(Manhattan Beach, March 5, 2024) – In its ongoing efforts to provide clarity, accountability and support for the publishing community, the Independent Book Publishers Association today unveiled a new and free resource – the IBPA Guide to Publishing Models and Author Pathways.

It defines the eight main types of publishers today and their respective business models : (1) Corporate Trade Publishers, (2) Independent Publishers & Small Presses, (3) Association, Society & Non-Profit Publishers, (4) Higher Education & Academic Publishers, (5) University Presses, (6) Hybrid Publishers, (7) Author Publishers, and (8) Publishing Service Providers.

The guide, also known as the IBPA Publishing MAP (Models and Author Pathways), is free to download from: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/PublishingMAP. For each publishing model, the guide explains their characteristics, how they generate income, the types of authors most suitable for this model, examples publishers, and more.

“IBPA has put together a guide that is transparent, educational, and is a foundation for thought leadership in the publishing industry. This cornerstone guide is a critical resource in today’s ever-changing publishing environment,” said Angela Engel, publisher and founder of The Collective Book Studio.

The guide will help IBPA members – and the publishing community at large – understand different ways that authors and publishers might partner together to bring a book to market. In addition, by naming the types of publishers in the guide, IBPA also hopes to bring more consistent language in the industry to how publishers self-identify and are described.

“Never has there ever been as clear or concise a document when it comes to helping an author navigate the shifting landscape of publishing.” said Jonathan Merkh, CEO and founder of Forefront Books, “And IBPA did an amazing job in making this industry understandable.”

“IBPA’s goal is to educate and advocate for our members, and we also provide trusted resources that can help promote sound business practices, collaboration, and quality publishing across the industry,” said IBPA CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet “Many advisors, volunteers and staff members worked together to make this first iteration of the guide comprehensive and valuable. As changes come to our industry, we welcome the opportunity to incorporate new and updated information.”

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About the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Founded in 1983 to support independent publishers nationwide, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) leads and serves the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. With over 3,500 members, IBPA is the largest publishing association in the U.S. Its vision is a world where every independent publisher has the tools and knowledge needed to professionally engage in all aspects of the publishing industry. For more information, visit ibpa-online.org.