Hybrid publishing gets talked about a lot… and misunderstood even more.

In this episode, I sit down with Megan Sells (Acquisitions Manager and Developmental Editor at Atmosphere Press) to unpack what hybrid publishing actually is—how it differs from traditional publishing and self-publishing, why it’s often confused with vanity presses, and how authors can decide if it’s the right path for them.

We talk candidly about money, rights, marketing, selectivity, speculative fiction word counts (yes, we went there), and what success really means in today’s publishing landscape.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Is hybrid publishing legit?”
• “Do I keep my rights?”
• “How selective are hybrid presses really?”
• “What kind of marketing support would I actually get?”
• “Can I still control my cover, edits, and audiobook narrator?”

…this episode is for you.

We cover:

✨ The difference between traditional, self-, and hybrid publishing
✨ Why “vanity press” is not the same as true hybrid publishing
✨ How selective Atmosphere Press really is (spoiler: around 1–2%)
✨ What authors actually invest in—and what they receive in return
✨ Editing, cover design, marketing, distribution, and collaboration
✨ Why hybrid publishing can protect your IP rights (film, audio, merchandise)
✨ The surprising flexibility around word count
✨ Why success isn’t just about bestseller lists
✨ The power of continuing to publish

We also dive into something I care deeply about as a speculative fiction writer: voice.

Hybrid publishing can create space for niche, diverse, genre-bending, or non-trending books that might not fit traditional commercial molds—but absolutely deserve readers.

And we talk about ownership.
Not just of your book—but of your rights, your long-term IP, and your creative decisions.

Because at the end of the day, the question isn’t just:

“Can I get published?”

It’s:

“What path aligns with my goals, my values, and my definition of success?”

👉 Learn more about Atmosphere Press (and read their full contract + services):
https://atmospherepress.com/

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Think you need an MFA or a creative writing degree to become great at writing? Don't be so sure.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many aspiring authors believe formal education is the key to success, what MFA programs actually teach versus what commercial fiction truly requires, and how to build a smarter, more intentional path to mastering writing on your own.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re “qualified enough” to pursue writing seriously, this episode will show you exactly what actually matters.

In this episode, I walk you through how to create your own powerful writing education—the kind that develops real craft skills, sharpens your storytelling instincts, and prepares you for the business side of being an author.

We’ll dig into the difference between literary training and commercial storytelling, why plot and character arc matter more than a diploma, and how to design a self-directed learning plan that works better than a traditional creative writing degree.

You’ll learn:

✨ Why an MFA is not a prerequisite for great writing
✨ The critical difference between literary writing and commercial fiction craft
✨ The three pillars of building your own writing education
✨ How to study novels intentionally to accelerate your growth
✨ Why feedback is non-negotiable if you want to level up your writing

If you’ve been hesitating to pursue writing because you don’t have a creative writing degree, or you’ve been wondering whether an MFA is the missing piece, this episode will help you rethink what actually creates mastery.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical roadmap for improving your writing skills with purpose, confidence, and strategy—no degree required.

👉 Join my email list for FREE and paid writerly goodies!
https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO

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Feeling overwhelmed by querying—or stuck in the rejection cycle with no clue what’s “wrong”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Artz (author, editor, book coach, and dragon 🐉) to demystify what agents actually want—and how to build a pitch package that makes them want to read more.

We break down what’s inside today’s modern pitch package (including the two pieces Query Manager made way more common), why your synopsis must spoil the ending, and how to avoid the biggest query traps—especially for speculative fiction writers who love their worldbuilding (hi, it’s us).

Julie also shares her go-to framework for tightening your pitch from the inside out: Four Essential Questions that should be clear in your logline, your query, your synopsis, and your pages. Because if you can’t articulate the story in short form, it might be a sign the story itself needs a stronger foundation.

You’ll learn:

✨ Who actually needs to query—and why pitch skills still help self-publishing authors
✨ What’s in a modern pitch package (query, sample pages, one-sentence pitch/logline, synopsis)
✨ Why your synopsis should spoil the ending (and why agents need that)
✨ How to avoid “genre soup” (and what to say when your book is both sci-fi and fantasy)
✨ The Four Essential Questions—and how they reveal what your story might be missing

If querying has been making you feel confused, discouraged, or like you’re shouting into the void, this conversation will help you get grounded, get strategic, and start pitching with way more clarity and confidence.

👉 Grab Julie’s FREE Four Essential Questions Workbook (mentioned in the episode):
https://www.julieartz.com/four-essential-questions-workbook?utm_source=spec-fic-made-simple&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=guest&utm_content=episode&utm_campaign=get-to-yes

👉 Join Heather's email list for FREE and paid writerly goodies!
https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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