When Deborah Kevin first helped an author escape a predatory vanity press, she didn’t know she’d found her calling. But the experience—watching a woman reclaim her book, her confidence, and her story—lit a fire that still fuels her work today.

Deborah is now the founder of Highlander Press, a hybrid publishing house that prioritizes author rights, education, and long-term success. On this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, she shares what every author needs to know before signing a publishing contract.

“There are publishers out there taking everything—your rights, your royalties, even your voice. We’re here to do the opposite.” — Deborah Kevin

A hybrid publisher, Deborah explains, isn’t the same as a vanity press. But many authors don’t know the difference—and that confusion can cost them their copyright, control, and future income.

Vanity presses often:

• Accept every manuscript
• Require authors to buy large quantities of books upfront
• Offer vague contracts with “all rights” clauses
• Disappear after publishing, with no real marketing or royalty structure

“If someone asks you to give up all your rights—including foreign, film, or lifetime use—run. That’s not partnership. That’s exploitation.”

Deborah urges authors to look for publishers who:

• Are transparent about what they offer and what they don’t
• Provide clear royalty splits and licensing terms
• Involve authors in decisions like cover design and marketing
• Offer a way to exit the contract and regain rights

What makes Highlander Press stand out isn’t just what it avoids—it’s what it provides.

Authors accepted for publication go through a full “Writer to Author Academy” where they:

• Learn the publishing process step-by-step
• Attend weekly classes on covers, blurbs, marketing, and IP rights
• Connect with other authors in the same publishing cohort
• Build long-term support systems and receive ongoing mentorship after launch

“Publishing should be empowering, not overwhelming. We’re not just publishing books—we’re building confident, informed authors.”

And Deborah knows firsthand how scary it can be to hit “publish.” Even with years of experience, when she released her book Shelf Life, she faced the same fears her clients do: what if no one reads it? What if someone hates it? What if I’m not enough?

“To be in integrity, I had to do the thing I was asking others to do. I had to face the fear and publish anyway.”

She tells a story—a metaphor—that’s stuck with us since recording:

“Not sharing your wisdom is like baking a tray of warm brownies while your guests are in the other room… and then closing the door and eating them all yourself.”

Your story, she says, isn’t just for you. It’s meant to be shared. And the right publisher will help you do that in a way that feels safe, supported, and truly yours.