- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
Scribe vs Reedsy
Table of Contents
In the dynamic world of self-publishing, selecting the right professional publishing service can make all the difference in an author’s success. Scribe Media and Reedsy are distinguished in the self-publishing industry for offering valuable services, each tailored to different needs and preferences.
This article delves into a detailed comparison between Scribe Media and Reedsy, guiding you in determining which platform best aligns with your publishing goals. Whether you’re seeking tailored professional support or flexible, customizable options, this comparison will help you make an informed decision. Dive in to discover which service is the perfect match for your self-publishing journey.
Key Differences
- Service Model: Scribe Media offers comprehensive, all-inclusive publishing packages, while Reedsy operates as a marketplace connecting authors with individual freelance professionals.
- Cost: Scribe Media’s services start at $18,000, reflecting high-quality, end-to-end support. Reedsy allows authors to choose services à la carte, making it more flexible and potentially more affordable.
- Genre Focus: Scribe Media only publishes non-fiction, whereas Reedsy caters to all genres, including fiction.
- Scribe Media: Known for high-quality, comprehensive services with a focus on non-fiction and a premium price tag.
- Reedsy: A flexible marketplace offering a wide range of services, suitable for all genres and budgets.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | Highly Rated | 4.6 on Trustpilot |
| 💸 Affordability | Packages starting from $26, 000 paid over 6 months | Varies by service |
| 📚 Service Model | Comprehensive, all-inclusive packages | Marketplace offering publishing services |
| ⏳Production Speed | 9 Months | 3-6 Months |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Comprehensive services | Freelance marketing services |
| 🌎 POD & Distribution | Extensive distribution | Does not offer – has partnered with Blurb |
| 🧑💻 Support | Dedicated publishing managers | Independent project managers |
| 👍 Ideal For | Professionals & authors with a high budget | Authors looking for flexibility and control |
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 $26,000. 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.
Overview of Reedsy
Founded in 2014, Reedsy is a unique self-publishing service marketplace designed to connect authors with industry professionals. Reedsy’s mission is to support authors on their self-publishing journey by providing access to a wide range of vetted experts.
Reedsy is an on-demand marketplace where you can hire editors, designers, ghostwriters, marketers, and web designers. Unlike traditional publishing companies, Reedsy provides tools and resources that allow authors to manage their publishing process independently while leveraging professional expertise. The platform ensures that freelancers undergo a vetting process, aiming to offer a selection of qualified and experienced professionals.
Reedsy is highly rated on Trustpilot, with a 4.6-star rating, reflecting the positive experiences of numerous authors. The flexibility and variety of services available on Reedsy make it an attractive option if you’re looking to maintain control over your publishing process.
However, utilizing Reedsy’s services involves costs associated with hiring freelancers, which can add up quickly. Additionally, Reedsy does not offer a comprehensive, all-in-one publishing solution, requiring authors to manage certain aspects of the process independently.
Reedsy – Key Features
Reedsy offers a range of professional services through its marketplace, catering to various stages of the publishing process. Key features include:
- Access to Professional Editors, Designers, and Marketers: Connects authors with skilled professionals for book production and promotion.
- Verified Professionals: Freelancers undergo a vetting process to ensure quality and reliability.
- Variety of Services: Including ghostwriting, marketing, web design, and educational content.
- Free Tools: Offers tools like the Reedsy BookEditor and plot generator.
Does Not Offer
- Comprehensive Publishing Solution: Requires authors to manage certain aspects of publishing independently.
- Direct Distribution: Relies on partnerships for print and distribution services.
Comparing Pricing & Affordability
Scribe Media and Reedsy differ significantly in their pricing structures and the value they provide. Let’s explore how each company stacks up in terms of affordability.
Scribe Media Pricing
Scribe Media is known for its premium pricing, reflecting the high-quality, professional services it offers.
Scribe offers a range of high-end publishing packages, each designed for professionals rather than the average author.
The Scribe Publishing Package, starting at $26,000, focuses on polishing a completed manuscript with services like cover design, interior layout, proofreading, and distribution to major platforms.
Each package includes a publishing manager who guides the author through the entire process. While Scribe Media’s services are top-tier, the high costs can be prohibitive for many authors.
Reedsy Pricing
Reedsy operates on a marketplace model, where authors hire individual freelancers for specific services. The costs vary based on the freelancer’s rates and the services required.
Pictured below is your author dashboard where you can choose your publishing professionals and follow your journey with them.
Reedsy’s model allows authors to pick and choose services as needed, which can be more cost-effective for those on a budget. However, the total cost can still add up, especially for comprehensive projects.
Here is an overview of the typical pricing:
Editing Services: Developmental editing can range from $0.02 to $0.05 per word while copyediting and proofreading typically cost between $0.01 and $0.03 per word.
Design Services: Cover design costs can range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the designer’s experience and the complexity of the design. Interior formatting generally costs between $500 and $1,000.
Marketing Services: Marketing strategies and campaigns can range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the scope and duration of the campaign.
Overall, while Scribe Media offers a high-end, all-inclusive solution at a premium price, Reedsy stands out for its affordability and flexibility. Authors seeking a comprehensive experience might lean towards Scribe Media, whereas those wanting budget control, project management, or simply just looking for one specific service, may find Reedsy more appealing.
Publishing Timeline
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.
Reedsy does offer a more flexible and potentially faster timeline, generally between 3 to 6 months, however, it really does depend on your project and the freelancer you choose. Editing and design services, which vary based on freelancer availability and project complexity, typically a few weeks to a couple of months.
Marketing Services
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.
Reedsy offers marketing services through its marketplace model, allowing authors to hire freelance marketers. Available services include marketing strategy development, email marketing, social media campaigns, and advertising management. This approach offers flexibility and tailored services but requires authors to manage and coordinate these efforts themselves, which can be time-consuming and less cohesive than Scribe Media’s integrated strategy.
Scribe Media offers a more integrated and comprehensive marketing service, while Reedsy provides flexibility but requires more hands-on management. For extensive marketing support, Scribe Media stands out, whereas Reedsy’s customizable options suit those who prefer to tailor their marketing efforts.
POD & Distribution
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.
Reedsy does not directly offer POD and distribution services. However, they have partnered with Blurb to provide printing and distribution solutions. Through Blurb, authors can utilize print-on-demand services and access various distribution options, including sales through major online retailers and global distribution networks.
In conclusion, Scribe Media provides a more comprehensive and integrated POD and distribution service, ensuring global reach and multiple format availability. Reedsy, while not directly offering these services, facilitates access through a partnership with Blurb, making it a viable option for authors seeking flexible distribution solutions.
Support Services
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.
In contrast, Reedsy operates through a marketplace model, connecting authors with vetted freelance professionals. It provides collaboration tools like writing aids, automated contracts, and secure payments, but authors must manage their projects independently. This offers flexibility but requires a more hands-on approach, which might not be ideal for first-time authors needing more support.
Overall, Scribe Media is suited for authors seeking integrated, personalized support, while Reedsy caters to those preferring to manage their own publishing projects.
Customer Experience and Reviews
Both Scribe Media and Reedsy are highly rated by their users, with Reedsy boasting a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot.
Scribe Media is favored for its all-inclusive, high-quality service, offering dedicated support throughout the publishing process. This makes it ideal for authors seeking comprehensive assistance and hands-off experience, particularly professionals who value top-tier production.
Reedsy, on the other hand, is appreciated for its flexibility and customizable options. This platform is suitable for authors looking for budget-friendly solutions and control over their publishing process. Reedsy allows authors to hire professionals for specific tasks, making it an excellent choice for those who need one particular service or prefer to manage their projects more closely. Authors also enjoy the fact that their online dashboard is easy to use and you can search for your specific needs.
Choosing Between Reedsy and Scribe: Which is Right for You?
Scribe Media offers a premium, all-inclusive publishing experience with significant upfront costs, making it ideal for professionals like entrepreneurs, consultants, and executives who want a comprehensive, hands-off process with dedicated support. It’s particularly suited for non-fiction authors who prioritize top-tier production and extensive assistance. However, the high costs may be prohibitive for those on a tighter budget, and the hands-off approach might not appeal to authors who prefer more involvement.
In contrast, Reedsy offers a flexible, cost-effective alternative, allowing authors to hire professionals for specific tasks. This à la carte model is perfect for those who want to oversee their projects, adjust budgets as needed, and maintain control over the publishing process. Reedsy is especially attractive for authors on a tighter budget or those looking to self-publish fiction or other genres, providing access to high-quality services without significant upfront costs.
By recognizing the strengths of each platform, you can decide whether Scribe Media’s premium, hands-off approach is right for you, or if Reedsy’s flexible, budget-conscious model offers the control and customization you need.
Learn More About Reedsy
If Reedsy sounds like the right fit for your publishing needs, check out their website to connect with professional publishing experts. Discover how Reedsy’s marketplace can help turn your book into a polished masterpiece with top-notch services from experienced professionals.