- Eliza Randall
- 0 min read
Spines VS Lulu Publishing
Table of Contents
Self-publishing has revolutionized the book industry, giving authors the power to take control of their work. However, choosing the right platform is essential to ensuring a smooth publishing experience and maximizing your book’s success.
Two popular options for independent authors are Spines and Lulu Publishing. Each platform offers unique features and services, but which one best suits your needs?
In this article, we’ll provide a detailed comparison of Spines and Lulu Publishing, highlighting their key strengths, weaknesses, pricing, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Key Differences
- Comprehensive Services vs. DIY Approach: Spines offers a full suite of services (cover design, editing, audiobook creation) with a guided process, while Lulu focuses more on a do-it-yourself model with basic tools for formatting and distribution.
- Publishing Speed: Spines can publish a book in as little as 30 days, whereas Lulu’s process, especially for global distribution, can take 6-8 weeks.
- Royalties: Spines gives authors 100% of royalties, while Lulu offers 80% for printed books and 90% for eBooks.
- Technology: Spines leverages advanced technology for formatting and production, offering a modern and efficient publishing process.
| FEATURE |  |  |
| ⭐ Customer Experience | Highly rated, affordability and ease of use | Reasonable prices, but issues with print quality and support |
| 💸 Affordability | Packages starting from $125/month | Free basic services, transparent pricing, optional paid services |
| ⏳Production Speed | Less than 30 days | 6-8 weeks for global distribution approval |
| 🏢 Marketing Services | Comprehensive Marketing Tools | Minimal, author-driven marketing |
| 🌎 Distribution | Global Distribution on countless channels | including major retailers and bookstores |
| 🧑💻 Support | Personal Production Manager | Publishing Specialists |
| 📚Formats | All Formats Generated by High-Quality AI | All Formats (except Audiobooks) |
| 💎 Transparency | Innovative Platform (easy to follow, all accessible) | Lacks Transparency |
Overview of Spines
Founded in 2022, Spines aims to revolutionize the self-publishing industry with its AI-powered platform, providing authors with a seamless publishing experience. By blending advanced technology with human expertise, Spines offers an efficient solution to combat traditional publishing challenges.
Spines offers a comprehensive range of services, including manuscript preparation, editing, book design, formatting, distribution, and marketing. The innovative platform also provides full transparency, allowing authors to track their progress and make informed decisions throughout the publishing journey and providing all necessary services on a single, user-friendly platform.
Pricing for Spines starts at $125 per month, offering an affordable entry point for authors. This subscription includes access to all necessary publishing tools and services, making it a cost-effective solution for those looking to self-publish their books.
Despite entering the market not too long ago, Spines has quickly distinguished itself with a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, demonstrating that authors appreciate its modern solution to the outdated publishing world. Publishing an average of 5 books per day, Spines has become one of the leading publishers in the industry.
Spines – Key Features
One of the main differences is that Spines is a publishing platform, with a transparent and user-friendly dashboard that allows authors to easily track and manage their book’s production. With tailored plans that include essential services like editing, copyright protection, and ISBN assignment, Spines makes self-publishing more accessible and affordable for authors.
- User-Friendly Dashboard
- Advanced AI Technology
- Proofreading & Editing
- 100% Royalties
- Cover Design
- Global Distribution
- Marketing
- All Formats Generated (POD, eBooks, Audiobooks)
- Copyright Protection
- Dedicated Support
Does Not Offer
- Currently only supports publishing in English.
- Platform is not yet fully intuitive
Overview of Lulu
Lulu Publishing is a versatile self-publishing platform that caters to independent authors, small publishers, and creators looking for a range of product options. Founded in 2002, Lulu offers a free-to-use platform for book creation and distribution, allowing authors to publish without any upfront costs. One of its standout features is the high royalty rates, with authors retaining 80% of profits from print book sales and 90% from eBooks.
Additionally, Lulu has no minimum order requirement, enabling authors to print as few or as many copies as needed. The platform supports global distribution, making books available through major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as other online and physical stores. Lulu also provides comprehensive print-on-demand services, ensuring books are printed only when ordered, which helps manage costs and avoid excess inventory.
Lulu – Key Features
- Free to Use: No upfront costs for book creation and distribution.
- High Royalties: Authors retain a significant percentage of profits (80% for print, 90% for eBooks).
- No Minimum Orders: Flexibility to print as few or as many copies as desired.
- Global Distribution: Access to major retailers and online stores, along with print-on-demand options.
Does Not Offer
- Basic Production Tools: Limited tools for formatting, cover design, and proofreading, requiring authors to handle these aspects themselves.
- No Marketing Services: Authors are responsible for their own promotion, as Lulu does not provide extensive marketing support.
- Complex Platform: The platform can be challenging for new users to navigate, and there have been reports of inconsistent print quality.
Comparing Pricing & Affordability
When it comes to affordability, both Spines and Lulu Publishing offer budget-friendly options for self-publishing authors, but with distinct pricing structures.
Spines Pricing
Spines offers a flexible pricing model with packages starting at $99 per month for 12 months or a one-time fee of $1,500. The platform’s three-tier structure includes:
- Essential Production ($99/month): Softcover book publishing with services like copyright protection, basic formatting, and one ISBN.
- Signature Production ($199/month): Adds eBook and hardcover formats, plus an increased word limit and additional ISBNs.
- Paramount Production ($336/month): Includes audiobook creation, professional cover design, and proofreading.
Lulu Pricing
Lulu also offers a free-to-use platform for basic book creation and distribution, with no initial costs for uploading and publishing books. However, unlike KDP, Lulu provides a range of optional paid services, including cover design, formatting, and enhanced distribution, which can help authors with specific needs. Lulu’s pricing structure is transparent, with cost calculators available to estimate expenses based on book specifications and service selections.
Comparing Prices
When comparing pricing, Spines offers flexible monthly plans starting at $125 per month, with more comprehensive packages up to $336 per month, providing full production services like editing and audiobook creation. Lulu, on the other hand, is free to use for basic publishing, but authors pay for additional services like printing and distribution, making it more cost-effective upfront but requiring more hands-on effort. Both platforms offer competitive royalty structures, but Spines provides more comprehensive support with its pricing.
Publishing Timeline
If you’re looking for speed, Spines has the edge. They can publish your book in 30 days or less by combining AI with human expertise, and their dashboard makes it easy for you to track every step of the process. On the other hand, Lulu Publishing tends to move at a slower pace. If you opt for global distribution, it can take 6-8 weeks for your book to go live, and you’ll be responsible for managing the formatting and submission yourself. This can add extra time if revisions are needed. So, if you want a quicker, more guided experience, Spines might be the better option for you.
Marketing Services
Spines offers a comprehensive marketing toolkit, including book marketing courses, and a personal author platform that is designed to generate sales and boost your book’s engagement. Authors can customize their marketing investments to suit their budgets and track sales performance through the user-friendly dashboard, ensuring effective promotion and engagement with readers. Authors also can create ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Google Ads with the click of a button.
In contrast, Lulu Publishing offers very limited marketing support. While they do provide the option to list your book on the Lulu Bookstore and distribute it globally through retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the responsibility for marketing largely falls on the author. Lulu lacks in-depth tools or guidance for running promotional campaigns, leaving authors to handle advertising and outreach independently.
If you’re looking for hands-on marketing assistance and tools to boost your book’s visibility, Spines offers far more robust options compared to Lulu’s basic approach.
Print-On-Demand and Distribution
Both Spines and Lulu Publishing offer print-on-demand (POD) services, but they approach it differently.
Spines includes print-on-demand as part of its comprehensive publishing packages, ensuring that authors can print books as needed without the hassle of managing large inventories. Spines works with major global distribution channels like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, giving authors access to a wide-reaching network while handling all logistics behind the scenes. Authors can order copies through the Spines platform and have them delivered directly to their door.
Lulu Publishing has long been known for its robust print-on-demand capabilities, allowing authors to print books only when orders are placed, eliminating the need for upfront printing costs. Lulu’s POD service is highly flexible, enabling authors to print a single copy or larger quantities as needed. Books can be distributed globally through retailers like Amazon, but authors are responsible for managing print quality and distribution details.
While both platforms offer print-on-demand, Spines provides a more guided experience within its all-in-one platform, whereas Lulu gives authors greater control but requires more hands-on management. If you prefer a more seamless, hands-off process, Spines may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize flexibility and control over the printing process, Lulu excels in this area.
Support and Ease of Use
When it comes to support and ease of use, Spines provides a more hands-on approach. Every author is assigned a dedicated production manager, offering personalized guidance from manuscript preparation to distribution. This ensures that authors have a support system throughout the entire process, though some users have noted that the platform’s interface could be more intuitive, as it’s still being refined.
In contrast, Lulu Publishing offers a self-guided experience, providing authors with resources like guides and video tutorials. However, because much of the publishing process is managed by the author, the platform can be difficult to navigate, especially for beginners who may not have experience with formatting or design. While Spines offers more direct assistance, Lulu’s platform demands a steeper learning curve, making it less user-friendly for those new to self-publishing.
Customer Feedback
Spines has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, with many users praising its blend of technology and human insight. Authors appreciate the efficiency and transparency of the platform, as well as the quality of services like editing and cover design.
Lulu has a mixed rating of 3.9 on Trustpilot. While some authors value the platform’s affordability and global reach, others mention issues with print quality and the complexity of the platform. Lulu’s lack of comprehensive customer support is a common concern, as many authors find the self-publishing process overwhelming.
Choosing Between Spines or Lulu Publishing: Which is Right for You?
When choosing between Spines and Lulu Publishing, it depends on your needs as an author.
Spines is ideal for those seeking a comprehensive, guided publishing experience. By blending AI with professional oversight, Spines takes care of cover design, editing, and global distribution while keeping you involved. Its quick publishing timeline (30 days or less) and 100% royalty retention make it a great choice for authors who want speed and full control of their earnings.
Lulu Publishing, on the other hand, is more suited for authors comfortable with a DIY approach. If you prefer handling the publishing process yourself—such as formatting and cover design—Lulu offers flexible print-on-demand and distribution services with no upfront costs. This makes it a more budget-friendly option, particularly for experienced authors who don’t need extensive production support.
In summary, choose Spines if you want hands-on support, faster publishing, and higher royalties. Choose Lulu if you prefer more autonomy and are looking for a low-cost platform to manage your own publishing process. The decision hinges on whether you value a guided experience or independent control.
Schedule a Free 15 MInute Call With Spines
If Spines seems like a good fit for your needs, schedule a free15-minute call with their publishing experts to get more details on how to effectively publish your book. Visit their website to discover their innovative publishing platform.