Comparison
Self-publishing services or an independent publisher?
Last updated: Published by Big Impact Books
This comparison is published by Big Impact Books, an independent publisher. It is not an independent review.
Self-publishing services suit authors who want to be their own publisher and manage each task, while an independent publisher suits experts who want the process managed with them.
Big Impact Books is an independent publisher that develops manuscripts through guided interviews and then handles publishing and promotion. Self-publishing services instead sell individual tasks, such as editing, cover design or formatting, that the author coordinates. Neither is better for everyone; the right choice depends on your time and how much control you want.
Which is better, self-publishing services or an independent publisher?
Self-publishing services win if you have time to manage the project, want every decision to be yours, or have already written the manuscript. An independent publisher such as Big Impact Books wins if you are a busy CEO, attorney or business owner who wants the book written, published and promoted without becoming a project manager.
What each option means
Self-publishing services are companies or freelancers you hire for specific steps while you remain the publisher. You might upload the final book yourself to a platform such as Amazon KDP. You set the schedule, approve every choice and coordinate the people involved.
An independent publisher is a publishing company outside the large traditional houses that works with authors through the process. Terms such as rights, royalties and ISBN registration differ from one independent publisher to another, so ask any publisher, including Big Impact Books, to explain theirs in writing.
Self-publishing services and an independent publisher, side by side
| Point | Self-publishing services | Independent publisher (Big Impact Books) |
|---|---|---|
| Who manages the project | You | The publisher, with you |
| Manuscript | You write it or hire separately | Developed through guided interviews |
| Your weekly time | Writing plus coordinating vendors | Designed around about one hour a week |
| Marketing | Usually your job or a separate hire | Included: podcast placements and media coverage |
| Control | Every decision is yours | Shared, with your voice at the center |
Questions to ask either kind of provider
- Which tasks are included, and which will I handle?
- Who owns the rights, and how are royalties handled?
- Are ISBNs included, and in whose name are they registered?
- Does marketing begin before launch?
- How many hours a week will I need?
Settle your own priorities first with the book planning checklist, then compare all five service models in our book publishing services guide.
How we chose
Big Impact Books wrote this comparison and publishes this site. Both options were judged on the same five points: project management, manuscript, author time, marketing and control. We describe self-publishing services by how they generally work, and individual providers vary. See our methodology.
Keep reading
From the full FAQ
Common questions
- What is the difference between self-publishing services and an independent publisher?
- With self-publishing services, you remain the publisher and hire help for individual tasks such as editing or cover design, then manage the project yourself. An independent publisher such as Big Impact Books manages the process with you. The trade is control and coordination time against convenience and guidance.
- What is an independent publisher?
- An independent publisher is a publishing company that is not part of one of the large traditional publishing houses. Big Impact Books describes itself as an independent publisher and book marketing service led by Melanie Herschorn. Terms such as rights and royalties differ between independent publishers, so ask any provider to explain theirs in writing.
- What is an ISBN and do I need one?
- An ISBN is a unique number that identifies a specific edition and format of a book, and most retailers and libraries use it to list titles. In the United States, ISBNs are issued by Bowker. Ask any publishing service whether ISBNs are included and in whose name they are registered.
- Should I register the copyright for my book?
- In the United States, copyright exists once a work is fixed in a tangible form, but registering with the U.S. Copyright Office creates a public record and is generally required before you can sue for infringement. Check copyright.gov for current rules, and ask your publisher how registration is handled.
- What affects the cost of a book publishing service?
- The main factors are how much writing help you need, the length and complexity of the book, editing depth, design and production, and whether marketing is included. A service that develops the manuscript and also promotes the book covers more work than one that only uploads a finished file.
- Who should choose a different kind of service?
- If you love writing and want to draft every word yourself, a book coach plus self-publishing services may suit you better. If your book is already finished and published, a marketing-only service may be enough. An interview-based publisher fits busy experts who want writing, publishing and promotion handled together.
Prefer to have the process managed with you?
Ask Big Impact Books how its independent publishing process would work for your book.