Self-publishing services compared

Are you ready to find a self-publishing service for your masterpiece? In this article we hope to help you discover the right one for your needs, whether it’s a full-service shop, simply a printing press, or an ebook conversion. Even though—as we always say—you can do it yourself, everyone needs at least a little help getting their book out there.

Possibly the majority of new publishers go straight to KDP, but many folks prefer to avoid Amazon for their own reasons. We will focus here mostly on other well-known self-publishing services. Aside from the ones we mention, there are many more to be found online and even advertised on television. Please read our words of caution at the end of this article about all self-publishing services.

Analyze your distribution needs first

It’s true that editing, typesetting, and cover design are exciting and really make you feel that you’re inching closer to being a published author. But what you really should consider first are marketing and distribution. Because what good does it do to produce a book that nobody will discover and read?

There are dozens of self-publishing services out there, and no two are alike. We review and compare the eleven biggest. https://tinyurl.com/46yy57uk Share on X

Previously in this blog we’ve written about pricing your book, book distribution, marketing to libraries, and the true story of a successful self-published author. Now—before you print your book—is the time to get serious about how you want it to be noticed among the millions that are published every year. And how you want to physically get it into people’s hands or onto their devices.

You, the author, are going to be responsible for marketing your book. Even the biggest publishers do very little to promote books these days, especially for new authors. So get your plan going ASAP, even as you are writing, editing, designing, and proofreading, because self-publishing service companies are not going to help you very much.

However, they do have distribution schemes.

Okay, now we’ve said it. So when you read the descriptions below, look first at the distribution opportunities that are offered by the various self-publishing services. Will they meet your needs?

Self-publishing services

Here is the list, in alphabetical order. If you’d like to see more detailed information in the form of a table, click here to download a PDF. We do not list prices for services (unless they are free) or royalty percentages, as these all depend on circumstances.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

We include the Amazon self-publishing service mostly so you can compare the others to it.

• Worldwide distribution of print and ebooks exclusively through their own channels.
• POD (print on demand) book printing for sales on Amazon.com is available, or you can print elsewhere and ship books to them for distribution.
• Free ebook conversion.
• Marketing is through your own skillful use of keywords and purchased advertising schemes.
• Book production help is available on the site and through videos, webinars, and articles. There is no list of resources such as editors, designers, etc.
• Do not use for personal books that you don’t plan to sell.

Barnes & Noble Press

B&N Press offers relatively high author royalties.

• Distribution is through bn.com and Barnes & Noble bookstores in the United States.
• Marketing packages are available for purchase.
• Print books (both POD and in bulk) and ebooks.
  
• Online author tools and tips, and a list of third-party book production and marketing resources.
• Personal books are welcome.

Blurb

Blurb is known chiefly for photo books but also prints trade books, magazines, notebooks, journals, and wall art.

• Trade books are sold through Blurb’s online store and Ingram (the biggest wholesaler to thousands of bookstores).
• Photo books are sold through Blurb and Amazon.
• Marketing is through a personal Blurb “storefront” (web page).
• Books are printed either POD or in bulk (100+).
• No ebooks, but books can be produced as PDFs.
• You are required to use one of four software options (including an InDesign plugin) for design and typesetting. Other resources, such as for editing, are not offered.
• Personal books are welcome.

Bookbaby

Bookbaby is popular with first-time authors and may be more affordable than other self-publishing services in this article.

• Trade books are sold through a large number of wholesalers and retailers, including Amazon.
• Various marketing packages are offered for a fee.
• Three levels of self-publishing packages can be purchased, or you can use Bookbaby simply for printing.
• Ebook conversion.
• Help is offered through a resources list, guidebooks, a blog, and a Help desk.
• Book interior and cover templates are available.
• Personal books are accepted.

Bookvault

Bookvault is a British self-publishing service. Its greatest strength is relatively affordable POD printing.

• Global distribution is through The Great British Book Shop.
• Sell directly through your own website by integrating with one or more fulfillment services such as Shopify or Wix.
• No ebooks.
• A list of trusted editors and designers is offered.
• Members of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) can upload titles for free and receive other discounts.
• Bulk printing is available and personal books are welcome.

Draft2Digital

In 2022, Draft2Digital merged with Smashwords. There is no upfront cost when using this self-publishing service for printing or ebook conversion.

• Ebooks can be distributed through just about any retailer, including Amazon and Apple Books.
• Book promotion consists of an author page on their site and other online tools for book discoverability.
• Print books can sell wholesale through Ingram and retail through Amazon. (Read the fine print for limitations.)
• Convert your manuscript to an ebook with their design templates.
• Outside book production services are listed on their site.
• Six print trim sizes for paperbacks.
• Personal books are not specifically mentioned on the site, but you can list your ebook for free (except on Amazon).

IngramSpark

IngramSpark is a major self-publishing service and is part of the Ingram book distribution company, the largest in the United States.

• Distribution to 45,000 retailers worldwide.
• Can be used in conjunction with other self-publishing services, or simply as a printer for personal books or to use as proofs or book review copies.
• Ebook conversion.
• You do your own marketing, but guides are provided.
• Setup costs are relatively low, and sometimes free during a promotion period. Also look for discounts through some of the publishing associations.
• 32 trim sizes for print books.
• Free cover and layout templates plus guidelines.
• Free online courses on many self-publishing topics.

Kobo Writing Life

Kobo is for ebooks and audiobooks only. Popular fiction is more successful than other genres.

• Worldwide ebook distribution is through Overdrive (to libraries) and the Kobo Store.
• Aside from free ebook conversion, no production services are offered. Use Reedsy for editing, design, or marketing if you need assistance.
• 68 world languages are supported.
• Author payments vary according to the amount of time readers spend reading your book(s).
• For audiobooks, you create your own, then Kobo will distribute it for you.

Lulu

With Lulu.com, you are well guided through the process of publishing print books and ebooks.

• Global distribution of both print books (Amazon, Ingram, Hachette) and ebooks (Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and more).
• Sell through a Lulu store, your website, or with POD through retailers.
• 16 trim sizes for print books. Several binding styles.
• Ebook conversion to EPUB and PDF.
• Languages are limited to those using Latin script for print books, and English only for ebooks.
• They have lots of book production, marketing, and distribution guidebooks to download. Design templates, too.
• Professional book production resources are listed.
• Personal print books are welcome.

PublishDrive

The strength of PublishDrive is worldwide book distribution of your ebooks, audiobooks, and print books.

• Global distribution through multiple channels, all automated on one site.
• Book promotion schemes are available for a modest fee.
• After the first book (initial ebooks are free), a flat fee is charged monthly. No other charges or percentages are taken.
• 30 trim sizes for print books.
• Ebook conversion.
• Tips are provided to help authors produce their own audiobooks.
• Help is not offered for editing, design, proofreading, etc. No listing of these service providers.
• Not recommended for personal books, as the main service is distribution.

Xlibris

Xlibris is one of the oldest self-publishing services and still offers several flexible options. Depending on the package that you buy, you can receive:

• Distribution worldwide through Ingram, Amazon, Google, Baker and Taylor, etc.
• Social media and website setup assistance.
• A marketing guide PDF.
• Print-ready files for bookmarks and business cards.
• 7 trim sizes for print books.
• Ebook conversion.
• Interior and cover design, editing, cover copy polishing are included. No proofreading.
• For personal books, this would be a very expensive way to go.

Small book publishers

Please don’t forget that there are lots and lots of small or tiny publishers out there. Probably at least one of them would be a great fit for your book, and they would take the self out of self-publishing. Take a look at this directory from TCK Publishing and this one from Poets & Writers. Or find another online list that matches your country, language, or genre.

Words of caution

As we mentioned above, marketing and distribution should be your first consideration when choosing a self-publishing service. But also:

• Read the fine print.
• Review all of the details of a company’s services. Never assume that they will take care of anything they do not mention.
• Does the company offer the trim size that you want? If not, how much will it cost for a custom size?
• Read the customer reviews.
• Figure out how much you’d pay to receive a certain number of printed copies. Does that price include items such as editing, design, indexing, proofreading as well as printing? Is this amount worth it to you?
• Some self-publishing services accept large sums of your money, send you a few copies of your book, and that’s about it. Additional copies can cost you a lot of money. We used to call these companies vanity presses, but nowadays it is quite difficult to see much difference between self-publishing services and vanity presses. Use any service with caution.

We’ve done some of the work for you, and now you know what to look for. We hope you’ll find the right self-publishing service for your book, even if you need to expand your search beyond the list above. Share your experience with our other readers in the comments below!

Read more: Calculate page count using word count » so you can get an accurate estimate from your provider.
And more: Book printers for indie authors » If you simply need a printer, start your search here.
And even more: How much does it cost to self-publish? » Helps you figure out your other costs.

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