Jane Murphy
December 18, 2024
0 min read

Merriam-Webster vs. Spines

Choosing the right publishing partner is a critical decision for authors, as it determines not only the quality of their book but also its reach and success in the market. In this article, we compare two very different but highly impactful publishing options: Merriam-Webster, a renowned traditional publisher known for its expertise in educational and language-related works, and Spines, a modern self-publishing platform that leverages AI technology to streamline the publishing process.

Merriam-Webster’s long-standing reputation in producing high-quality, niche publications makes it a trusted choice for authors in linguistics and education. On the other hand, Spines empowers authors with a flexible, accessible platform offering full creative control and quick turnarounds.

By comparing their services, pricing, royalties, timelines, distribution, and customer reviews, this article will help you determine which publishing route aligns best with your goals as an author.

Key Differences Between Merriam-Webster and Spines

Publishing Model and Audience
Merriam-Webster operates as a traditional publisher, specializing in non-fiction, educational, and language-focused books. Their highly selective process typically caters to established experts in these fields, offering prestige and rigorous editorial standards. In contrast, Spines is a self-publishing platform, open to authors from all genres, allowing greater accessibility and flexibility for both new and experienced writers.
Cost and Royalties
With Merriam-Webster, authors do not incur upfront costs, as the publisher handles all production expenses in exchange for a share of royalties. Spines, on the other hand, follows a subscription-based pricing model, with packages starting at $152 per month, and allows authors to retain 100% of their royalties, providing more financial control over their work.
Publishing Timeline
Merriam-Webster’s publishing timeline spans 6–12 months, reflecting their meticulous editorial process and focus on quality. Spines significantly shorten this timeframe, using AI-driven technology to publish books in 30 days or less, catering to authors seeking a faster route to market.

Overview of Merriam-Webster

Merriam-Webster is one of the most trusted names in publishing, renowned for its authoritative dictionaries, thesauruses, and language resources. Founded in 1831, the company has a long-standing reputation for excellence in educational and reference materials, catering to students, educators, linguists, and lifelong learners. While best known for its comprehensive language guides, Merriam-Webster also publishes a range of specialized books, including vocabulary builders, grammar handbooks, and etymology works.

What sets Merriam-Webster apart is its commitment to quality. They maintain rigorous editorial standards, ensuring that every publication is accurate, authoritative, and aligned with their focus on language and education. With an extensive distribution network spanning online retailers, academic bookstores, and libraries, Merriam-Webster provides a broad reach for their publications, making them a top choice for authors in niche educational fields.

However, Merriam-Webster’s offerings are not without limitations. Their focus on non-fiction and language-related genres excludes fiction or creative works. Additionally, their selective submission process is tailored to established authors and experts, often requiring agent representation or invitations. Marketing support is also minimal, leaving authors responsible for promoting their work. Despite these constraints, Merriam-Webster remains an excellent choice for those seeking to publish high-quality, niche educational content.

Top rated publishers:

9.5

7.0

Key Features of Merriam-Webster

Renowned Brand: A trusted authority in language and education, lending credibility to published works.
Specialized Focus: Publishes non-fiction, educational, and language-related books, including dictionaries, grammar guides, and etymology resources.
Rigorous Editorial Standards: Ensures accuracy and quality through a meticulous editorial process.
Extensive Distribution Network: Broad reach via online retailers, academic bookstores, libraries, and specialty shops.
No Upfront Costs: Operates on a traditional publishing model where authors share royalties instead of paying fees.
Selective Submission Process: Primarily works with established experts and requires agent representation or direct invitations.
Minimal Marketing Support: Authors are expected to manage most of the marketing efforts for their books.
Long Publishing Timeline: Books typically take 6–12 months to go from submission to publication.
Print Formats Only: Focuses on physical formats (softcover and hardcover), with limited offerings in digital or audiobook formats.

What Merriam-Webster Does Not Offer

Open Submissions: Does not accept unsolicited manuscripts; authors must have agent representation or an invitation.
Broad Genre Support: Focuses solely on non-fiction, educational, and language-related works, excluding fiction and creative genres.
Comprehensive Marketing Services: Provides minimal support, requiring authors to handle most marketing efforts independently.
Self-Publishing Options: Lacks flexibility for authors who want full creative control or prefer a self-publishing model.
Audiobook Creation: Does not offer services for audiobook production.
Short Publishing Timelines: The process typically spans 6–12 months, making it slower compared to modern publishing platforms.
Real-Time Transparency: No dashboard or system to allow authors to track royalties or monitor their book’s progress in real time.
Affordable Options for Emerging Authors: Only caters to established experts, limiting opportunities for new or self-published writers.

Overview of Spines

Spines is a cutting-edge self-publishing platform designed to revolutionize the publishing experience for authors. Combining advanced AI technology with personalized human support, Spines offers an all-in-one solution that simplifies every step of the publishing process. From proofreading and formatting to cover design and global distribution, Spines provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the needs of modern authors.

What makes Spines stand out is its accessibility and efficiency. The platform caters to writers of all levels, offering flexible pricing plans that start at $152 per month. With its fast production timeline, authors can see their books published in as little as 30 days, all while retaining 100% of their royalties. Spines also excels in providing transparency through its user-friendly dashboard, allowing authors to track their book’s progress, royalties, and sales performance in real-time.

Despite its strengths, Spines has some limitations. As a newer entrant to the publishing industry, it is still establishing its reputation. While its AI-powered tools are innovative, some users may find the platform’s interface less intuitive. However, with extensive customer support and production managers assigned to each project, Spines ensures a smooth and guided experience for its authors.

Key Features of Spines

Comprehensive Self-Publishing Services: Includes proofreading, formatting, cover design, audiobook creation, and global distribution.
AI-Enhanced Tools: Combines advanced technology with human oversight for efficient and high-quality publishing.
Fast Publishing Timeline: Books can be published in as little as 30 days.
Flexible Pricing Plans: Tiered packages starting at $152/month or one-time payments, catering to various author budgets.
100% Royalties: Authors retain all royalties, with transparent tracking available via a user-friendly dashboard.
Global Distribution Network: Reaches major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with print-on-demand services available.
Marketing Support: Offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit, including ad integration and customizable budgets.
Real-Time Transparency: Dashboard for tracking royalties, sales performance, and production progress.
Extensive Customer Support: Includes dedicated production managers to guide authors through the process.
Multiple Formats: Supports eBooks, print (softcover and hardcover), and audiobooks.

What Spines Does Not Offer

Traditional Publishing Model: Does not operate on a traditional publishing model, which some authors seeking prestige might prefer.
Agent-Based Submissions: Open to all authors but lacks the exclusivity of agent or invitation-only submissions.
Reputation of Established Publishers: As a newer platform, Spines is still building its long-term reputation in the publishing industry.
Full Intuitive Usability: The platform interface may not be intuitive for all users, though Spines offers personalized support to bridge this gap.
Genre-Specific Expertise: Offers generalized self-publishing services but lacks specialized editorial expertise in specific genres compared to traditional publishers.

Comparing Affordability and Costs

When it comes to affordability, Merriam-Webster and Spines differ significantly in their approach. Merriam-Webster operates on a traditional publishing model, meaning there are no upfront costs for authors. The publisher covers all expenses, including editing, production, and distribution, in exchange for a share of the royalties. This makes Merriam-Webster an attractive option for authors who want to avoid direct financial investment, though its selective nature may limit accessibility.

On the other hand, Spines follows a subscription-based pricing model, offering tiered packages starting at $152 per month or a one-time payment of $1,478 for its Essential plan. While authors pay for these services upfront, they benefit from comprehensive support, creative control, and the ability to retain 100% of their royalties, making Spines highly cost-effective in the long run.

In terms of affordability, Spines stands out for authors seeking a clear, upfront pricing structure with full ownership of their work, while Merriam-Webster appeals to those looking for traditional publishing without upfront costs but with shared royalties. The choice ultimately depends on the author’s financial situation and publishing goals.

Publishing Timelines

The publishing timelines for Merriam-Webster and Spines differ significantly, reflecting their contrasting publishing models.

Merriam-Webster follows a traditional process, with timelines ranging from 6 to 12 months. This longer duration is due to their rigorous editorial and production standards, ensuring the final product meets their high-quality benchmarks. While this timeline suits authors prioritizing precision and credibility, it may not appeal to those seeking quicker publication.

Spines, by contrast, offers a streamlined process powered by AI technology, enabling books to be published in 30 days or less. This fast timeline is ideal for authors looking to get their work to market quickly, without compromising on essential services like editing, formatting, and cover design.

For authors with tight schedules or a need for speed, Spines offers a clear advantage. However, those who value meticulous refinement and are willing to wait may prefer Merriam-Webster’s approach. The choice depends on the author’s priorities and publishing goals.

Royalties

The royalty structures of Merriam-Webster and Spines are vastly different, reflecting their distinct publishing models.

Merriam-Webster operates on a shared royalty model, where the publisher takes a percentage of book sales to cover production and distribution costs. The specific percentage is determined by the publishing contract, and authors typically receive payouts at industry-standard intervals (e.g., quarterly or biannually). However, Merriam-Webster does not provide a real-time system for tracking royalties, which may leave authors with less immediate insight into their earnings.

Spines, on the other hand, offers 100% royalties to authors, allowing them to retain all net earnings from book sales after taxes and platform fees. Authors can track their earnings in real time through a transparent dashboard, and payouts are available weekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the subscription plan. Authors can request withdrawals anytime their earnings exceed $25, ensuring ease and flexibility.

When comparing the two, Spines clearly stands out for authors who want to maximize their financial returns and have full control over their earnings. Merriam-Webster’s shared royalties align with traditional publishing standards, making it more suitable for those seeking prestige over monetary control.

Marketing Services

Marketing support is one area where Merriam-Webster and Spines differ significantly in their offerings and approach.

Merriam-Webster provides minimal marketing support for its authors. While their reputation and established distribution channels ensure that books are available to a broad audience, authors are largely responsible for their own marketing efforts. Merriam-Webster does not include extensive promotional campaigns as part of its publishing process, and there are no specific marketing packages available. For authors, this can make the promotion of their work more challenging, especially for niche titles.

In contrast, Spines Publishing provides a comprehensive marketing toolkit as part of its publishing packages. Authors gain access to features like ad creation tools for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads, along with a personal author platform to engage with readers. These services are included in the publishing packages, making marketing easier and more accessible for authors. Additionally, the transparent dashboard helps authors monitor the performance of their marketing campaigns and track sales data.

These features make it easier for authors to promote their books, even with little prior experience. While Spines’ marketing services are included in its subscription plans, authors can scale up their efforts by customizing their budgets for additional ad placements.

For authors seeking robust marketing support, Spines offers a clear advantage by simplifying the often-daunting task of promotion, whereas Merriam-Webster focuses on distribution and leaves marketing to the author.

Top rated publishers:

9.5

7.0

POD and Distribution

Both Merriam-Webster and Spines offer strong distribution services, but their focus and features differ, reflecting their respective publishing models.

Merriam-Webster:

Distribution: Merriam-Webster excels in traditional distribution channels, with a strong presence in academic bookstores, libraries, and specialty shops. Their books are also widely available through major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This extensive reach ensures that their publications are accessible to their target audience, particularly in the educational and language sectors.
POD: Merriam-Webster does not focus on print-on-demand (POD) services, as their model centers around traditional publishing and larger production runs.
Included Service: Distribution is included in their publishing process, with no extra cost to the author. However, authors rely on Merriam-Webster’s discretion for managing inventory and placement.

Spines:

Distribution: Spines offers global distribution, ensuring books are available through top-tier retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. Their distribution service is expansive and tailored for the self-publishing model, catering to a diverse audience.
POD: Print-on-demand (POD) is a core feature of Spines’ services, allowing authors to print books as needed without requiring large production runs. Authors can order copies directly through their dashboard, and the POD system ensures books are readily available for purchase without managing inventory.
Included Service: POD and distribution are included in Spines’ subscription packages, with no additional charges for standard distribution.

Comparison:
Merriam-Webster excels in traditional distribution networks, leveraging its reputation and established relationships to place books in academic and niche markets. Spines, on the other hand, shines in its POD capabilities and global reach, offering flexibility and scalability for self-published authors. For authors seeking quick availability and a broader reach, Spines provides an edge with its modern approach.

Support Services

Support for authors differs greatly between Merriam-Webster and Spines, reflecting their distinct approaches to the publishing process.

Merriam-Webster:

Support Provided: As a traditional publisher, Merriam-Webster’s focus is on editorial and production quality rather than ongoing author support. Authors typically work with editors and other staff during the publishing process, but direct interaction is limited and project-specific.
Production Manager: Authors do not receive a dedicated production manager, and much of the communication is structured around the phases of traditional publishing.
Author Independence: Once the book is published, authors are largely on their own for marketing and promotional efforts, with minimal guidance from Merriam-Webster.

Spines:

Support Provided: Spines prioritizes author support, offering a comprehensive system designed to assist writers throughout the self-publishing journey.
Dedicated Production Manager: Each author is assigned a production manager who serves as a single point of contact, providing personalized guidance and ensuring a smooth publishing experience.
Real-Time Assistance: Authors have access to responsive customer support and can communicate with their production manager for updates, troubleshooting, and advice.
Empowering Tools: Spines’ user-friendly dashboard offers transparency and control, making it easier for authors to manage their projects with support readily available when needed.

Comparison:
Merriam-Webster’s support is minimal and focused on the traditional publishing process, leaving authors to handle promotion and long-term strategies independently. In contrast, Spines provides extensive, hands-on support through dedicated managers and robust tools, empowering authors to navigate the self-publishing process with ease and confidence.

Customer Experience and Reviews

Merriam-Webster:

Customer Experience: As an established name in traditional publishing, Merriam-Webster enjoys a strong reputation for credibility and quality in educational and reference materials. However, specific reviews of their publishing services are limited, as they primarily cater to a niche audience of experts and established authors.
Ratings: While Merriam-Webster is widely respected for its dictionaries and language guides, there is little public feedback available about its publishing arm, making it challenging to gauge customer satisfaction directly related to this service.

Spines:

Customer Experience: Spines has received overwhelmingly positive feedback for its user-friendly platform and efficient publishing process. Customers frequently praise the blend of AI-driven tools and personalized support, noting that the production managers and transparent dashboard make the publishing experience seamless and stress-free.
Ratings: Spines holds a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot and Google, reflecting high levels of satisfaction among users. Many authors highlight the platform’s affordability, speed, and quality as standout features, making it a popular choice for self-publishers.

Comparison:
Merriam-Webster’s reputation is rooted in its legacy as a trusted brand, while Spines excels in modern customer-centric publishing solutions, as evidenced by its strong online reviews and ratings. For authors seeking transparent feedback and peer experiences, Spines offers a clearer picture of customer satisfaction.