- Paige Ross
- 0 min read
Merriam-Webster vs. Reedsy
Table of Contents
Choosing the right publishing partner is a critical step in an author’s journey, and with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which route to take. This article compares two well-known names in the publishing world: Merriam-Webster, a prestigious traditional publisher known for its educational and language-focused books, and Reedsy, a self-publishing platform that connects authors with professional freelancers.
Whether you’re an expert looking for credibility and wide distribution or a self-published author seeking control and flexibility, understanding the differences between these two options is essential. We’ll delve into their services, pricing, royalties, timelines, marketing support, and customer reviews to help you make an informed decision. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which publisher aligns best with your goals and vision.
Quick Comparison
- Publishing Model: Merriam-Webster operates as a traditional publisher, handling all aspects of production and distribution for selected manuscripts, while Reedsy is a self-publishing marketplace where authors hire freelancers for individual services.
- Costs and Royalties: Merriam-Webster covers all publishing costs and pays authors royalties, whereas Reedsy requires authors to pay upfront for freelancer services but allows them to retain 100% of their royalties.
- Submission Process: Merriam-Webster is highly selective, only accepting manuscripts by invitation or through agents, while Reedsy is open to all authors, providing flexibility and control over the publishing process.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | Renowned for quality and credibility; no public Trustpilot rating | 4.6-star rating (Trustpilot) |
| 💸 Affordability | No upfront costs | Upfront payment required for freelancers |
| 💰Royalties | Revenue share based on contract terms | Authors keep 100% of royalties |
| ⏳Production Speed | 6–12 months, depending on project complexity | Flexible, depending on project and freelancers |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Minimal support; authors manage most promotion | Available via freelancers with an additional cost |
| 🌎 Distribution | Extensive: bookstores, libraries, academic institutions, online | No direct distribution; offers POD and distribution via Blurb |
| 🧑💻 Support | Provides editorial guidance | Limited; authors manage communication with freelancers |
| 📚Formats | Print and Digital | Print, eBook, and more via freelance professionals |
| 💎 Transparency | Clear process, as long as manuscript is selected | High; authors control services and pricing with upfront quotes |
Overview of Merriam-Webster
Merriam-Webster, founded in 1831, is a trusted name in the publishing industry, renowned for its authoritative dictionaries and language resources. Beyond its iconic reference works, the company also specializes in publishing educational books, grammar guides, and vocabulary-building tools. Merriam-Webster’s publications are widely recognized for their rigor, precision, and reliability, catering primarily to educators, students, language enthusiasts, and experts in linguistics and communication.
As a traditional publisher, Merriam-Webster excels at producing high-quality, well-researched content. Their extensive distribution network ensures their publications are accessible in academic institutions, libraries, brick-and-mortar bookstores, and major online retailers, granting authors substantial visibility and credibility. This makes them an excellent choice for experts in educational and language-related fields seeking a reputable platform to share their work.
However, Merriam-Webster’s focus is relatively narrow, catering only to non-fiction and language-specific genres. They do not accept open submissions, working instead by invitation or through agents, which can limit opportunities for new or self-published authors. Additionally, while they handle all production costs, their marketing support is minimal, requiring authors to take on much of the promotional work themselves.
Overall, Merriam-Webster is ideal for specialized authors aiming for prestige and wide distribution in the academic and educational sectors.
Key Features
Merriam-Webster is a traditional publisher known for its expertise in language, education, and reference works. Their services and features are tailored to authors who prioritize academic rigor, credibility, and extensive distribution.
Key Features of Merriam-Webster Include:
- Authoritative Publications
- Specialized Focus
- Comprehensive Editorial Process
- Wide Distribution Network
- Cost-Free Publishing
- Prestigious Branding
- Selective Submissions
- Limited Marketing Support
- Print and Digital Formats
Does Not Offer:
- Open Submissions
- Marketing Services
- Fiction Publishing
- Author Control
Overview of Reedsy
Reedsy, established in 2014, is a unique self-publishing platform that connects authors with a marketplace of vetted freelance professionals. Known for its flexibility and comprehensive range of services, Reedsy caters to authors seeking creative control over their projects while accessing top-tier expertise in the publishing industry. The platform enables authors to collaborate with professionals specializing in editing, design, marketing, ghostwriting, and more, allowing them to customize their publishing process to meet their specific needs.
Reedsy excels in its ability to offer high-quality, vetted professionals, ensuring that authors work with industry experts who have proven track records. This makes it an ideal platform for experienced authors looking to refine and professionally publish their work. Additionally, Reedsy’s free tools, such as the Reedsy Book Editor and educational content, further enhance the platform’s appeal to writers at all stages of their publishing journey.
However, Reedsy is not a comprehensive publishing solution. Authors must manage key aspects of the process independently, such as distribution, as the platform does not offer direct publishing or sales support. While the flexibility is appealing, the costs of hiring individual freelancers can add up quickly, making it less accessible for authors on tight budgets or those new to self-publishing.
Key Features
Reedsy is a self-publishing platform designed to empower authors by connecting them with professional freelancers and providing a suite of free tools to streamline the publishing process. With a focus on flexibility and quality, Reedsy offers services that cater to authors across all genres and stages of their publishing journey.
Key Features of Reedsy Include:
- Marketplace of Freelance Professionals
- Reedsy Book Editor
- Customizable Publishing Process
- Reedsy Discovery
- Educational Resources
- Creative Tools
- Full Creative Control
- Global Distribution Options
- Flexible Pricing
- Diverse Format Support
Does Not Offer:
- All-in-One Publishing Solution
- Guaranteed Quality or Deadlines
- Traditional Publishing Benefits
- Centralized Support
Affordability
Merriam-Webster and Reedsy have fundamentally different pricing structures that reflect their distinct publishing models. Merriam-Webster follows a traditional publishing approach, meaning authors do not pay upfront costs for services like editing, design, and production. Instead, the publisher covers all these expenses and takes a share of the royalties from book sales. This structure is advantageous for authors who prefer not to invest money upfront but it requires acceptance through their highly selective submission process.
On the other hand, Reedsy operates on a pay-as-you-go model. Access to the platform is free, but authors hire freelance professionals for individual services like editing, cover design, and marketing. These freelancers set their rates, and authors also pay platform fees (up to 10% of the project cost) and payment processing fees. While this model allows authors to control their budget and retain 100% of their royalties, the costs can quickly add up, especially for those requiring multiple services.
In terms of affordability, Merriam-Webster is more cost-effective for authors who secure a publishing deal, as there are no upfront costs. Reedsy, however, offers flexibility and access to high-quality professionals but requires significant financial investment upfront, making it better suited for authors with clear budgets and plans for self-publishing.
Publishing Timelines
The publishing timelines of Merriam-Webster and Reedsy vary significantly, reflecting their distinct approaches to the publishing process.
Merriam-Webster, as a traditional publisher, typically requires 6–12 months to publish a book after accepting a manuscript. This longer timeline is due to their rigorous editorial standards, comprehensive review processes, and meticulous production schedules. While this ensures high-quality output, it may feel slow for authors eager to see their work in print.
Reedsy, in contrast, offers a much more flexible timeline. Since authors manage their own projects and hire freelancers for individual tasks, the speed of the publishing process largely depends on how quickly freelancers complete their work. For authors who coordinate effectively and work with responsive professionals, the timeline can be significantly shorter than Merriam-Webster’s. However, delays can occur if freelancers take longer than expected or if multiple rounds of revisions are required.
In summary, Merriam-Webster’s timeline is well-suited for authors who prioritize quality and are willing to wait, while Reedsy appeals to those who want faster results and are comfortable managing deadlines directly with their collaborators. Authors seeking more control over timing may find Reedsy a better fit, though it requires proactive project management.
Royalties
Merriam-Webster and Reedsy differ significantly in their royalty structures, reflecting their traditional and self-publishing approaches, respectively.
Merriam-Webster, as a traditional publisher, offers a royalty-based payment model. Authors receive a percentage of book sales, with the exact royalty rate determined by the publishing contract. While the publisher handles all upfront costs (e.g., editing, production, and distribution), the royalty percentage is often lower than in self-publishing models since Merriam-Webster retains a share to cover these expenses and generate profit. Payments are typically made quarterly or biannually, depending on the contract terms, and authors can expect a streamlined process managed entirely by the publisher.
Reedsy, on the other hand, allows authors to retain 100% of their royalties because they fully own their books and self-publish through platforms like Amazon or IngramSpark. This model provides greater earning potential per sale but requires authors to pay upfront for professional services like editing and design. Authors are responsible for setting up distribution and managing sales, meaning royalty payouts depend on the policies of the chosen self-publishing platform (e.g., monthly payouts from Amazon KDP).
In summary, Merriam-Webster offers convenience with managed royalties but takes a share, while Reedsy enables authors to maximize earnings but requires more hands-on effort and upfront investment. Authors seeking ease of payment may prefer Merriam-Webster, while those prioritizing higher royalties and ownership will find Reedsy more appealing.
Marketing Services
Marketing is a critical component of an author’s success, yet it’s also one of the most challenging aspects of the publishing process. Merriam-Webster and Reedsy take different approaches to marketing services, each with its own benefits and limitations.
Merriam-Webster offers minimal marketing support, focusing more on production and distribution. As a traditional publisher, they rely on their established reputation and distribution network to promote books, ensuring placement in academic institutions, libraries, and major online retailers. However, the burden of active marketing—such as book tours, social media promotion, and reader engagement—largely falls on the author. Merriam-Webster does not include comprehensive marketing services in its publishing process, leaving authors to manage or outsource promotional efforts independently.
Reedsy, by contrast, connects authors with freelance marketing professionals through its marketplace. These freelancers offer a range of services, including publicity, social media strategy, advertising campaigns, and email marketing. While Reedsy provides a more hands-on approach to marketing, these services come at an additional cost and are not bundled with any publishing packages. Authors must budget for these services separately, which can add to the overall cost of self-publishing.
In summary, Merriam-Webster relies on its brand and distribution for passive promotion but offers limited active marketing support, while Reedsy enables authors to access tailored marketing services at a premium cost. For authors struggling with marketing, Reedsy offers more solutions, but they require investment and independent management.
Print-On-Demand (POD) & Distribution
The Print-on-Demand (POD) and distribution options offered by Merriam-Webster and Reedsy reflect their distinct publishing models and target audiences.
Merriam-Webster boasts a robust and comprehensive distribution network. As a traditional publisher, they ensure that their books are available in major brick-and-mortar bookstores, academic institutions, libraries, and online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This distribution service is included in the traditional publishing package, meaning authors incur no additional costs for making their books widely available. However, Merriam-Webster does not provide POD services, as they primarily focus on large-scale production and distribution for selected titles. Their strength lies in their ability to get books into prestigious channels rather than catering to flexible, smaller-scale publishing needs.
Reedsy, by contrast, does not directly offer distribution services but has partnered with Blurb, a print-on-demand and distribution platform. Through this partnership, authors can print physical copies of their books on demand and distribute them globally. Reedsy’s approach offers authors flexibility and control, as they can independently manage POD and distribution via Blurb or other platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. These services are not included in Reedsy’s platform fees, requiring authors to cover additional costs for POD and distribution separately.
In summary, Merriam-Webster excels in traditional distribution, leveraging its brand to reach academic and mainstream markets, while Reedsy empowers authors with flexible POD options, making it ideal for self-published authors looking for scalable, on-demand solutions. Authors prioritizing widespread distribution may lean toward Merriam-Webster, while those seeking flexibility and control over smaller print runs may find Reedsy a better fit.
Support Services
Support services play a crucial role in guiding authors through the publishing process, and Merriam-Webster and Reedsy approach this aspect differently based on their respective models.
Merriam-Webster, as a traditional publisher, provides a structured and guided publishing process. Authors working with Merriam-Webster typically collaborate with experienced editors, designers, and production teams who oversee every step, ensuring high-quality output. While authors benefit from this expert guidance, they may have less control over certain decisions, as the publisher manages the process according to its established standards. Authors do not have a dedicated publishing production manager but work closely with the editorial and production teams. However, once the book is published, support diminishes, leaving authors to handle marketing and reader engagement on their own.
Reedsy, by contrast, offers a decentralized approach. Authors are responsible for managing their projects and directly coordinating with freelance professionals hired through the platform. While Reedsy provides tools like automated contracts, payment processing, and project management features, the level of support largely depends on the freelancers an author chooses to work with. Reedsy does not provide centralized or ongoing support, which can be challenging for first-time authors unfamiliar with the publishing process.
In summary, Merriam-Webster provides structured, expert-led support during the publishing phase, while Reedsy offers flexibility and control but requires authors to manage their own projects and collaborators. Authors seeking a hands-on guide may prefer Merriam-Webster, whereas those confident in self-management may thrive with Reedsy’s approach.
Customer Experiences & Reviews
Merriam-Webster and Reedsy offer distinct experiences for authors, reflected in their customer reviews and ratings.
Merriam-Webster is renowned for its authoritative dictionaries and language resources. However, specific customer reviews and ratings for their publishing services are not readily available on platforms like Trustpilot or Google Reviews. This lack of direct feedback makes it challenging to assess author satisfaction with their publishing process.
Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors with freelance publishing professionals, holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Authors commend Reedsy for providing access to high-quality, vetted professionals and appreciate the flexibility of its marketplace model. The platform’s user-friendly interface and educational resources further enhance the self-publishing experience. However, some users note that the costs associated with hiring freelancers can be high, and the decentralized support may pose challenges for first-time authors.
In summary, while Merriam-Webster’s publishing services lack publicly available customer reviews, Reedsy is well-regarded for its quality and reliability, as evidenced by its positive Trustpilot rating. Authors seeking a collaborative self-publishing platform may find Reedsy’s strong customer feedback encouraging.
Merriam-Webster vs. Reedsy
Choosing between Merriam-Webster and Reedsy depends on your publishing goals, experience, and priorities.
Merriam-Webster’s selective submission process may be a barrier for new authors without established credentials or literary agents. They are ideal for experts in education, linguistics, or language studies looking for credibility, prestige, and wide distribution without upfront costs. Merriam-Webster provides minimal marketing support, leaving most promotional efforts to the author. They cover all production costs, making it more affordable upfront and have a powerful distribution network for physical and digital books.
Reedsy is a better fit for first-time authors who want creative control and access to vetted professionals, though it requires a hands-on approach and upfront investment. Reedsy offers more robust marketing options through its freelancer marketplace, enabling authors to customize promotional strategies (at an additional cost). They allow flexibility but can become expensive due to freelance fees. Reedsy offers print-on-demand options through Blurb and helps authors manage their own distribution.
In summary, choose Merriam-Webster for prestige and expert guidance, and Reedsy for flexibility and control.
Want to learn more about Merriam-Webster and Reedsy? Check out their deep-dive reviews here on Top10. For further details, visit their respective websites.