Access Bookstores, Enjoy Book Launches, and Discover Hybrid Publishing

Would you like to professionally publish your book with support from a reputable publisher, gain access to bookstores across South African malls, and still retain the majority control of your publishing rights?

Bula Buka Publishers introduces hybrid publishing — a publishing model that offers the best of both worlds: traditional expertise and author independence.

Why Hybrid Publishing?

We’ve successfully published hundreds of books, distributed them to major bookstores, and hosted impactful book launches at bookshops, hotels, and in the media.

Like most publishers, we aim to publish as many quality books as possible — but we are often limited by financial and human resources. Publishing involves significant investment and risk, and not every book becomes a bestseller.

Hybrid publishing is the perfect solution when you are passionate about publishing your book and willing to share in the publishing costs. If your book holds personal, cultural, or professional importance beyond commercial sales, this model allows us to work together to bring it to life.

Why Some Authors Publish Beyond Just Sales

Many authors choose to publish for reasons that go far beyond book sales, such as:

• Preserving a story of historical or cultural significance
• Establishing thought leadership or becoming a recognized expert
• Sharing a personal journey that provides self-help or inspiration
• Creating opportunities for future intellectual property adaptations, such as films

What Is Hybrid Publishing?

Hybrid publishing is a blend of traditional publishing and self-publishing.

• The publisher performs all the publishing functions: editing, design, printing, distribution, book launches, media, and more.
• The author funds most of the publishing activities, such as cover design, editing, co-writing, media campaigns, and printing.

At Bula Buka, we manage and lead the entire publishing process, including distributing your book to bookstores and actively soliciting orders — as we are a traditional publisher.

We Do Not Accept Every Book

We are not a vanity press. We do not accept every manuscript submitted to us. We follow a strict evaluation process and only accept books we would publish under our traditional model.

Where Our Books Are Sold

Our titles are available at leading bookstores including:

• Exclusive Books
• Bargain Books
• Van Schaik
• Wordsworth Books
• Takealot.com

Internationally, our books are distributed through:

• Amazon.com
• Apple Books
• Barnesandnoble.com
• …and over 10 other global platforms.

Cost of Publishing

Each book is unique, so we customise publishing packages per manuscript. However, costs typically start at R30,000.

Royalties and Ownership

• The author retains full rights to their book.
• The author receives a higher-than-standard royalty share.
• Terms are negotiable and transparent.

We follow the principles set out by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) — although we are not a formal member. See them at the bottom.

An Analogy for Hybrid Publishing

Think of hybrid publishing like a family hiring a company to build and manage a hotel in memory of their significant ancestor. The family funds the project, while the company brings expertise in construction, branding, and marketing. The result? A legacy honoured, and a professionally managed enterprise.

What Kind of Books Do We Publish?

We consider both fiction and nonfiction, including: novels, memoirs, self-help, cookbooks, lifestyle books, youth titles, cultural works, etc.

About Bula Buka Publishers

Founded in 2014, Bula Buka Publishers is a proudly South African publishing house and book distributor. We are known for pioneering the “diary chronicle” genre and for working with bold, visionary authors.

We are more than just a publisher — we offer catalogue management, project management, publishing advisory, and marketing support.

Our roster includes notable books such as actress Rami Chuene’s We Kissed the Sun and Embraced the Moon, former YFM CEO Kanthan Pillay’s How to Fix South Africa, former Springbok player Gcobani Bobo’s Rise of the Dagger, Bakhe Dlamini’s The Naked Truth About Men, Mike Maphoto’s Diary of a Zulu Girl, Lesego Maake’s Diary of a Side Chick Makhwapheni, Mutshidzi Mutshinya’s Chronicles of a Slay Queen, Londiwe Xaba and Siphelele Masango’s Diary of a Cheating Wife, Rinus le Roux’s Passport to the Future, Lenah Mochole’s Walking a Mile in Your Shoes, and Tiisetso Maloma’s Future of Township Economies.

Contact Us

To get started, visit our contact page and schedule a short virtual meeting. We’ll discuss your manuscript and publishing vision.

Note: Due to our selective editorial standards, only a limited number of submissions are accepted.

IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria

We align with the IBPA’s recommended standards for hybrid publishers:

• A clear mission and publishing vision
• Rigorous manuscript vetting
• Transparent business practices
• Fair and negotiable contracts
• Publishing under our own imprint and ISBNs
• Adherence to industry editorial and production standards
• Management of publishing rights
• Robust distribution channels
• Respectable sales performance
• Royalties that are above industry standard

Let us help you bring your book to life — professionally and meaningfully.