7 Types of Book Publishers Explained

You finish a draft, revise it until the margins blur, and then come the questions: Who publishes books like this? Where does it belong? And how do you even begin to choose a path forward?

The good news is that there is a publisher for every type of book. Each one comes with its own expectations, opportunities, and trade-offs. None of them are inherently “better” than the others; they simply serve different goals and writers.

A Brief Overview of the Types of Book Publishers

The table below gives a quick introduction to each type of publisher. For more in-depth information click the corresponding link in the "Publisher" column.

Publisher	What It Is	Pros	Cons	Best For
Traditional	Established publishing houses that acquire manuscripts, provide editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing.	Professional support Industry credibility Wide distribution Bookstore placement	Highly competitive Slower processes Less creative control for authors	Writers seeking prestige, broad readership, and long-term career development.
College & University	Academic presses that publish scholarly, literary, and regional works.	Strong editorial standards Prestige in academic circles No agent needed	Little to no advance Limited marketing resources/supp-ort Narrow readership	Academics, scholars, poets, and writers of niche or research-focused work.
Professional & Educational	Publishers focusing on instructional, professional development, and educational books.	Distribution support Built-in audience Opportunities for bulk orders and library/organiza-tional purchases	Limited creative freedom Shorter shelf life Often requires authors to carry credentials	Experts and educators publishing how-to, instructional, or professional titles.
Small & Indie	Mission-driven independent presses publishing literary or niche works.	Close editorial collaboration No agent required Greater creative input	Payment opportunities may be limited Reduced marketing opportunities	Writers seeking personalized editorial attention and niche audiences.
Hybrid	Blends traditional and self-publishing; authors share costs while receiving professional services.	Higher royalties More creative control Faster publication	Requires upfront investment from authors Limited marketing and distribution support	Authors with a platform who want support and control.
Vanity	Companies that charge authors to publish their books.	Faster publication Minimal gatekeeping	High costs Little to no marketing or distribution support Varying quality Industry stigma	Writers seeking quick publication.
Self	Authors manage the entire publishing process themselves through online platforms.	Full creative control Higher royalties Faster publication Ownership of rights	May require upfront costs for professional services Author fully responsible for marketing Visibility challenges	Authors who want control, speed, and an entrepreneurial approach.

Traditional Publishers

Traditional (or commercial) publishers are what most people picture when they think of “getting published.” These are established publishing houses that acquire manuscripts through agents or, less commonly, open submissions. They handle editing, design, printing, distribution, and marketing, and they pay authors through advances and royalties.

The most renowned publishers in this category are known as the Big Five. They are Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan. Traditional publishing is usually chosen by writers seeking wide distribution, bookstore placement, industry prestige, and long-term career building within the literary ecosystem.

Authors are typically paid an advance against royalties. Once the advance “earns out,” authors receive royalty payments, usually calculated as a percentage of the book’s list or net price.

College & University Publishers

College and university presses focus on scholarly, academic, and regional works. While many publish academic monographs and textbooks, some also release fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and local history. 

In North Carolina, for example, we have Duke University Press, University of North Carolina Press, and more. Oxford University Press also has a location in Cary. College and university publishers are usually best for scholars, academics, poets, and writers working in niche or research-driven fields, as well as authors with projects tied to regional or cultural studies.

Payment varies widely. Some presses offer small advances plus royalties, others offer royalties only, and some academic titles pay no advance at all. Compensation is often secondary to scholarly or professional impact.

Professional & Educational Publishers

These may sound similar to university and college presses, but professional and educational publishers (sometimes called trade educational presses) specialize in books designed for professional development, industry training, or educational use. Their focus is practical knowledge rather than literary storytelling.

While not part of the Big Five, you’ve likely heard of some of the top publishers in this category, such as Wiley, Pearson, McGraw-Hill, and Routledge. They can be a great fit for experts, educators, and professionals with established authority in a field, especially those writing how-to, instructional, or certification-related books.

Authors may receive royalties, a modest advance, or a flat fee. In some cases, books are work-for-hire, meaning the author is paid once and does not retain rights or earn ongoing royalties.

Small & Indie Presses

Small and independent (indie) presses are typically mission-driven publishers that focus on specific genres, voices, or literary aesthetics. They operate on a smaller scale than traditional publishers but often take creative risks.

There are countless indie presses out there worth checking out, but some of the most well-known are Graywolf Press, Milkweed Editions, and Coffee House Press. Writers looking for close editorial collaboration, niche audiences, or alignment with a press’s values and vision usually opt for this type of publisher.

Many small presses offer either a small advance or no advance, with royalties paid from the first copy sold. Royalty rates are sometimes higher than traditional publishing, but overall earnings may be lower due to smaller print runs. Some indie presses offer an honorarium (a set dollar amount, such as $2,000) rather than royalties or an advance, and free author copies.

Hybrid Publishers

Hybrid publishers blend elements of traditional and self-publishing. Authors typically share the financial investment while receiving professional services like editing, design, and distribution. These publishers are less commonly used, but can work well for some writers. 

A few examples include She Writes Press and Greenleaf Book Group. Hybrid publishers are typically used by authors with an existing platform who want professional support while retaining more control over their work.

Authors typically earn higher royalty percentages while contributing financially to production costs upfront. Income depends heavily on sales, marketing, and the quality of the services provided.

Vanity Publishers

Vanity publishers charge authors to publish their books and make money primarily from authors rather than book sales. They often present themselves as selective or traditional, and are often considered the “black sheep” of the publishing industry because they require significant financial investments from writers.

Due to the nature of these publishers, they may frequently change names, and there aren’t many that are well-known. They are usually chosen by first-time authors seeking quick publication. If you go with a vanity publisher, be sure to do a lot of research regarding pricing, expectations, marketing, and distribution. 

Authors usually pay significant fees to publish and earn little to no meaningful income from book sales. The company’s primary customer is the author, not the reader.

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing allows authors to manage every aspect of publishing themselves, from editing to distribution to marketing. Writers who opt to self-publish are often called indie authors. 

Although not technically a type of publisher, self-publishing is a route often taken by new authors and those who value control, speed, or niche markets. Many publish through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital. Keep in mind that self-publishing leaves everything in your hands. Indie authors have to find ways to edit, format, design, distribute, and market their works on their own. 

Authors earn royalties directly through platforms, often at much higher percentages than traditional publishing. However, income depends on pricing, distribution choices, and the author’s marketing efforts.

How to Choose the Right Type of Publisher for Your Book

Choosing a publishing path is less about finding the “best” option and more about finding the one that aligns with your goals, your project, and your capacity as a writer. The same manuscript can make sense in very different publishing spaces depending on what you want it to do in the world. Before submitting or signing anything:

1. Consider the Book Itself: Is it literary, commercial, academic, instructional, or niche? Does it rely on careful editorial development or fast turnaround? Who is the intended reader, and how do they typically find books like this?

2. Clarify Your Publishing Goals: Are you seeking wide distribution and bookstore placement, or a focused, specific audience? Do you want industry recognition, creative autonomy, or quick publication? Is income a primary goal, or is this book part of a larger professional or artistic trajectory?

3. Think About Control and Collaboration: How much creative control do you want over editing, design, and marketing? Do you prefer guidance and structure, or independence and flexibility? Are you comfortable sharing decision-making with a publisher?

4. Assess Your Resources: Do you have time and energy to market the book yourself? Are you able to invest financially if needed? Can you tolerate long timelines and uncertainty, or do you need a clearer schedule?

5. Think Long-Term: Is this a one-time project or the beginning of a writing career? Will this publishing path support future books? Does the publisher’s mission align with the kind of writer you want to be?

Common Publishing Mistakes to Avoid

Publishing often feels urgent, especially after you’ve spent months or years with a manuscript. That urgency can lead writers to rush decisions, overlook red flags, or follow advice that doesn’t actually fit their goals. While there’s no way to avoid every misstep, being aware of the most common mistakes can help you move forward with more confidence and far fewer regrets.

• Equating speed with success. Fast publication can be appealing, but a rushed process often means weaker editing, poor distribution, or limited long-term impact. Time is not the enemy of a good book.

• Paying to publish without understanding why. Not all paid models are inherently bad, but paying upfront should always come with transparency, professional-quality services, and realistic expectations. If a company can’t clearly explain what you’re paying for, that’s a warning sign.

• Signing contracts without reading the fine print. Excitement can overshadow caution. Always understand how you’re getting paid, which rights you’re giving up, and how long the agreement lasts. When possible, seek professional advice before signing.

• Assuming all publishers offer the same support. Editing, marketing, and distribution vary widely. A publisher’s name alone doesn’t guarantee hands-on promotion or wide reach.

• Ignoring your long-term goals. A publishing choice that works for one book may not serve your future career. Consider how each decision affects your ability to publish again, retain rights, or shift paths later.

• Believing guarantees. Promises of bestseller status, media coverage, or guaranteed sales are rarely credible. Publishing involves uncertainty, and anyone claiming otherwise should be approached with skepticism.

• Skipping research. Failing to vet publishers, read similar books, or talk to other writers can leave you vulnerable. Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools a writer has.

The Bottom Line

There is no universal right choice when it comes to publishers, only the one that best serves your work, your goals, and the writing life you are building. At Ink & Oak, we believe in meeting writers wherever they are in that process, and in creating space for thoughtful, resonant work to be read and valued. If you’re looking for a home for your short fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, submit it to us today!

FAQs

What are the Big Five publishers?

The “Big Five” refers to the largest traditional publishing houses in the United States: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan. These publishers dominate commercial book distribution and have the widest reach into bookstores, libraries, and international markets. They are highly competitive and often require a literary agent.

What is the best publisher for first-time authors?

There is no single best publisher for first-time authors. The right choice depends on the book, the writer’s goals, and their willingness to wait, revise, and navigate the industry.What matters most is choosing a path that supports your work and your long-term writing career, rather than chasing a specific label.

Can I publish my book for free?

Yes, it is possible to publish a book for free through traditional publishing or self-publishing platforms that do not charge listing fees. Traditional publishers cover production costs and pay authors through advances and royalties. Self-publishing platforms allow free upload and distribution, but authors are still responsible for optional yet important expenses like editing, cover design, and marketing. “Free” publication often shifts costs rather than eliminating them, so it’s important to understand where quality and support truly come from.