Frequently Asked Questions

About Flight of Dragons

Is Flight of Dragons legitimate?

Yes — and we completely understand why you're asking. The publishing industry, particularly the hybrid sector, has been badly damaged by predatory companies making grand promises and charging authors thousands of pounds for little in return. We think it's important to name that directly.

Flight of Dragons Publishing Ltd is a registered UK company. We are a small team, and every author who works with us will have consistent, personal support throughout their journey — from the first conversation to the final sale. There are no faceless pipelines, no upsell pressure, and no obligation to sign anything before you're ready. We actively encourage you to ask questions, take your time, and speak to our current authors before making any decision.

What is hybrid publishing — and why has the term been misused?

Hybrid publishing sits between traditional publishing (where a publisher funds and controls everything) and self-publishing (where the author does everything independently). In a genuine hybrid model, costs and responsibilities are shared, the author retains ownership of their work, and the publisher provides real professional support.

Unfortunately, the term "hybrid publisher" has been adopted by a number of companies that are, in practice, vanity presses — charging large upfront fees with little editorial rigour or genuine support. This has made many authors rightly cautious.

At Flight of Dragons, we use the term honestly. Our rates are transparent and published openly. We do not accept every manuscript. We do not charge for services we don't deliver. And we will always tell you clearly what you're getting before you commit to anything.

How are you different from a vanity press?

A vanity press will publish almost anything for a fee, with minimal editorial input and no real investment in the author's success. The business model depends on authors paying — not on books selling.

Our model is different. We work selectively, because our reputation depends on the quality of what we publish. We provide genuine editorial, mentoring, and sales support. And crucially — authors keep 100% of the profits from their online and in-person sales. Our subscription fee covers the platform, the support, and the sales infrastructure. It is not a commission on your success.

How are you different from a traditional publisher?

A traditional publisher funds the entire production process and takes on the financial risk — but in return, they take the majority of royalties and retain significant control over your work, including cover design, title, and sometimes content. Acceptance is extremely competitive and the process can take years.

With Flight of Dragons, you retain ownership and creative control. The process is faster, more personal, and more collaborative. You'll know exactly what's happening at every stage — because you'll be talking to the same people throughout.

Who will I be working with?

You'll work with a small, dedicated team throughout your journey. We don't hand you off to different people at different stages — you'll have consistent support and a familiar point of contact from your first conversation to your ongoing sales.

Our Services

What services do you offer?

We offer a range of services for authors at every stage — whether you're published through us or independently. You do not need to have published with Flight of Dragons to access our services.

For authors and writers, we offer proofreading and editing, manuscript development, one-to-one mentoring, translation, and facilitated sales through our online store and, wherever possible, in person.

For businesses, schools, and organisations, we offer professional translation services across multiple languages, policy writing and review, training material development, written communications support, and workshops. Whether you need a document translated, a staff handbook written, educational resources created, or a workshop delivered, we can help. Bespoke packages are available and we're always happy to discuss your specific requirements.

What does the process look like step by step?

1. You get in touch and we have an initial conversation — no obligation, no pressure
2. We discuss your manuscript, your goals, and what support would be most useful
3. We agree a package and timeline that works for both of us
4. Work begins — editing, mentoring, or preparation for publication, depending on your needs
5. Your book is published and listed for sale through Flight of Dragons and other agreed channels
6. You receive your own dedicated author page on our website
7. We continue to support you with sales, promotion, and whatever comes next

Do I keep the rights to my work?

Yes, always. Your work belongs to you. We never ask for ownership of your manuscript, your characters, or your story. Our role is to support you — not to acquire your intellectual property.

The Subscription — Facilitated Sales

What is the subscription service?

Our subscription is for authors who want Flight of Dragons to actively facilitate the sale of their book on their behalf — through our online store, at events, and through our wider network.

One of the biggest challenges for self-published authors is having somewhere to sell. You can write and publish a book, but without a platform, visibility, and infrastructure, sales are an uphill struggle. Our subscription gives you that — at a flat monthly fee, without taking a cut of what you earn.

Importantly, you do not need to have published with us to subscribe. If you're already self-published and simply need a home for your sales, you're very welcome. Our services are open to all authors, regardless of how or where their book was published.

What's included in the subscription?

For a flat fee of £25 per month, you receive:

• Your book listed in our online store
• Your own dedicated author page on our website — which serves as your promotional web presence, saving you the cost of separate hosting and advertising
• Inclusion in our wider promotional activity
• All online and in-person sales handled through our platform, with 100% of the profits passed directly to you

How does the commission structure work?

For online and in-person sales, you keep everything. We take nothing from those sales — the £25 subscription covers our costs.

For bookshop sales, the retailer typically takes 45–50% of the cover price. In addition, if your bookshop sales alone exceed £75 in a single month, Flight of Dragons takes a 12.5% commission on the total bookshop sales for that month. We think that's fair — and we're always happy to talk through what that means in practice for your book.

What if I want to cancel?

You can cancel your subscription at any time. We'll always handle the end of a working relationship with the same care and respect as the beginning of one.

Our Values

Why do you champion neurodivergent and autistic authors?

Because their stories deserve to be told — and the traditional publishing world has not always made space for them.

We are passionate advocates for neurodivergent voices, and that commitment is woven into everything Flight of Dragons does. We know that the publishing process can feel overwhelming, particularly for authors who experience the world differently. We work at your pace, communicate in the way that works best for you, and we never make you feel like you need to mask or perform in order to be taken seriously.

We are actively working to bring more neurodivergent and autistic voices into mainstream print — not as a niche, but as a natural and essential part of the literary landscape.