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BookBaby vs. Author Solutions

Compare the differences between the two book self-publishers and decide which is right for you.

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Learn more about the differences between BookBaby and Author Solutions

It’s no secret—a quick Google search for Author Solutions’ customer reviews reveals a few of the lawsuits filed against the company.

Dozens of blog articles have been devoted to disappointed customers complaining about Author Solutions’ marketing and sales tactics.

You may have submitted a complaint yourself, although we certainly hope not. No author deserves to have his or her dreams hindered by a publisher.

The most important element of any relationship is trust. And while these articles illustrate the major differences between BookBaby and Author Solutions, we encourage you to do your own homework and discover the truth yourself.

Service under one name

AuthorHouse. iUniverse. Xlibris. Wordclay. Trafford. Any of these sound familiar?

They’re five of the many “imprints” operated by Author Solutions. At a glance it looks like a variety of publishing brands for authors to choose from. But marketing a platoon of names—all with similar business models and service packages for extremely varied prices—is confusing, especially when you’re trying to decide if that company fits your self-publishing needs. They even run a website called “findyourpublisher.com” that makes authors think they are able to compare and contrast competing services.

BookBaby is, simply, BookBaby. We do our best to support, inform, and encourage our independent authors to achieve their self-publishing goals—from getting your manuscript to print, to making your book available to readers around the world.

Over-promising and under-delivering

From Xlibris to iUniverse, all of the Author Solutions’ brands sell marketing packages that appeal to the lavish dreams of fame and fortune—but seldom deliver. Take for instance the “Hollywood Treatment”, a $3,749 service where they promise to pitch books to movie producers. In its own recent published results, Author Solutions admitted that out of 300 authors who bought this service, only two were ever seriously considered for a movie.

The “possibility of being picked up for acquisition” isn’t going to put money in your pocket. Neither is missing royalties from well-earned book sales. BookBaby ONLY sells products and services that it can back up with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

We’ve negotiated the best eBook royalty rates—up to 85%— for authors selling through websites like Amazon, where the bulk of self-published author income comes from. When you sell your printed books with Print On Demand on Bookshop™, you earn 50% of your selling price. But most importantly, you’re paid what you earned, on time, every time.

Here’s how BookBaby stacks up against Author Solutions:

Service BookBaby Author Solutions
Printed books 25 printed books 15 printed books
Printed Book Formatting Yes Yes
Printed Book Cover Design Yes Yes
eBook Conversion Yes With format proofs Yes Without proofs
eBook Cover Design Yes Yes
Print On Demand Yes Including Amazon, B&N, Powell’s, and 50+ more stores, domestically and globally. Yes To a limited distribution network
eBook distribution Yes Including Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, and 50+ other stores around the world. Yes To a limited distribution network
Author's own eCommerce Selling Page Yes No
Royalty Rates Up to 85% for eBooks sold on Bookshop
Up to 50% on Printed books sold on Bookshop
Unknown – not listed on website.
Price $1,790 $2,999
Source Complete Self Publishing Package, January 2019 Bookstore Premier Package, https://www.iuniverse.com/Packages/StandardCompare.aspx, June 2017

So what are authors saying about BookBaby?

We’re proud of how many satisfied authors we’ve partnered with since we first started. All of the kind words and feedback motivate us to improve your self-publishing experience. Take a look for yourself.

Smart and friendly customer support

Being an independent author doesn’t mean doing everything on your own. One of our greatest assets is our customer support team, and they’re dedicated to answering your questions and helping you rise above any hurdles along your journey. Our self-publishing specialists are based right here in the USA and are standing by to answer any and all of your questions by phone (1-877-961-6878), emails, and live chats, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Independent publishing experts

We understand the needs of self-publishing authors and the challenges you face, and we’ve set up special services to help you be successful. After all, we’re the sister company of CD Baby, the music company that’s helped hundreds of thousands of indie musicians sell their music on iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, and beyond.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

If you're not thrilled with our work—whether it's eBook conversion, cover design, or print quality—we'll work with you until you are. That's our publishing promise to you.

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