, and not every press that charges fees is legitimate. So let us be clear about what we are, and what we are not.
WHAT WE ARE
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A selective, mission-driven press.
We do not publish everyone. We reject far more work than we accept. We choose books that align with our feminist values around mental health, self-care, gender, and sexuality.
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A professional publisher with global reach.
We purchase our own ISBNs through Bowker (USA) and Nielsen (UK). We distribute through IngramSpark (in both the USA & the UK) — the same channel used by bookshops, libraries, and retailers worldwide. We are a registered imprint in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
We also catalogue our books with the Library of Congress and fulfil legal deposit requirements with the British Library. This ensures our books are discoverable in library catalogues on both sides of the Atlantic.
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A partner, not a service provider.
We work alongside our authors. You bring your manuscript and your marketing energy. We bring editorial expertise, project management, design coordination, distribution, and access to our community. Together, we sell books to readers.
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A business that makes money from book sales.
We do not profit from author fees. We profit when your book sells. That means we are invested in your success, because it is our success too.
WHAT WE ARE NOT
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Not a vanity press.
Vanity presses make their money from authors, not from selling books. They accept almost anyone, offer little selectivity, and often leave authors with overpriced services and no real distribution. We do none of that.
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Not a do-it-yourself self-publishing service.
We are not a platform where you upload your manuscript and handle everything alone. We are a press. We edit. We create. We distribute. You are not alone in this.
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Not a traditional publisher with huge advances.
We do not have the budget of the Big Five. We cannot offer advances. What we offer is attention, care, and a direct path to readers. If you need a large advance, we are not the right fit.
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Not for everyone.
We publish one book at a time because we are intentional. We choose each project carefully. We are selective. We are niche. And we want every book we publish to find its way into as many hands as possible, including as many bookshops as we can. If you are looking for a partner who will treat your book like it matters, keep reading.
WHY HYBRID? WHY NOT TRADITIONAL?
Traditional publishing is risk-averse. Most small presses struggle to survive. By sharing production costs with our authors, we reduce our risk, which means we can stay in business longer. And the longer we stay in business, the longer your book stays in print.
Hybrid is not exploitation. It is sustainability. It is how we survive in a market where a significant portion of books sell fewer than 1,000 copies.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We understand. The hybrid model is often misunderstood.
If you are unsure whether we are the right fit for your work, reach out. We are happy to explain our process, our costs, and our commitments. Our pricing is structured around two levels of editorial support. We can discuss which is right for you in a consultation.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just an honest conversation.
Contact Us At: contact@redrosethorns.com
