Alternatives to BookBaby: comparing BookBaby and Nova Publishers
Nova Publishers and BookBaby both sell full-service publishing packages. The things to compare are what each package includes, whose retailer accounts the book is published through and how royalties are paid. Nova publishes through your own accounts and takes no share of retailer royalties.
About BookBaby
BookBaby is an established self-publishing company that sells editing, design, printing and distribution services in packages, along with its own online bookstore.
Comparing full-service publishers
When two companies both sell publishing packages, the useful comparison is what each package includes and how the book is published. Look at the editing included at each level, the number of cover concepts and revision rounds, the formats, the distribution reach, whose retailer accounts are used and how royalties are paid.
Ask each company for a written quote for your manuscript, so you are comparing the same book, the same formats and the same services.
How Nova's packages work
Nova Publishers has four packages, from Launch at $999 for an ebook to Elite at $5,499 for a full launch with an audiobook, a book trailer and marketing. Each one includes everything in the package before it, and your quote is fixed before work starts.
Your book is published in your own KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble and other retailer accounts. Retailers pay royalties straight to you, and you keep 100% of them.
When BookBaby fits
- A package from them matches exactly what your book needs.
- You've compared what's included, the price and the royalty terms, and they suit you.
When full-service publishing with Nova fits
- You want your book in your own KDP, IngramSpark and other retailer accounts.
- You want one fixed quote for the whole project.
- You want to be told which services your book doesn't need.
- You want Nova's ISBN by default, or your own if you prefer.
What Nova puts in writing before you start
- One fixed quote for the whole project, set before work starts
- Your book published in your own retailer accounts
- Nova's ISBN by default, or your own if you prefer
- 100% of your retailer royalties, paid straight to you
- In-house editors and designers, with revision rounds set in your quote
- Your book stays live in your accounts, whatever you do next
Every Nova Publishers package includes a project manager, an editor matched to your genre, a custom cover, print or ebook formatting, an ISBN, metadata and setup in your own retailer accounts. Packages run from $999 to $5,499, and single services start at $450.
Questions about Nova and BookBaby
What should I compare between publishing services?
Nova Publishers suggests comparing five things: the full price, what's included, whose retailer accounts are used, who owns the ISBN and files, and whether the company takes any share of your royalties.
What are the alternatives to BookBaby?
Nova Publishers is one alternative to BookBaby for authors who want a full-service package: four fixed-price packages from $999 to $5,499, published through your own retailer accounts, with no share of your retailer royalties.
Does Nova take a share of my royalties?
Not on retailer sales. Amazon, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and other retailers pay 100% of retailer royalties into your own accounts, and you keep 100% of your rights. On sales through Nova's own bookstore or mobile app, you get 70% of the net proceeds and Nova keeps 30%.
How much does Nova Publishers cost?
Nova Publishers packages run from $999 (Launch, ebook only) to $5,499 (Elite), with one fixed quote before work starts.
Comparing publishing services?
Send us your manuscript and we'll send a fixed quote within 1 business day, so you can compare like for like.