A hybrid publisher shares the expense of publishing a book with the author. It costs anywhere from $15,000 upwards to take a manuscript from start to finish (editing, layout, design, marketing, registration, copyright, distribution, eBook, etc.) and in the case of Windy City Publishers, the author invests $8,000 and we do the same. We forge a partnership with the author based on a common goal of selling their book.

Doesn't it make sense to have a traditional publishing house publish my book and not pay anything?

It depends on your goals and resources. It can take years to get an agent and then they have to sell your manuscript to a publisher. There is no guarantee that this will ever happen and in addition, you literally sell the rights to your material. You have no ownership, no say in how your book will be presented. Even if you are lucky enough to get a small advance, any money that you receive will need to be paid back before you begin to see any profits. And those profits typically range from 8-10% - not great.

Authors have so many publishing options––self-publishing, vanity presses, print-on-demand. How do I know what's right for me?

Good old-fashioned homework is the only way to find out, and no one can make that decision except for you. It's a whole new ball game in the publishing world and you have many options, so take your time and shop around. Ask advice from other authors in some of the writer's forums, and see what worked best for different authors. When comparing publishers, be sure to read the fine print so you are comparing apples to apples. Remember the adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What are some of the advantages that Windy City offers over the competition?

Our biggest point of difference is our customized strategic marketing plan that offers a roadmap for our authors to sell their book. Think about writing the book as stage one, publishing as stage two, and marketing your book and selling it as stage three. And stage three is really the toughest part. Knowing who your target audience is and how to reach them takes time and research and experience – that's where our expertise offers you your greatest chance for success.

Second, we take great pride in our dedication to authors and their individual needs. Our founder is an author and she is sensitive to how writers feel about their work and how they want to be treated. We follow the mantras of accessibility, collaboration, and transparency. Each of our authors becomes a team member in the publishing process, and we will work together to create the best possible book.

Why do I have to market my book and work with a publicist? Can't I just sell my book on Amazon?

You can. But publicity is an essential component of the marketing mix in today's business world. That is why WCP puts so much emphasis on helping our authors develop a marketing plan. We have created a formula that not only uses traditional marketing tools but also takes advantage of all the FREE ways you can publicize your book––just by using your computer. It's important to note that this is not an easy or quick task––it will take time, especially your time. We can give you the tools and show you how to use them, but we can't do it for you.

Can you guarantee that I will have some success with my book?

We can guarantee that WCP will give you the greatest chance at success through our program. We can guarantee you that you will work with a team of professionals and an experienced staff, and we can guarantee that you will have a quality product when we are finished. But we can't tell you that you will be a best-selling author––no publisher can, traditional or otherwise. We hope you will, and we will offer you the tools to help make that happen, but much is based on your participation. An analogy is that we will give you the bus––you need to be the driver.

How long does it take to publish a book?

For most, the publishing process can be completed in eight to twelve months. But every book, and every author, is different. Depending on your book's needs, and your personal timetable, the process may be shorter or longer. What we pledge is that we will take just as long as is needed to make the best book possible. The process of publishing your book is a very busy time and there are many things happening simultaneously. You will be assigned an author representative, who will guide you through this process, and all of our staff is on-hand and accessible for you and any questions you may have.

Do I own my book?

You do own your book. Unlike when you work with traditional publishers, the original manuscript and al the files associated with the finished product, including the cover, are yours.

Do I have to pay Windy City royalties?

Windy City does participate in a profit-sharing plan, but it is very different than what other publishers offer. First, we want our authors to recoup any money they have invested, so until you break even, you keep everything. Windy City will participate in twenty percent of your royalties once you begin making a profit. That means you keep eighty percent! When you compare this to traditional publishers, who offer authors only five to ten percent of their book's profits, you can see how our business plan benefits the author.

Where are you located? Can I visit you?

Our main office is in Chicago, but our employees work all over the U.S. We have a virtual company, which helps keep our costs low, and benefits both you and WCP. We are able to take advantage of the most talented individuals regardless of where they live. Our company's creative strength is in breaking away from the traditional mode of doing business that no longer proves to be profitable. WCP digitally prints and does not keep warehouses full of inventory. That kind of overhead is no longer necessary––it is the practice of a dying industry.

What is Literacy Chicago and how does that help me?

Windy City works closely with Literacy Chicago, a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals to achieve greater self-sufficiency through language and literacy instruction.

WCP's authors now have the opportunity to partner with them as well. For a donation of $250 to Literacy Chicago, you will be allowed to use the Literacy Chicago logo on any promotional material (including press releases, pitch letters, posters, etc.) that you distribute, have your name listed as a donor in the “Words on the Page” book that WCP publishes for them, and have a summary of your book sent out in their newsletter to over 3000 individuals. In addition, the author will have a chance to participate in certain events that Literacy Chicago promotes regarding the “Words on the Page” event.

This is a great opportunity to not only support an organization dedicated to increasing literacy in our area, but to partner with a nonprofit entity – always a good marketing strategy.