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Self-publishing with BookBaby vs. Blurb

Which publisher should you trust when you decide to self-publish – BookBaby or Blurb?

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How to pick the right self-publishing company for your first book

Selecting your self-publishing company is a big decision, especially as a new author. Publishing your book involves many important steps, from layouts and printing to book marketing and sales. We’re often asked which company—BookBaby or Blurb—is the best choice for independent authors. Let’s explore similarities and differences between Blurb book publishing and BookBaby to help you decide.

Your words, your way.

Blurb is a niche self-publisher specializing in full-color photo books. While they focus on premium photo books, their expertise in general book layout and text placement is limited compared to BookBaby. BookBaby does print full-color photo books, trade books, notebooks, and magazines, but we also provide comprehensive services including eBook conversion, interior formatting, and quality book printing. Thousands of BookBaby reviews highlight the satisfaction of authors who’ve successfully published their first books with us.

Comprehensive Publishing Services All in One Place

Blurb offers a free design tool, but they don’t have an in-house design team. With BookBaby, you get access to professional designers, cover artists, and page layout experts. Our team ensures your book quality is professional and polished. When comparing BookBaby vs. Blurb, the all-in-one range of publishing services is a major advantage for authors.

More control, higher payouts for authors

Blurb's partners only pays 45-70% of printed book sales and 40% for eBooks.

BookBaby offers Bookshop, a free online storefront for authors to sell both eBooks and printed books via Print On Demand. You earn up to 85% on eBook sales, and printed books can earn up to 3X more than competing retailers. Authors retain total control over their bookstore, orders, and sales process.

Are you SURE you changed that typo?

Blurb’s partner uses a fully automated system that directly uploads your files to their printing press. Sounds cool, right? But what if there are errors that need to be addressed before going to print? That can lead to printed books with errors, forcing you to pay double what you expected when you have to re-run them.

All BookBaby book designers are experienced in prepress, printing, and book quality. They get it right the first time, personally inspecting each and every one of your files to make sure they meet the technical requirements for premium paper books and error-free book printing. Your book will not only look polished and professional, but it will also be absolutely perfect and free from unexpected errors.

BookBaby authors are eligible for brick-and-mortar retail shelf placement

Here’s a cold, hard publishing fact: Bookstore owners won’t take the risk of stocking self-published books if they go unsold. At BookBaby, we look out for the indie author and their unique needs. That’s why BookBaby offers a Print On Demand returns program to booksellers, making it possible for our authors’ books to find their way into hundreds of retail stores worldwide.

Blurb doesn’t offer this program. Neither does Lulu or CreateSpace for that matter. Plus, when we distribute your book, we allow for it to be sold in the world’s biggest bookstores and on Amazon through our print-on-demand print-on-demand service.

Helpful and friendly customer support

Being an independent author doesn't mean you have to do everything on your own. Some Blurb reviews reflect upon a poor customer support experience. In contrast, BookBaby's customer support team is dedicated to answering your questions and helping you with any challenges along the way. Based right here in the U.S.A., our Self-publishing Specialists 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.

Side-By-Side

Service BookBaby Blurb
Book printing Yes Yes
Printed book formatting Yes No
Printed book cover design Yes No
eBook cover design Yes No
eBook conversion YesIncluding format proofs No
eBook distribution YesIncluding Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, and 50+ other stores around the world No
Audiobook conversion Yes No
Personalized eCommerce selling page Yes Yes
Royalties YesUp to 85% for eBooks sold on Bookshop. Up to 50% for printed books sold on Bookshop. 75% for audiobooks. Yes100% of profits in the Blurb store. Authors are subject to the fees from Amazon and Blurb's partners.
Print On Demand distribution YesBookBaby Bookshop + Amazon Yes
No-cost returns Yes No
In-house book printing Yes No
Free US-based phone support Yes No
Hardcover available for all trim sizes Yes YesOnly in Blurb Bookstore
Gloss paper stock available Yes YesOnly in Blurb Bookstore

Now that you've seen how we stack up, it's time to start your self-publishing journey with us.

Contact a Publishing Specialist
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