- Paige Ross
- 0 min read
Morris Publishing vs. Spines
Table of Contents
In today’s diverse self-publishing landscape, Morris Publishing and Spines Publishing Platform offer distinct services tailored to different types of authors. While Morris Publishing focuses primarily on short-run book printing, Spines is an advanced technology platform that provides a full suite of publishing services.
This comparison explores both companies in detail, covering services, pricing, royalties, publishing timelines, and more to help authors make an informed choice.
Quick Comparison
- Services: Morris Publishing only provides printing services. The authors handle editing, formatting, and distribution. Spines provides full publishing services, including editing, formatting, cover design, audiobook, and distribution.
- Pricing: Morris has per-book pricing with a 25-copy minimum order. Spines offers monthly packages for under $200, covering various publishing needs.
- Distribution and Marketing: Morris provides no distribution or marketing support, the authors must manage it on their own. Spines has global distribution and marketing tools included, making it easier for authors to reach a wider audience.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | 4.6 stars | 5 stars |
| 💸 Affordability | Monthly plans start under $200 | Affordable for small to medium print runs, priced per book |
| 💰Royalties | 100% royalties to authors | No royalties – authors keep 100% of profits |
| ⏳Production Speed | Less than 30 days | 15 business days for standard orders; 10-day rush option |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Comprehensive marketing tools and ad setup | No marketing services offered |
| 🌎 Distribution | Global distribution, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble | No distribution services; authors handle their own |
| 🧑💻 Support | Dedicated production manager and full customer support | Good customer support, especially during the printing process |
| 📚Formats | Supports eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats | Paperback and hardcover with multiple binding options |
| 💎 Transparency | A transparent dashboard for tracking publishing progress | Provides clear guidelines and steps for self-publishing |
Overview of Morris Publishing
Morris Publishing is a self-publishing company that specializes in short-run book printing, appealing to authors who want to retain full control over their work and profits. Positioned primarily as a printer rather than a traditional publisher, Morris Publishing allows authors to manage their projects from manuscript submission to final sales, providing flexibility and independence.
Their services focus on producing high-quality printed books, offering a variety of binding styles, including paperback and hardcover, with order sizes ranging from 25 to 5,000 copies. Morris Publishing also provides ISBN and barcode options, making it possible for authors to sell through major retailers, though distribution and marketing are left to the author’s responsibility.
While they don’t offer editing or extensive design services, Morris Publishing supports authors with basic cover design options and helpful templates. With a strong reputation for customer service, efficient turnaround times (15 business days standard, with rush options), and affordable pricing, Morris Publishing is ideal for authors looking for quality printing services and a hands-on role in managing their book’s journey to readers.
Morris Publishing has a quality process that speaks for itself. With a glowing 5-star rating on Trustpilot, you can count on lots of support and dedicated work for your manuscript.
Key Features
Known for reliable customer service and quick turnaround times, Morris Publishing is ideal for those seeking control over their work while ensuring professional print quality. Authors benefit from full ownership and keep all profits, making it an attractive choice for independent, self-directed publishing projects.
Key Features of Morris Publishing Include:
- Printing Services
- Formats & Binding
- Order Flexibility
- ISBN & Barcode
- Cover Design Assistance
- Quick Turnaround
- Self-Publishing Kit
- Customer Service
- Author Ownership
Does Not Offer:
- Comprehensive Publishing Support
- Marketing Services
- Distribution Services
- E-book Services
Overview of Spines
Spines is a cutting-edge, advanced self-publishing platform that combines technology and human expertise to provide a seamless publishing experience. Established to overcome the limitations of traditional publishing, Spines streamlines every step of the process, making it accessible and efficient for authors at all stages. The platform offers an extensive range of services, from proofreading and formatting to professional cover design, audiobook creation, and print-on-demand options. Unlike many self-publishing services, Spines provides a single, user-friendly dashboard where authors can monitor their project’s progress, track royalties in real-time, and access marketing tools.
Spines’ flexible pricing model starts at under $200 per month (subject to change; visit their pricing page for further details), offering three tiers designed to meet the unique needs of different authors. Packages include essential publishing support, a dedicated production manager, and access to global distribution networks, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Spines also prioritizes author profits, giving authors 100% of royalties from book sales, without taking a cut.
In addition to core publishing functions, Spines equips authors with valuable marketing resources, including a personal author platform and the ability to create ads on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Google. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with authors praising the platform’s efficiency, comprehensive services, and ease of use, which is evident in their 4.6 star rating from Trustpilot. Overall, Spines is an ideal choice for authors who want a fast, transparent, and streamlined approach to self-publishing while maintaining full control over their creative work.
Key Features
Spines offers a complete suite of self-publishing services, combining advanced technological efficiency with human oversight for a smooth and professional publishing experience. With these features, Spines makes high-quality, accessible publishing possible for authors seeking a streamlined, professional experience.
Key Features of Spines Include:
- Comprehensive Publishing Support
- Transparent, User-Friendly Dashboard
- Flexible Pricing Packages
- Global Distribution
- 100% Royalties
- Marketing Tools
- Dedicated Production Manager
- All Formats Generated (POD, eBooks, Audiobooks)
- Copyright Protection
Does Not Include:
- Multilingual Publishing (other than English and Spanish)
- Traditional Publishing Model
- Physical Bookstore Placement
Affordability
The tenability of publishing can often be chosen by the factor of affordability. While these two companies both offer relatively good options, it all will depend on your specific needs. Let’s explore the pricing structures of Morris Publishing and Spines a bit further.
Morris Publishing Pricing
Morris Publishing operates a tiered pricing structure based on order quantity, starting at 25 books. Costs vary by page count and binding style, with a 100-page book priced at around $6.68 per book for small orders. Individual order pricing can be found in more detail on their website.
Spines Pricing
Spines offers three packages starting under $200/month, with differing prices for different services. Spines’ pricing model allows for monthly payments, designed to make publishing accessible to authors on a budget or one-time payments.
Evaluating the Pricing
Morris Publishing follows a per-book pricing model, with costs based on factors like page count, binding style, and order quantity. The minimum order is 25 copies, with pricing tiers that decrease per book as quantity increases. For example, a 100-page book might cost around $6.68 per copy for a smaller order, with lower per-book costs for larger print runs.
Some extra services, such as ISBN and barcode setup or rush orders, require additional fees. Authors can also order printed proofs for an added cost if desired.
Authors who want to self-manage and only need printing services will find Morris affordable, particularly for small to medium print runs. The per-book pricing is cost-effective for authors who have already prepared their manuscripts and require only the printing and binding stages.
Spines offers monthly packages, starting under $200 per month for the Essential Production package, with single-payment options available. Higher-priced packages provide additional features like hardcover, eBook, and audiobook production. The monthly payment structure is designed to make professional publishing more accessible, spreading out costs over time.
Unlike Morris, each Spines package includes comprehensive services for the entire publishing process—from AI-driven proofreading and formatting to cover design, audiobook production, and global distribution. Additionally, each plan includes a dedicated production manager to guide authors, removing the need to source or pay for individual services.
Authors looking for a full-service solution and streamlined publishing experience will find Spines’ packages cost-effective. The monthly payments are particularly beneficial for emerging authors who want access to high-quality publishing services without an upfront investment, making it an affordable choice for those seeking a quick and professional publishing journey.
In summary, Morris Publishing is ideal for authors needing affordable print runs without full-service publishing, while Spines caters to those seeking a complete, budget-friendly publishing experience, with transparent costs spread over time.
Publishing Timeline
Spines and Morris Publishing offer different approaches to publishing timelines, catering to varied author needs. With a streamlined, AI-supported process, Spines completes the entire publishing journey within 30 days. Authors benefit from a transparent dashboard to track each stage, from proofreading and formatting to cover design and global distribution. This quick timeline is ideal for authors seeking a fast, comprehensive publishing experience with all services handled on one platform.
Primarily a printing service, Morris Publishing’s timeline is more dependent on the author’s preparation. Authors submit a fully press-ready manuscript and once approved, Morris takes about 15 business days to print and ship the order, with a 10-day rush option available. This timeline suits authors who are ready to manage their own pre-production tasks and simply need efficient, high-quality book printing.
Authors looking to print their work within a specific timeframe, especially for small-scale distribution or personal events, may benefit from Morris’ quick production time once files are finalized. Spines is ideal for authors who want a quick, comprehensive publishing process without managing each stage independently. The 30-day publishing timeline allows authors to publish professionally without delays, even if they’re new to the self-publishing process.
In summary, Spines is optimal for a fast, end-to-end publishing process, while Morris focuses on quick printing for authors who are prepared to handle other aspects independently.
Royalties
Because the services offered between the two companies are very different, the royalty structure reflects that. Here’s a quick comparison of the royalty structures for Spines and Morris Publishing:
Spines:
Authors receive 100% of royalties from book sales; Spines does not take a cut.
- Royalties are calculated on net sales (total sales minus any applicable taxes).
- Real-time royalty tracking is available on a user-friendly dashboard.
- Provides flexible payout options where authors can request payouts weekly, monthly, or quarterly once sales exceed $25.
- Ideal for authors seeking full profit retention and transparency on earnings.
Morris Publishing:
No royalties are involved, as Morris acts as a printer rather than a publisher.
- Authors keep 100% of the profits from their sales, as they independently manage distribution and sales.
- Authors are responsible for setting up sales channels and distribution (e.g., listing on Amazon).
- Suitable for authors who want to retain full ownership and self-manage sales and distribution.
Spines includes built-in distribution with royalty tracking and payout options, while Morris leaves sales and distribution entirely to the author. Both companies allow authors to keep all profits from book sales, but Spines provides the added benefit of integrated sales tracking and payout flexibility.
Marketing Services
The needs of each author and the services that are available to them are unique to each situation. Here’s an overview of the marketing services provided by Spines and Morris Publishing.
As a print-focused service, Morris Publishing does not offer marketing services. Authors are independently responsible for all promotional efforts. This model is ideal for authors who are primarily focused on printing and distributing their books themselves or who already have their own marketing strategy in place.
Spines offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit, tailored to help authors maximize their book’s visibility. Authors can create ads directly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google, and the platform includes a customizable author page for additional promotion. Spines also provides marketing courses to guide authors on effective strategies, allowing them to manage and track their promotional efforts in one place. This makes Spines a strong choice for authors who want integrated marketing support and tools to reach a broader audience.
In essence, Spines offers robust, built-in marketing tools for authors, while Morris leaves marketing entirely up to the author.
Print-On-Demand
While Morris focuses on high-quality printing, it does not offer Print-On-Demand services. Instead, authors must place bulk orders, starting at a minimum of 25 copies.
Spines offers full Print-On-Demand (POD) capabilities, allowing authors to produce books as orders come in without large upfront print runs. This service is integrated with global distribution channels, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, making it easy for authors to reach a wide audience without managing inventory.
In summary, Spines offers flexible POD with global distribution, while Morris is suited to authors looking for bulk printing without POD capabilities.
Distribution
Morris Publishing does not provide distribution services, focusing solely on printing. Authors who choose Morris are responsible for managing all aspects of distribution, including listing their books on platforms like Amazon if desired. This approach is well-suited for authors who plan to handle their own sales and marketing or who primarily sell books locally or at events.
Spines offers extensive distribution through its global network, including major online retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This allows authors to reach readers worldwide without needing to arrange separate distribution channels.
In summary, Spines provides built-in global distribution, while Morris leaves distribution entirely up to the author, allowing greater control but requiring more effort.
Support Services
Known for its responsive customer service, Morris Publishing provides helpful guidance during the printing process, especially for authors new to self-publishing. However, support is limited to the printing phase, as Morris does not offer full publishing services. Authors retain control over other aspects, such as editing, formatting, and distribution.
Spines offers extensive support, including a dedicated production manager for each author, ensuring guidance through every stage of the publishing process. Authors also have access to a user-friendly dashboard for tracking progress, real-time royalty data, and integrated marketing tools. This comprehensive support structure is ideal for authors looking for hands-on assistance and a streamlined, tech-enhanced experience.
In summary, Spines provides end-to-end support through a dedicated manager and dashboard tools, while Morris focuses on assisting with the printing stage, leaving other responsibilities to the author.
Customer Experience and Reviews
Morris Publishing is known for high customer satisfaction, especially regarding print quality and customer service. Authors appreciate the responsiveness of the support team, which provides helpful guidance during the printing phase. Morris holds a 5-star rating on Trustpilot, with customers often commending the professionalism and efficiency of their services, making it a solid choice for authors focused on high-quality printing.
Spines has received positive reviews for its user-friendly platform, speed, and extensive support. Authors frequently praise the combination of AI-powered tools and human guidance, which streamlines the publishing process. The transparency offered through a tracking dashboard and real-time royalty insights is also well-regarded. With a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, Spines is favored by authors seeking a comprehensive, efficient publishing experience.
In sum, Spines is valued for its full-service approach and transparency, while Morris is praised for its quality printing and customer care during the printing process.
Morris Publishing vs. Spines
The main differences within the service scope are that Morris focuses on printing, requiring authors to handle editing, formatting, distribution, and marketing independently. Spines offers a full-service platform, including editing, formatting, cover design, distribution, and marketing support.
Morris does not offer distribution or marketing services, while Spines includes global distribution and marketing tools for social media ads and a customizable author platform. They have a straightforward print timeline (15 business days post-approval), but pre-production is on the author. Spines can publish a book within 30 days, covering all steps from manuscript to distribution.
Both platforms allow authors to keep 100% of royalties, but Spines provides a dashboard for real-time royalty tracking, adding transparency.
If you’re new to publishing, Spines is the better choice. Its all-in-one platform, dedicated production manager, and comprehensive support make it easy to navigate the entire publishing process. Spines handles all technical aspects, allowing you to focus on your book. Spines is also ideal for authors looking for good Marketing Services. It offers built-in tools for creating ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, along with marketing courses and a customizable author platform to boost book visibility.
For authors wanting total control over their project, Morris Publishing may suit you better. With Morris, you handle the creative, production, and distribution processes, only relying on them for high-quality printing services. Morris Publishing can be a more affordable option if you only need a few printed copies and don’t require full publishing support. The per-book pricing and minimum order flexibility make it cost-effective for those who already have a print-ready manuscript.
In summary, Spines is best for authors seeking a complete publishing solution, while Morris is well-suited to those who need a reliable, high-quality printing service and prefer to manage other aspects independently.
Whether you need help with the entire process or just a small part of it, your publishing journey is your own. Consider your specific needs, budget, timeline, and desired input with care before making your decision. For a deeper dive into Spines and Morris Publishing, check out our reviews of each of their services. Also, consider visiting their respective websites.