- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
Exploring Scribe: An In-Depth Review
Table of Contents
Scribe Media is a premier professional book publishing service, popular among self-published authors, especially entrepreneurs, consultants, executives, and other professionals. The Scribe Publishing Program caters to those with a completed manuscript, offering top-tier publishing services to ensure their book achieves maximum reach and impact. Known for its comprehensive and professional approach, Scribe Media helps authors create high-quality books that stand out in the market.
In this article, we will delve into Scribe Media, examining their services in detail and providing a comprehensive review of both the advantages and disadvantages.
Overview of Scribe Media
Co-founded in 2014 by best-selling author Tucker Max, Scribe Media offers a comprehensive range of services including writing, editing, design, publishing, and marketing. The Scribe Publishing Program supports authors with completed manuscripts who wish to publish their books professionally.
Scribe Media is recognized for its commitment to quality and professionalism, making it a preferred choice for authors aiming for a polished and impactful book. However, this level of service comes at a high cost, with the simplest package starting at $18,000 and prices reaching upwards of $48,000. Additionally, it is important to note that their services are exclusively available for non-fiction books.
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| ✅ PROS | ⛔ CONS |
| Dedicated Support 100% Royalties High Quality Comprehensive Publishing Services | Long Production Timeline – 9 Months Exclusively Publishes Non-Fiction Expensive Premium Prices |
✅ Pros of Scribe Media
Dedicated Support: Comprehensive support is provided throughout, each package includes a publishing manager.
High Quality: The publishing company is renowned for its high standards, ensuring that every book is professionally written, edited, and designed. Authors benefit from working with an experienced team of professionals, including best-selling authors and industry experts.
100% Royalties: Authors retain 100% of the royalties generated from their books.
Comprehensive Publishing Services: Scribe Media provides a comprehensive range of services, including ghostwriting, editing, cover design, and marketing, covering all aspects of the publishing process.
⛔ Cons of Scribe Media
Long Production Timeline: Publishing with Scribe takes 9 months. The comprehensive nature of Scribe’s services can also lead to longer timelines, as each stage of the process requires careful attention and expertise.
Expensive Premium Prices: Scribe Media’s professional services come at a premium price, which may be prohibitive for some authors. Despite the high-quality output, authors must still work hard to stand out in a crowded market.
Exclusively Publishes Non-Fiction: Scribe primarily targets professionals and thought leaders, which might not be ideal for authors of fiction or other genres.
Overview of Services
Scribe Media streamlines the manuscript preparation and submission process, guiding authors through each step. Authors begin by collaborating with a Scribe expert to finalize their manuscript and it goes through a comprehensive review. Here are some of the services Scribe offers:
Editing and Design Services
Scribe Media offers developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading, ensuring the manuscript is polished and professional. Their design services encompass custom cover design and interior formatting, tailored to reflect the book’s theme and appeal to its target audience.
Ebook and Print Book Production
Scribe Media handles both ebook and print book production, converting manuscripts into various formats suitable for different platforms. This includes selecting appropriate paper types, trim sizes, and binding options to create a durable and attractive physical product.
Additional Services – Marketing and Promotions
Beyond production, Scribe Media provides robust marketing and promotional support. Authors can benefit from strategic marketing plans, social media promotions, and targeted advertising campaigns. Scribe also offers distribution services, helping authors place their books in major online and physical bookstores.
They also offer an option to create an audiobook. Scribe will turn your book into an audiobook that will be recorded by a voice actor.
Pricing and Packages
Scribe Media offers a range of pricing options depending on the services required. Compared to competitors, Scribe Media’s services are on the higher end of the spectrum. Companies like Spines or BookBaby offer more affordable packages.
Each package includes a publishing manager. They are the primary point of contact throughout the entire process and will guide you through the process of publishing with Scribe.
Scribe Publishing – $18, 000
- Focuses on transforming the manuscript into a polished, market-ready book.
- Includes book cover, interior layout, proofreading, ISBN, copyright, 100% royalties, and distribution onto top platforms like Barnes & Noble etc.
Guided Author – $36,000
- Includes coaching and guidance throughout the writing process.
- Includes book cover, interior layout, proofreading and full book editing, ISBN, copyright, 100% royalties, and distribution onto top platforms like Barnes & Noble etc.
Scribe Professional $48,000
- Provides comprehensive services including writing, editing, design, and publishing support.
- Includes book cover, interior layout, proofreading and full book editing, ISBN, copyright, 100% royalties, and distribution onto top platforms like Barnes & Noble etc.
- Scribe interviews you for the content you ant written and then they do the writing, editing and publishing.
Included in each publishing package are 100 printed books.
In addition to the above packages, there is a 4th option ‘Elite Ghostwriting’. Scribe will write your book that is customized to fit your needs, however the price of this is 135k minimum .
Scribes packages are on the higher end of the publishing sphere. Scribe does provide a top quality service, but there are other companies out there who offer the same services at a much more affordable rate.
Publishing Timeline
Publishing with Scribe Media typically takes anywhere between 3-9 months depending on the path you take. These timeframes are designed to allow for thorough editing, design, and quality checks.
For ebooks, the process from manuscript submission to publication usually takes about 6 months.
Print book production, which includes additional steps like cover design, interior formatting, and physical printing, generally extends the timeline to around 6 to 9 months.
The level of service selected also impacts the timeline, as more comprehensive packages involving extensive editing and multiple rounds of revisions will naturally take longer.
Royalties
Authors retain 100% of the royalties generated from their books. This approach allows authors to maximize their earnings from each sale, whether from ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcovers.
Authors working with Scribe Media receive their royalties directly from the sales channels they use, such as Amazon or other online retailers. Payment schedules and withdrawal options are dictated by these platforms, typically on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on the specific distributor’s policies. Authors can track their sales and royalties through the respective sales channel dashboards.
While Scribe Media does not take a cut of the royalties, there may be distribution fees associated with certain sales channels. For example, platforms like Amazon may charge a fee for listing and selling books, which is deducted from the sales revenue.
Distribution
Scribe Media leverages a broad network of distribution channels to maximize the reach of its authors’ books. Key distribution partners include major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
By partnering with IngramSpark, Scribe Media taps into one of the largest global distribution networks, making books available in international markets and facilitating access to various niche platforms.
Ebooks
- The distribution process varies slightly for ebooks and print books. Ebooks are distributed digitally, enabling instant global availability across multiple online platforms.
Print Books
- Scribe Media utilizes print-on-demand technology to manage inventory efficiently. Books are printed as orders are placed, ensuring no surplus stock and reducing upfront costs for authors.
Customer Experience and Reviews
Scribe Media has received generally positive feedback from its clients, reflected in strong ratings on various review platforms.
Positive feedback often emphasizes the ease of the publishing process, the expertise of Scribe Media’s team, and the comprehensive support provided throughout. Clients appreciate the high standards of editing and design, as well as the strategic marketing guidance that enhances their book’s visibility and sales.
However, some authors have noted a few drawbacks. Common concerns include the high costs of Scribe Media’s services, which can be prohibitive for some writers, and longer timelines compared to other self-publishing platforms.
Overall, customer satisfaction with Scribe Media is high. Authors value the professionalism and dedication of the Scribe team, the quality of the final product, and the comprehensive support from manuscript preparation to marketing. Despite the higher costs and occasional delays, many clients feel that the investment is justified by the exceptional quality and success of their published books.
Is Scribe Media for You?
Scribe Media is ideal for professionals such as entrepreneurs, consultants, executives, and thought leaders who want to publish high-quality, professional books. Those with a completed manuscript seeking comprehensive, end-to-end support—from editing and design to marketing and distribution—will benefit greatly from Scribe Media’s services.
Authors with limited budgets or those seeking to publish fiction or niche genres may find Scribe Media’s high costs prohibitive and its focus less aligned with their needs.
Additionally, writers who prefer a more hands-off, automated publishing process might consider other self-publishing platforms that offer more basic, cost-effective services.
Scribe Media offers a premium, professional publishing experience that is well-suited for authors aiming to produce polished, impactful books. While the costs are higher, the investment is justified by the quality and breadth of services provided. Assess your budget, publishing goals, and the level of support you require to determine if Scribe Media aligns with your needs and expectations.
Best Alternative to Scribe…
If you’re still on the search for the right publishing company for you, there are several great options to look at. One of the best publishing options today is the innovative publishing platform known as Spines. At Spines they have simplified the publishing process, with an easy-to-use interface that offers everything from editing and cover design to distribution and book conversion.
Combining human expertise with advanced technology and artificial intelligence, Spines offers the most efficient publishing option. While Scribe’s timeline is approximately 9 months, Spines can complete the publishing process in less than 30 days. Spines is also a more affordable choice, with packages starting at $49 per month, in contrast to Scribe’s packages, which begin at $18,000.
So, if you’re looking for a faster timeline and more cost-effective prices, schedule a free 15 mintute call with Spines to find out more.
FAQs – Publishing With Scribe Media
Q: What types of services does Scribe Media offer for book publishing?
Scribe Media provides comprehensive publishing services, including ghostwriting, editing, cover design, and marketing. However, these services come at a premium cost, which may not be suitable for all authors, especially those on a tight budget.
Q: How much control do authors have over the content and design of their books with Scribe Media?
While Scribe Media offers professional expertise in content and design, the collaborative process may sometimes limit an author’s creative control. Authors should consider how much they value personal input versus relying on expert guidance.
Q: What percentage of royalties can authors expect to receive with Scribe Media?
Authors typically retain 100% of their royalties with Scribe Media, as they handle distribution independently. However, the high upfront costs for Scribe’s services can be a significant financial burden, especially without guaranteed sales.
Q: How user-friendly is the Scribe Media platform for first-time authors?
Scribe Media offers a high level of support, including a dedicated team for each project. The premium nature of their services may be overwhelming or financially inaccessible for first-time authors unfamiliar with the publishing process.
Q: What are the marketing and promotional options available through Scribe Media?
Scribe Media provides robust marketing and promotional services, but these are typically part of higher-priced packages. Authors should evaluate whether the potential marketing benefits justify the additional cost compared to other, more affordable options.