- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
Spines vs BookBaby
Table of Contents
Self-publishing has revolutionized the literary world, allowing authors to independently publish their work without relying on traditional publishing houses.
In this article, we will compare two prominent self-publishing services: Spines and BookBaby. Spines, known for its AI-enhanced platform and affordable pricing, and BookBaby, recognized for its comprehensive service packages and extensive distribution channels.
Our goal is to provide a detailed comparison of Spines and BookBaby to help you decide which platform best suits your publishing needs and budget. Let’s delve into the details and see how Spines and BookBaby stack up against each other.
Key Differences
- Affordability: BookBaby’s packages start at $1,090, while Spines packages start at $99/month, and include more essential services.
- Production Speed: Both BookBay and Spines offer fast production timelines for the publishing industry. Spines 30 days or less and BookBaby’s production timeline is around 8 weeks.
- Technology: Spines leverages advanced technology for formatting and production, offering a modern and efficient publishing process.
- Included Services: Spines’ base packages include essential services like editing, copyright protection, and cover design, whereas BookBaby offers many of these services at an additional cost.
- Formats: Both Spines and BookBaby support multiple formats, with Spines also providing audiobook options.
- Transparency: Spines offers an easy-to-use dashboard to follow every step of the process, while BookBaby’s process may not be as transparent.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | 4.6 stars | 4.5 stars |
| 💸 Affordability | Packages starting from $125/month | Packages starting from $1,090 |
| 💰Royalties | 100% | 100% |
| ⏳Production Speed | Less than 30 days | 8 weeks |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Comprehensive Services | Ads for Authors Program |
| 🌎 Distribution | Global distribution on countless channels | 60+ channels |
| 🧑💻 Support | Personal Production Manager | Publishing Specialists |
| 📚Formats | All formats generated by high-quality AI | All formats including audiobooks |
| 💎 Transparency | Innovative platform (easy to follow, all accessible) | Lacks transparency |
Overview of Spines
Founded in 2022, Spines aims to revolutionize the self-publishing industry with its AI-powered platform, providing authors with a seamless publishing experience. By blending advanced technology with human expertise, Spines offers an efficient solution to combat traditional publishing challenges.
Spines offers a comprehensive range of services, including manuscript preparation, editing, book design, formatting, distribution, and marketing. The innovative platform also provides full transparency, allowing authors to track their progress and make informed decisions throughout the publishing journey and providing all necessary services on a single, user-friendly platform.
Pricing for Spines starts at $125 per month, offering an affordable entry point for authors. This subscription includes access to all necessary publishing tools and services, making it a cost-effective solution for those looking to self-publish their books.
Despite entering the market not too long ago, Spines has quickly distinguished itself with a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, demonstrating that authors appreciate its modern solution to the outdated publishing world. Publishing an average of 5 books per day, Spines has become one of the leading publishers in the industry.
Spines – Key Features
One of the main differences is that Spines is a publishing platform, with a transparent and user-friendly dashboard that allows authors to easily track and manage their book’s production. With tailored plans that include essential services like editing, copyright protection, and ISBN assignment, Spines makes self-publishing more accessible and affordable for authors.
- User-Friendly Dashboard
- Advanced AI Technology
- Proofreading & Editing
- 100% Royalties
- Cover Design
- Global Distribution
- Marketing
- All Formats Generated (POD, eBooks, Audiobooks)
- Copyright Protection
- Dedicated Support
Does Not Offer
- Currently only supports publishing in English.
- The platform is not yet fully intuitive
Overview of BookBaby
Founded in 2011, BookBaby has established itself as a leading self-publishing platform, dedicated to providing authors with the tools and support needed to publish and distribute their work independently. The mission of BookBaby is to empower writers by offering comprehensive, high-quality publishing services.
BookBaby offers various services, including manuscript preparation, professional editing, book design, formatting, in-house printing, and distribution and marketing options. They are designed to be a one-stop for authors, ensuring that every step of the publishing process is covered.
BookBaby is positioned on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, with costs starting at $1,090 for the basic Express package. While BookBaby is renowned for its extensive support, many authors find it expensive, particularly as additional services such as editing come at an extra cost.
BookBaby has garnered a high Trustpilot rating of 4.5 stars, reflecting the positive experiences and satisfaction of numerous authors who have used their self-publishing services.
BookBaby – Key Features
BookBaby focuses on providing a full suite of professional publishing services as well as in-house printing, and distribution. Marketing services are available in higher-tier packages, alongside metadata optimization.
- Editing Services
- In-House Printing
- Marketing Services
- 100% Royalties
- Design Services
- Dedicated Support
- Distribution to 60+ companies
Does Not Offer
- Copyright Protection
- Editing Not Included in Basic Packages
Comparing Pricing & Affordability
When choosing a self-publishing platform, understanding the pricing and value offered by each service is crucial. Overall Spines stands out as a more affordable option, but let’s find out why.
Spines Pricing
Pricing at Spines starts at $125/month or a $1,500 once-off payment.
BookBaby Pricing
Pricing at BookBaby starts at $1,090 for the Express package.
Evaluating Packages
When comparing the pricing options of Spines and BookBaby, it’s clear that each platform offers comprehensive packages tailored to different author needs, but the cost-effectiveness of Spines stands out.
Spines’ Essential Production plan, at $125/month for 12 months or a one-time payment of $1,500, includes crucial services such as copyright protection, a cover design tool, proofreading tools, formatting, print-on-demand services, a dedicated production manager, and an ISBN. This plan is suitable for books up to 50,000 words, making it an affordable entry point for emerging authors. Spines offers affordable pricing by integrating advanced technology that streamlines the production process, making it faster and simpler, including tasks like editing and formatting.
On the other hand, BookBaby starts at $1,090 for their Express Package, which includes 25 softcover books, eBook conversion and distribution, print-on-demand services, and two ISBN barcodes.
However, it lacks essential services like book cover design, interior formatting, and editing, which come at additional costs. The Complete and Deluxe packages, priced at $2,190 and $2,890 respectively, add some of these features but still exclude editing and proofreading, potentially escalating the overall cost by around $900-$3000 for an average length book.
Additionally, with Spines, authors receive a free copyright protection certificate upon uploading their manuscript. Whereas with BookBaby, you are responsible for handling the legal complexities independently.
While BookBaby provides extensive support and a broad distribution network, Spines offers a more affordable and inclusive solution. The monthly subscription model of Spines allows for greater financial flexibility, making it a better option for authors looking for comprehensive services without the hefty upfront costs.
Royalties
Both Spines and BookBaby offer 100% royalties.
Spines
Authors receive 100% of the net sales royalties from their book sales through Spines. No specific fees, but royalties are calculated after applicable taxes.
- Easily track your royalties on an intuitive dashboard that also provides insights into your book’s performance and sales sources.
- Authors start earning royalties once their total sales exceed $25.
- Flexible payouts – weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
- Spines makes it easy to withdraw all royalties directly to the author’s bank account or PayPal account.
BookBaby
Authors retain 100% of the net earnings from their book sales, minus any applicable distribution fees.
- Flexible payouts – allow authors to withdraw their royalties at any time.
- No minimum threshold.
- BookBaby takes a small distribution fee if the book sells on their website.
Keep in mind that channels like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others charge fees regardless of your publishing platform.
Publishing Timeline
Both Spines and BookBaby offer significantly faster production timelines compared to the rest of the publishing industry, which can take anywhere from six months to a year. Spines leverages advanced AI technology and dedicated production managers to streamline every step of the process, from manuscript preparation to final publication, typically completing the process in less than 30 days. This efficiency provides a modern solution to the traditionally lengthy publishing timeline.
BookBaby, while not as fast as Spines, still offers a much shorter timeline than traditional publishing. They typically take around 8 weeks from manuscript submission to final distribution. This timeline can vary based on the complexity of the project and the specific services selected, and customer reviews suggest that it can sometimes take longer.
Overall, Spines offers more flexibility and real-time tracking, which can be particularly beneficial for authors seeking a transparent and efficient publishing process.
Marketing Services
Spines offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit, including book marketing courses, and a personal author platform that is designed to generate sales and boost your book’s engagement. Authors can customize their marketing investments to suit their budgets and track sales performance through the user-friendly dashboard, ensuring effective promotion and engagement with readers. Authors also can create ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Google Ads with the click of a button.
BookBaby offers targeted marketing services through its “Ads for Authors Program,” which creates and manages ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Marketing is available in higher-tier packages. BookBaby’s comprehensive approach helps authors reach a wide audience, though the costs can quickly add up.
Print-On-Demand
Spines also offers convenient Print-on-Demand services, allowing you to order directly through your account. You can select the number of copies you want, and they will be delivered straight to your doorstep, making the process seamless and efficient.
With BookBaby, each self-publishing package includes 25 softcover books and offers comprehensive Print-on-Demand services. They pride themselves on a quick production timeline, but ordering a large quantity of books can become costly.
Distribution
Both Spines and BookBaby provide extensive distribution channels, partnering with major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to ensure your book reaches a global audience. With these comprehensive distribution networks, your book can be available in both digital and print formats, catering to a wide range of readers worldwide.
Support
Spines and BookBaby both offer dedicated support to authors throughout the publishing process. Spines assigns each author a personal production manager who provides tailored guidance from manuscript submission to final publication, ensuring a seamless experience.
Similarly, BookBaby offers publishing specialists to assist authors, but the level of personalized support can vary. While both services provide valuable guidance, Spines may offer a more consistently bespoke experience tailored to each author’s unique needs.
Customer Reviews
Both Spines and BookBaby have received high ratings on Trustpilot, with BookBaby at 4.5 and Spines at 4.6, demonstrating a high level of customer satisfaction.
At Spines authors appreciate the transparent, user-friendly dashboard and affordable pricing. Spines is favored for its swift, streamlined approach, making it ideal for both new and experienced authors.
Authors value BookBaby’s comprehensive services and easy navigation from manuscript submission to distribution.
Choosing Between Spines or BookBaby: Which is Right for You?
Both Spines and BookBaby provide comprehensive self-publishing services for first-time authors, offering various publishing packages, dedicated support, and allowing authors to retain 100% of their royalties. However, several factors make Spines a more appealing option.
At Spines they offer a transparent, user-friendly platform where you can effortlessly monitor your book’s progress, track royalties, and oversee your book’s marketing journey.
Spines’ packages start at $125 per month, and include all the essential publishing services, making it a more cost-effective choice. BookBaby, on the other hand, can become quite expensive, especially when additional costs for essential services like editing are considered. For instance, basic editing for an average 300-page book can cost around $900, with proofreading costs reaching up to $3000.
Spines provides a comprehensive marketing toolkit, including an author platform, designed to boost sales and engagement. Authors can easily create ads on major platforms and track performance through a user-friendly dashboard. Conversely, BookBaby provides a more limited solution with targeted marketing through its ‘Ads for Authors Program,’ available only in higher-tier packages.
Spines outshines BookBaby by offering audiobook services and a free copyright protection upon uploading your manuscript.
For these reasons, Spines excels over BookBaby as a more appealing option.
When making your choice, consider your specific needs, timelines, budgets, and desired support and marketing levels. For more detailed information, you can visit their respective websites.
Schedule a Free 15 Minute Call With Spines
If Spines seems like a good fit for your needs, schedule a free 15-minute call with their publishing experts to get more details on how to effectively publish your book. Visit their website to discover their innovative publishing platform.