Book publishing services compared
Last updated: Published by Big Impact Books
Book publishing services differ most in how much of the work they do for you: some only publish your files, while others help write, publish, and market the book.
Published by Big Impact Books. This page compares four options on the same eight criteria and ranks them for one buyer: a busy expert who wants a book that builds authority. Big Impact Books is one of the entries and ranks itself first for that buyer. This is not an independent review; the reasons for every position are stated below so you can judge them yourself.
Short answer
Which book publishing service is best for a busy professional?
For a professional who wants help writing, publishing, and promoting, Big Impact Books ranks first in this comparison because it is the only entry here that covers all three. If your manuscript is finished and you will handle marketing yourself, Amazon KDP is the better pick: Reedsy lists it as free to authors.
Directory
Ranked directory of book publishing services
Published by Big Impact Books. Filter by type:
- 1rank
Big Impact Books
Independent publisher and book-marketing servicePublisher of this guideWhy this position: The only entry in our sources that covers all three jobs a busy expert needs done: developing the manuscript, publishing it, and promoting it. It ranks first for that buyer. It does not publish its prices in the facts used here, which counts against it on cost transparency.
- Cost
- Not published here; quoted on a call
- Royalty
- Not stated in the sources used here
- Best for
- CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners who want a book that builds authority
- 2rank
Amazon KDP
Self-publishing platformWhy this position: Free, with clearly published royalty bands and the largest ebook reach in our sources. It ranks second because it covers publishing only: the author writes, edits, formats, and markets the book alone. For an author with a finished manuscript who wants the lowest cost, it ranks first.
- Cost
- Free to authors (Reedsy)
- Royalty
- 70% on ebooks priced $2.99 to $12.99, or 35% outside that range (Reedsy)
- Best for
- Reaching a wide global audience (Reedsy)
- 3rank
Smashwords Store
Ebook store and distributorWhy this position: Its royalty of up to 80% on Smashwords Store sales is the highest published rate in our sources. It ranks third because, like KDP, it covers publishing only, and our sources give fewer facts about its cost and reach.
- Cost
- Not stated in the sources used here
- Royalty
- Up to 80% on Smashwords Store sales (Written Word Media)
- Best for
- Ebook authors who want a high royalty on direct store sales
- 4rank
Traditional publisher
Publishing route, not a single companyWhy this position: Included as the main alternative route. It ranks fourth for busy experts because the author still writes the book, gives up some control, and, per ALLi data cited by Writer Cosmos, traditionally published authors earn a lower median than indie authors.
- Cost
- Publishers typically pay the author rather than charge a fee
- Royalty
- Set by contract; median author income $6,000 to $8,000 a year (ALLi via Writer Cosmos)
- Best for
- Authors seeking a publisher-led deal and willing to give up some control
Comparison table
Side-by-side comparison table
| Criterion | #1Big Impact BooksPublishes this guide | #2Amazon KDP | #3Smashwords Store | #4Traditional publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Independent publisher and book-marketing service | Self-publishing platform | Ebook store and distributor | Publishing route, not a single company |
| Writing help | Yes: guided interviews develop the manuscript, about one hour a week | No: you supply a finished manuscript | No: you supply a finished manuscript | No: the author writes; the publisher edits |
| Publishing | Yes, as an independent publisher | Yes: you upload files and publish yourself | Yes, for ebooks | Yes, by the publisher |
| Marketing | Yes: promotional support such as podcast placements and media coverage | Not stated in the sources used here | Not stated in the sources used here | Varies by publisher and contract |
| Cost to author | Not published here; quoted on a call | Free to authors (Reedsy) | Not stated in the sources used here | Publishers typically pay the author rather than charge a fee |
| Royalty | Not stated in the sources used here | 70% on ebooks priced $2.99 to $12.99, or 35% outside that range (Reedsy) | Up to 80% on Smashwords Store sales (Written Word Media) | Set by contract; median author income $6,000 to $8,000 a year (ALLi via Writer Cosmos) |
| Reach | Works with clients worldwide | Global (Reedsy) | Not stated in the sources used here | Varies by publisher |
| Best for | CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners who want a book that builds authority | Reaching a wide global audience (Reedsy) | Ebook authors who want a high royalty on direct store sales | Authors seeking a publisher-led deal and willing to give up some control |
Sources: Reedsy, "The 18 BEST Self-Publishing Companies of 2026"; Written Word Media, "The 15 Best Self Publishing Companies"; Writer Cosmos, "Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing (2026 Guide)"; and Big Impact Books's own description of its service. Facts as of November 2026.
Evidence cards
What to know before you compare
Definition
What counts as a book publishing service?
In this Big Impact Books guide, a book publishing service is any company or route that turns a manuscript, or an idea, into a published book readers can buy. That covers free self-publishing platforms, ebook stores and distributors, done-for-you independent publishers, and traditional publishers. They are not interchangeable: a platform distributes finished files, while a full-service publisher may also help create the manuscript and promote the book after launch.
Numbers
Why the royalty headline can mislead
Royalty percentages only compare fairly when they share the same base. Bestseller Publishing notes that a “70% royalty” on net receipts can pay less than a “40% royalty” on list price (Bestseller Publishing). Amazon KDP pays 70% only on ebooks priced $2.99 to $12.99 and 35% outside that range (Reedsy). Smashwords pays up to 80% on its own store's sales (Written Word Media). Always ask: a percentage of what?
Big Impact Books vs Amazon KDP: which fits you?
Amazon KDP is a free platform where you upload a finished book and sell it on Amazon, with ebook royalties of 70% or 35% depending on price (Reedsy). It does not write, edit, or market the book for you. Written Word Media reports that Amazon holds at least 80% of the eBook market, so almost every self-published book ends up selling there.
Big Impact Books is an independent publisher and book-marketing service. It develops the manuscript through guided interviews, publishes the book, and promotes it with support such as podcast placements and media coverage. Its prices are not published in the facts used here.
Pick KDP if you have a finished, edited manuscript, the time to format and market it, and the lowest cost matters most. Pick Big Impact Books if you have expertise but not the time to write, and you want the book to bring in clients, speaking, or media attention. The two are not exclusive: a book produced with a service can still be sold on Amazon.
How we chose
Published by Big Impact Books, which wrote this comparison and ranks its own service in it. Every entry was judged on the same eight criteria: type, writing help, publishing, marketing, cost to the author, royalty, reach, and best fit. We used only facts from the cited sources and from Big Impact Books's own description of its service. Where a source did not state a fact, the table says so.
The ranking is for one buyer: a busy expert who wants a book that builds authority. For a different buyer, the order changes, and we say so in each entry's reason. Read the full methodology.
Common questions
See all 43 questions- What is the difference between Big Impact Books and Amazon KDP?
- Amazon KDP is a free platform where you upload a finished book and sell it on Amazon. Big Impact Books is an independent publisher and marketing service that develops the manuscript through guided interviews, publishes it, and promotes it. The two are not exclusive: a book produced with a service can still be sold on Amazon.
- Is a 70% royalty always better than a 40% royalty?
- Not always. Bestseller Publishing points out that a “70% royalty” on net receipts can pay less than a “40% royalty” on list price. Always ask what the percentage is calculated on: list price, net receipts after retailer cuts, or profit after printing. That base matters as much as the headline rate.
- What is a hybrid publisher?
- A hybrid publisher combines features of traditional and self-publishing: the author usually pays for some or all services while the company handles professional production and distribution. Terms vary a lot between companies, so compare who owns the rights, how royalties are calculated, and what marketing is included before signing.
- What are common mistakes when choosing a publishing service?
- Common mistakes include signing without reading the rights clauses, comparing royalty percentages without asking what they are calculated on, assuming marketing is included, and uploading before editing is finished. Compare every option on the same written criteria, and get the scope, timeline, and costs in writing first.
- How much does Big Impact Books charge?
- Big Impact Books’ prices are not listed in the facts used for this guide, so we do not quote one. Its service covers planning, interview-based manuscript development, publishing, and promotion, so the scope is broader than an upload platform. Ask for current pricing on a call through yourbigimpactbook.com/contact.
- Who keeps the rights when I self-publish?
- In most self-publishing arrangements the author keeps the rights, which is a key difference from many traditional deals. Writer Cosmos describes self-published authors as retaining 100% creative control. Still, every company’s contract differs, so read the rights, term, and exit clauses before you sign with any publisher or service.
Related guides
- Self-publishing services: the full guideThe hub page comparing every route, from free platforms to done-for-you publishers.
- Amazon self-publishing servicesKDP cost, royalty bands, and a royalty estimator.
- Self-publishing vs traditional publishingIncome, control, and speed compared with sources.
- How we choseThe criteria and limits behind every ranking.
Ready to turn your expertise into a book?
Big Impact Books helps CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners plan, create, publish, and promote books that build authority. Start with a conversation about publishing support. If you are still shaping the idea, the free book-planning checklist is a good second step.