How We Compare
Below is a chart that shows a comparison of several popular book publishing services and publishers, with data taken from their websites. This should help you to figure out which is the best value to fit your specific book’s needs.
(To download a pdf of the table below, Click Here.)
Compare
Price Ranges >
What Is Offered
V
Book Creation Process: Including Editing, Interior and Cover Design, Proofreading, Completed Publication, and Final Submission to Distributor.
Author Page on Company Site
Payment for Services Via
Number of Available Trim Sizes
Book Types Available
Supplied ISBNs Listed As
Copyright Registration Filing
Publisher Registered With Library of Congress and Can Provide An LCCN
Offers Print-On-Demand (POD) Books
Global Distribution
Time Until Book is Available for Sale After Completed Publishing Submission
Royalty Amount
Time Schedule of Royalty
Payment After Book Sale
Royalties Paid By
Mandatory Number of Book Copies One Must Purchase
Make Your Choice!
Picky Press
$567 Basic -
$3,537 VIP
Everything Is Done For You. Assigned Personal Editor Who Goes Through Each Stage of Creation/Design/Edits/Completion with Author, to Ensure Quality, Satisfaction, and Author's Control. Custom Cover Design Included. No Hidden/Added Costs. Charge Flat Rate Per Project.
Yes, Plus Free Book Page
Secure Zelle, Stripe or PayPal, with Monthly Payment Plans Available. Must Be Paid in Full Prior to Submission.
13 Common Sizes Listed, 17 More Available By Request
Publisher: Picky Press
Yes, Picky Press Acts as an Agent. Copyright Certificate is Sent to Author, Who Owns It.
Yes. Publisher Aqcuires LCCN for Author and Ships 1 Book Copy to Library of Congress
Yes
Yes
E-Books, about 24 hours. Print Books, About 1-3 Days
50% After Net On All Books
In 3 Months
Check, Zelle, or PayPal
No. Order As Many Or Few As You Like At Cost.
Amazon /
Kindle (KDP)
Free -
DIY Only
DYI Only Through Automated Upload with Little or No Quality Control, Editing, or Proofreading. Cover Design is DIY with Templates and Stock Images. Little to No Human Intervention to Determine Proper Image or Print Quality.
Yes, Only If KDP Published
Secure: AmazonStore Card, PayPal On Site for Book Orders.
16
Self-Published
No
No
Yes
Yes, for Less Royalties, & Only If "Global" Option is Selected
In About 48 Hours
If Published on Amazon Only- 60% After Net,
If Global- 40% After Net
In 2 Months, 3 Months Global
ACH Direct Deposit
No. Order As Many Or Few As You Like At Cost.
Lulu
Free If Sold Only on LuluStore -
Up to $2,700 for Global
Everything is DIY with Templates, or Hire Out for Design and Editing with Your Own Money.
Automated Upload. Authors Must Proof Their Own Book to Determine Image, Editorial and Print Quality.
Yes, If Published on LuluStore
All Major Credit Cards On Site for Books Available Globally.
14
Publisher: Lulu
No
No
Yes
Yes, If Selected
Instantly On LuluStore Only,
In Up To 8 Weeks Globally
80% After Net (Likely Due to Their Unusually High Fees and Printing Costs)
PayPal: Monthly if Over $5,
Checks: Quarterly If $20 or More After 45 Days
Check or PayPal
No. Order As Many Or Few As You Like At Cost.
BookBaby
$1,090 Express -
$2,890 Deluxe
Payment Up-Front Allows Download of DIY Template, and Then Rest is Done For You. Option of Hiring Out with Your Own Money in Addition to Other Costs. Editing/ Proofing Is Additional Up to $2-7 Per Page. Cover Design Additional $599. Final Book Is Human Approved.
Only w/ Deluxe Publishing
All Major Credit Cards on Site, or PayPal- Payment in Full Prior to Any Work Done.
13
Publisher: BookBaby
No
No
Yes, for $399 Setup Fee, Plus Orders of 25 Books or More
Yes, for $399, Plus Order of 25 Books
Instantly On BookBaby Only, In 3-4 Weeks Globally
Between 10-30% (Unclear As To What This Is On)
In 3 Months
Check, PayPal, or ACH Direct Deposit
Yes- 1 Copy for $99,
or 25 copies for $399
Traditional Publishers
$5,000 - $15,000 Depending on Book
Everything is Done For the Author with or without Their Permission, Since Usually Traditional Publisher Owns All Book Rights. Newer Authors Are Required to Put Money Up-Front to Fund Expenses.
Maybe
Varies by Publisher, Payment is Usually Up-Front. Some May Offer Payment Plans.
Custom, So No Limit
Publisher: [Company Name]
Yes, But Copyright May Be Listed Under Publisher Instead of Author. (Meaning THEY Own It!)
Yes. Publisher Applies for LCCN, and Ships 1 Book Copy to Library of Congress
Yes
In 9-18 Months
Usually 10% on Net- After Any Paid Advances (If Applicable)
Every 6 Months
Usually By Check
Yes. Number Is Dependent On Print Run.