Why a Top Literary Agent Now Refers Authors to Hybrid Publishing Instead of Traditional Deals
The Literary Agent Who Changed Her Tune
For over two decades, Susan Palmer was a gatekeeper in the world of traditional publishing. As a respected New York-based literary agent, she had helped authors land book deals with the “Big Five” publishers. She’d celebrated major advances, long editorial meetings, and the thrill of seeing her clients on bestseller lists.
But in 2023, something changed.
Literary Agent – Hybrid Publishing
Her phone rang more than usual — but this time it wasn’t editors calling. It was frustrated authors. Smart authors. Platform-building authors. But they were tired of waiting.
“I’ve been querying agents for 18 months,” one author told her. “I have 50,000 followers, a podcast, a killer manuscript… and no deal.”
Susan could no longer ignore the signs: traditional publishing wasn’t working for 90% of authors. So she made a bold move that shocked her peers…
She began referring authors to hybrid publishers.
The Turning Point
Susan’s change of heart wasn’t emotional—it was practical.
She realized that:
Traditional publishers now rarely take risks on new authors.
Unless an author has a massive social following or is already famous, most manuscripts go into the slush pile.
The publishing timeline is painfully slow.
Even after a book deal is signed, it can take 12–24 months for a book to hit shelves. Authors lose precious time, especially when their content is time-sensitive or tied to current events.
Authors give up too much control.
Traditional deals often mean giving up:
Creative rights
Foreign rights
Audiobook rights
Final say over the cover, title, and even content edits
Royalties are small.
Most traditionally published authors make $1–$2 per book sold. Worse, they often have to earn back their advance before seeing a single royalty check.
Why Susan Now Recommends Hybrid Publishing
After vetting dozens of options, Susan discovered that Beyond Publishing offered something different:
Global distribution like Global Connect with Beyond
Ownership of rights
Speed to market
Professional guidance
Higher profits for authors
Help with writing the manuscript through book coaching, ghost writing, author feedback from the publisher and guided AI sessions with new authors.
“I wasn’t going to send my authors to just any hybrid publisher,” she said. “But Beyond Publishing had the team, the global reach, and the track record.”
Now, Susan refers many of her most promising authors—especially business owners, coaches, and entrepreneurs—to hybrid publishing because:
They retain full rights
They can launch in under 120 days
They keep up to 85–100% of profits
They still get professional editing, design, and marketing
Meet Danielle – A Fictional Author, Real Success Story
Danielle Clark had written a personal development book based on her popular TEDx talk. She had:
A mailing list of 18,000 subscribers
40 podcast interviews under her belt
A self-funded speaking tour already booked
She spent over a year querying traditional agents.
Nothing.
When Susan referred her to Beyond Publishing, everything changed.
Danielle signed a hybrid publishing deal in 2024. Her book launched within four months and hit #1 in three Amazon categories. She retained all rights, landed speaking gigs, and was even approached for a TV segment based on her book’s message.
“I didn’t need a $50,000 advance. I needed momentum and control—and that’s exactly what Beyond Publishing gave me.”
Beyond Publishing is a global hybrid book publishing company with headquarters in Dallas, Texas and Bangkok, Thailand. We help first-time and experienced authors write, publish, and launch high-quality books that build authority, generate income, and leave a legacy. With over 849 titles published by authors from 67 nations, Beyond Publishing offers full-service support including ghostwriting, book coaching, editing, cover design, interior layout, audiobook production, global bookstore and library distribution, media coaching, and bestseller launch strategies.
Authors retain 100% of their rights and benefit from personalized, white-glove service designed to position them as thought leaders in their industry. Our books are represented at global book fairs and sold in over 39,000 retail outlets worldwide. Whether you’re writing a memoir, business book, self-help, or fiction, we walk you step-by-step from idea to bestseller.
📚 Learn more or book a free consultation at: GetPublished.BeyondPublishing.net
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