- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
BookBaby vs Scribe Media
Table of Contents
In the complex world of self-publishing, choosing the right professional service can significantly impact your success.
BookBaby and Scribe Media stand out in the industry, each offering valuable services tailored to different needs and preferences. This article compares BookBaby and Scribe, guiding you in determining which service best aligns with your goals.
Read on to discover which option is the perfect match for your self-publishing journey.
Key Differences
- Affordability: BookBaby’s packages start at $1,090, with additional costs for editing and marketing. Scribe, on the higher end, offers all-inclusive packages starting at $18,000.
- Support: Both BookBaby and Scribe provide dedicated support. However, Scribe’s higher-priced packages offer more personalized customer support.
- Production Speed: Publishing with BookBaby typically takes around 8 weeks, while Scribe’s timeline ranges from 3 to 9 months.
- Marketing: BookBaby includes marketing in its higher-tier packages, whereas Scribe offers comprehensive marketing in every package.
- Ideal For: BookBaby is suitable for a wide range of authors, while Scribe caters more to professionals with a larger budget, exclusively publishing non-fiction.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | 4.6 on Trustpilot | Highly Rated |
| 💸 Affordability | Packages starting from $1090 | Packages starting from $4000 per month |
| 📚 Service Model | Comprehensive, All-Inclusive Packages | Comprehensive, All-Inclusive Packages |
| ⏳Production Speed | 8 Weeks | 9 Months |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Ads for Authors Program | Comprehensive Services |
| 🌎 POD & Distribution | 60+ Distribution Channels | Extensive Distribution |
| 🧑💻 Support | Publishing Specialists | Dedicated Publishing Managers |
| 👍 Ideal For | Authors Looking for Budget Friendly Packages | Professionals & Authors With a High Budget |
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 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.
BookBaby – Key Features
- Editing Services
- In-House Printing
- Marketing Services
- 100% Royalties
- Design Services
- Dedicated Support
- Distribution to 60+ companies
Does Not Offer
- Audiobook Services
- Copyright Protection
- Editing Not Included in Basic Packages
Overview of Scribe Media
Founded in 2014 by best-selling author Tucker Max, Scribe Media has quickly established itself as a premier professional book publishing service, particularly popular among entrepreneurs, consultants, executives, and other professionals. Scribe Media’s mission is to provide high-quality publishing services that ensure an author’s book achieves maximum reach and impact.
Scribe Media offers a comprehensive range of services, including writing, editing, design, publishing, and marketing. These services are tailored for authors with completed manuscripts who seek to publish their books professionally. Known for its commitment to quality and professionalism, Scribe Media is a preferred option if you have a high budget and are aiming for a polished and impactful book.
However, this level of service comes at a high cost, with packages starting at $18,000. Additionally, Scribe Media’s services are exclusively available for non-fiction books, catering primarily to professionals and thought leaders. The premium pricing of Scribe Media is largely attributed to the detailed attention and personalized support they provide.
Scribe – Key Features
Scribe Media focuses on providing end-to-end publishing services, ensuring every aspect of the publishing process is covered.
- Dedicated Support: Comprehensive support throughout the publishing process, with each package including a publishing manager.
- High Quality: Professional writing, editing, and design services from experienced industry experts.
- Comprehensive Publishing Services: Including ghostwriting, editing, cover design, marketing, and audiobook creation.
- 100% Royalties: Authors retain all royalties from their book sales.
Does Not Offer
- Fiction Publishing: Exclusively publishes non-fiction books.
Comparing Affordability
When choosing a self-publishing platform, understanding the pricing and value offered by each service is crucial. Overall BookBaby stands out as a more affordable option, but let’s find out why.
BookBaby Pricing
Pricing at BookBaby starts at $1,090 for the Express package. It’s important to note that these packages don’t include essential services like editing or cover design. However, they remain a much more affordable option, especially if you don’t require those additional services.
Scribe Media Pricing
Scribe Media, known for its premium pricing, starts at $18,000. Their packages, however, are all-inclusive, covering everything you need to go from manuscript to published book.
While BookBaby’s pricing is significantly more affordable than Scribe’s, the lack of essential services in their entry packages can add to the cost if you need them. For those requiring a complete publishing package, Scribe offers services like cover design, interior layout, proofreading, and distribution to major platforms.
Scribe is more tailored for authors with a higher budget, but for the average author, BookBaby offers much more affordable prices while still providing great publishing services.
Publishing Timelines
BookBaby 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.
Scribe Media typically takes 6 to 9 months to publish a book, reflecting their meticulous and comprehensive approach to ensure high-quality results. This timeline stands out as much longer than that of other self-publishing companies.
Marketing Services
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.
Scribe Media provides robust marketing and promotional support as part of their comprehensive publishing packages. Services include strategic marketing plans, social media promotions, targeted advertising campaigns, and broad distribution to major online and physical bookstores. These high-end services ensure maximum reach and impact but come at a premium price, which might not be feasible for all authors.
POD & Distribution
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. BookBaby provides 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.
Scribe Media offers extensive print-on-demand (POD) and distribution services. They handle both ebook and print book production, ensuring manuscripts are converted into various formats suitable for different platforms. Their distribution network includes major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books, facilitated through partnerships with IngramSpark, ensuring global availability.
Support Services
BookBaby offers dedicated support to authors throughout the publishing process. Each author is assigned a personal production manager who provides tailored guidance from manuscript submission to final publication, ensuring a seamless experience.
Scribe Media offers comprehensive support with dedicated publishing managers guiding authors through the entire process, from manuscript preparation to final publication. This hands-on approach provides personalized assistance from a professional team, including editors, designers, and marketers, justifying its premium pricing.
BookBaby or Scribe? Who Should You Choose?
Choosing between BookBaby and Scribe depends on your publishing needs and budget.
Both services offer comprehensive publishing packages, dedicated support, and allow authors to retain 100% of their royalties. However, Scribe’s services come at a much higher price, making them more suitable for authors with big budgets or those who are already well-known.
For most authors, BookBaby stands out as the better choice. They offer great publishing services at a more reasonable and affordable price while still producing quality books.
When making your choice, consider your specific needs, timelines, budgets, and desired levels of support and marketing. For more detailed information, you can visit their respective websites.
Learn More About BookBaby
If BookBaby feels like the right fit for your publishing needs, check out their website to see all they offer and kickstart your publishing journey today. Find out how BookBaby can help turn your manuscript into a professionally published books