DartFrog Hybrid
Big Five–Level Publishing. Built-in Marketing. Real Reader Exposure.
A Publishing & Marketing Program
DartFrog Hybrid at a Glance
A clear overview of the program before you dive into the details.
Program Fee
$12,000
Structured across installments
Typical Timeline
9 Months
From production through release
Current Release
July 2027
For manuscripts accepted today
Copyright & Rights
100% Yours
Authors retain ownership
Author Royalties
70% POD
100% distributor royalties on offset books
The Complete Publishing & marketing Program
What's Included in DartFrog Hybrid
Professional production, market positioning, reader exposure, and coordinated launch support—managed as one integrated publishing process.
The Specifics
Editorial & Production Expertise
Every DartFrog Hybrid cover is designed by Mumtaz Mustafa, Senior Art Director at HarperCollins—bringing major-publisher design standards to your book’s first impression.
All manuscripts are evaluated for readiness. If a manuscript meets our standards, we offer the author a place in the hybrid program, which includes professional proofreading. If it does not, we provide our feedback and, sometimes, a sample edit to illustrate what’s needed. Authors may revise independently and resubmit at a later date. Those who choose to work with our editorial team are guaranteed a place in the hybrid program upon completion of editing.
Your book receives a fully custom interior layout for both print and ebook editions. The final result reflects the typography, spacing, and readability standards of traditional publishing.
We refine your back cover copy and author bio to professional publishing standards and manage all metadata for retail platforms. ISBNs are assigned with DartFrog listed as publisher.
Your book is distributed worldwide through Ingram's network of more than 40,000 retailers, libraries, and other distribution partners, as well as Amazon, making it available to readers around the world in print and ebook formats.
You retain full copyright and ownership of your book. DartFrog authors receive 70% of net royalties from print-on-demand sales and 100% of royalties from offset-printed books. Your publishing agreement clearly defines your rights and royalty arrangements, so you know exactly how your book's earnings are handled.
Every DartFrog Hybrid publishing project includes a dedicated Author Experience Manager who serves as your consistent point of contact throughout the publishing process. While you'll work directly with the specialists handling each stage—from proofreading and design to production and marketing—your Author Experience Manager provides continuity from beginning to end. They answer questions, coordinate across departments when needed, and help ensure your publishing experience is smooth, responsive, and enjoyable.
Every DartFrog Hybrid project includes True Origin™ authorship verification, documenting your manuscript's development through a series of independently timestamped records. Once verified, your book receives a unique registry number and a scannable Verified Human Authorship badge linking to its public verification record.
Market Positioning & Strategy
Each title receives a professional market analysis from Zoe Sandler, a veteran literary agent with Big Five experience. The analysis identifies target readership, comparable titles, and genre positioning to help ensure your book is presented effectively to its intended audience.
We conduct in-depth keyword and category research to improve your book's discoverability on Amazon and other online retailers.
We design custom Amazon A+ Content for your book's Amazon product page, using professionally designed graphics and enhanced content to create a more engaging shopping experience and showcase your book to potential readers.
Audience Exposure & Launch
Your book is introduced to DartFrog's curated network of 54 Instagram book influencers. We provide you with a list of the influencers who have expressed interest in reading your book. You review their Instagram profiles and select ten (10) influencers you'd like to work with. Each influencer then shares an honest, independent review of your book with their followers.
If more than ten influencers express interest, and you want to work with more than ten, you may choose to include additional reviewers for an additional fee.
Before publication, your book is introduced to Shelf Scout, DartFrog's community of more than 2,000 advance readers. Interested readers can request a forensically watermarked digital copy and share their reactions through the Shelf Scout platform. During launch, participating readers are also required to engage with DartFrog's social media posts about your book, helping build authentic reader engagement and visibility.
Your book is featured through Indie Discoveries, DartFrog's reader discovery platform, reaching approximately 3,500 readers who have opted in to discover independent books. Each feature includes purchase links and remains permanently available as an evergreen listing that can be updated with awards, reviews, media coverage, and other news, helping maintain your book's visibility long after launch.
We promote the book through an email campaign targeting readers interested in your book's genre. The promotional campaign coincides with the book's release and typically has an audience of more than 100,000 readers.
We provide a customized, ready-to-use social media campaign with professionally written posts for pre-launch, launch week, and post-launch. Each post includes suggestions for accompanying visuals, giving you a coordinated plan to help build awareness, engage readers, and encourage book purchases.
Your book is featured on the DartFrog website, including homepage placement and a dedicated author spotlight. We also promote your book through DartFrog's Instagram account, which typically receives more than 60,000 views per month.
Reviews & Credibility
Your book is submitted to Kirkus Reviews and Midwest Book Review prior to launch, with the goal of securing professional reviews that can be used in marketing and, when appropriate, as quoted endorsements on your book's cover.
Each title is submitted for consideration to three respected literary awards: the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
Trusted by Authors
Deborah Brannigan
Author, Squirrel Pie
"I am so grateful to have found DartFrog when my book was ready for publication. They have a top-tier rating on the Alliance of Independent Writers website, and I now see why. It was an all-around great experience to work with Gordon, Corey and the team. The communication was excellent, and they did EVERYTHING for me at a very reasonable price. What I like most about DartFrog is that they review each manuscript, and not all are accepted. Working with DartFrog was like working with old friends. They truly want you to succeed. This is a much different experience than having a “publisher” that churns out anything in exchange for a large fee... Thank you, Gordon, Corey, and team!"
Allie Nava
Author, July and Everything After
"I feel fortunate to have had the chance to work with the Dartfrog Books team. They didn’t just talk about integrity in the publishing industry, but executed on it. With their focus on excellence, accountability, and continual learning, it’s no wonder this publisher has grown. They continue to produce high quality storytelling for readers, and possess the right marketing and publicity expertise as well."
The DartFrog Team
Our team is comprised of senior leaders from Big Five traditional publishers and the independent publishing sector, including the lead designer at HarperCollins and a former New York literary agent who has represented New York Times and national bestselling, award-winning authors, as well as a Reese’s Book Club selection. Collectively, we bring decades of experience across editorial, design, production, and publishing strategy—combining the rigor of traditional publishing with the flexibility and author partnership of independent publishing.
DartFrog Hybrid
DartFrog Hybrid is one of our award-winning core publishing paths, combining professional production, market positioning, and coordinated promotion to bring books to market and connect them with real readers. We approach each project with a clear strategy, aligning editorial, design, and outreach from the start. Projects typically require 9 months from start to finish.
The hybrid program fee is $12,000,
structured across installments.
Frequently
Asked Questions
No. All manuscripts are evaluated for readiness. If a manuscript meets our standards, we offer the author a place in the hybrid program, which includes professional proofreading. If it does not, we provide detailed feedback and a sample edit to illustrate what’s needed. Authors may revise independently and resubmit at a later date. Those who choose to work with our editorial team are guaranteed a place in the hybrid program upon completion of editing.
As AI-assisted writing tools become more common, DartFrog is exploring thoughtful ways to better understand how manuscripts have evolved over time. We recognize that many authors use AI tools in various ways throughout the creative process. At the same time, we believe that sustained author involvement — including revision, refinement, restructuring, and editorial development — remains an important part of serious writing and publishing.
For this reason, authors are encouraged to upload working drafts, tracked-changes documents, developmental drafts, or earlier manuscript versions alongside their final submission. These materials help our editorial team better understand the author’s ongoing involvement in shaping the work over time.
This is an optional part of the submission process, but considered the preferred submission pathway.
Yes. While DartFrog publishes your book under our ISBNs, you retain 100% ownership of your work. You maintain full access to your files, and you keep 70% of all royalties (or 100% of your royalties if you choose offset printing instead of print-on-demand).
Yes. Your project manager will provide strategic guidance on retail pricing for both print and ebook formats.
Most projects are completed within 9 months, but that can vary depending on the scope of the manuscript and production needs. We determine a release date before beginning a project and include that date in the author agreement.
Yes. For authors seeking support beyond the DartFrog Hybrid program, we offer additional services tailored to each book's needs, including:
-Author website design, hosting, and maintenance
-Audiobook production and author-narration assistance
-Podcast outreach campaigns
-Great Indie Reads promotion through Bookclubs.com