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
$15,000
Structured across installments
Typical Timeline
9 Months
From production through release
Current Release
May 2027
For manuscripts accepted today
Copyright & Rights
100% Yours
Authors retain ownership
Author Royalties
70% POD
100% distributor royalties on offset books
2026 Hybrid Availability:
12 of 48 spots remain
Bringing Your Book to Market
Hybrid publishing at DartFrog extends beyond production. Each book is developed with a clear focus on how it will be positioned, presented, and introduced to readers.
This includes:
- Market positioning and category strategy
- Advance Reader data for increased discoverability
- Coordinated marketing and reader exposure, including Bookclubs.com and an influencer campaign
- Integrated launch and visibility support
For authors who want to go further, additional support is available to extend visibility and reach, including:
- Author website design and construction (hosting and updates included)
- Audiobook production (either with one of our narrators or assisting the author in self-narrating)
- Podcast campaigns (research, pitching, and placing)
- Video trailers and other promotional assets
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 in print and digital formats, with a choice of print-on-demand or offset printing. Authors receive 70% of net royalties for print-on-demand books and 100% of the royalties for offset-printed books. In all cases, authors always retain full copyright and ownership of their work.
Every hybrid publishing project includes a dedicated Author Experience Manager who remains your consistent point of contact throughout your publishing journey. While you'll work directly with the specialist leading each stage of your project—from editing and design to production and marketing—your Author Experience Manager provides continuity from beginning to end. They help answer questions, ensure nothing falls through the cracks, coordinate across departments when needed, and make sure your publishing experience is as smooth, responsive, and enjoyable as possible.
Market Positioning & Strategy
Each title receives a professional positioning evaluation from Zoe Sandler, a veteran Big Five literary agent. This includes target readership, comparable titles, and clear genre placement—ensuring your book is presented in a way the market understands and responds to.
We conduct in-depth keyword and category research to position your book for effective discovery through 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.
Reviews & Credibility
Your book is submitted to Midwest Book Review prior to launch, with the goal of securing an early professional endorsement for use in marketing and as a quoted review blurb on the cover.
Each title is submitted to three respected awards: Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Foreword Indies, and the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
We prioritize awards that are genuinely competitive—where recognition reflects meaningful distinction.
Audience Exposure & Launch
DartFrog is the exclusive partner of Bookclubs.com for vetting independently published titles. Your book is featured in the Great Indie Reads program, reaching over 200,000 book clubs, 700,000 email subscribers, and a community of more than 1.4 million readers.
Each title also includes custom discussion questions (written by DartFrog) to support book club adoption.
Before publication, your book is made available to members of Shelf Scout, DartFrog's advance reader community. Readers who request your book receive a forensically watermarked digital copy and are invited to share their reactions through the Shelf Scout platform. During launch, participants are encouraged to engage with DartFrog's social media posts about your book, helping build authentic reader engagement and visibility during release. There are currently 2000+ readers in the Shelf Scout community.
Your book is introduced through Indie Discoveries, DartFrog's reader discovery platform, reaching approximately 3500 readers who have opted in to discover outstanding independent books. Each featured title includes purchase links and remains part of the Indie Discoveries collection as an evergreen listing that can be updated over time with awards, reviews, media coverage, and other news, helping keep your book visible long after launch.
Your book is introduced to DartFrog's curated network of Instagram book influencers. We provide you with a list of influencers who have expressed interest in reading your book. You review their Instagram profiles and select the ten (10) influencers you'd like to receive your book. Each influencer then shares an honest, independent review of your book with their followers.
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 custom, ready-to-use social media campaign designed to guide readers from discovery to purchase, with professionally written content for pre-launch, launch week, and post-launch. The campaign text includes suggestions for visuals you can create to accompany each post.
Your book is featured on the DartFrog website, including homepage placement and a dedicated author spotlight. Your book is also featured on DartFrog's Instagram channel, which typically gets more than 50,000 views a month.
Throughout the publishing process, you work directly with the DartFrog team members leading each stage of production—from editing and design to marketing and publication. Each specialist oversees their area of expertise while coordinating with the rest of the team to keep your project moving forward.
True Origin™ verification is included with every Hybrid project, creating a documented record of your book's development and creation history. This gives authors an added layer of clarity in a publishing landscape where questions about originality, authorship, and AI-generated content are becoming increasingly important.
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 $15,000,
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.