Ash Davies
Founder of Books.by · Helped 20,000+ authors self-publish since 2014
Two very different business models. BookBaby bundles services into upfront packages. IngramSpark charges per title for distribution. Here's which approach makes sense for your situation — and whether either is the best choice.
| Feature | BookBaby | IngramSpark | Books.by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Model | All-in-one packages | Pay-per-title distribution | Flat annual subscription |
| Upfront Cost | $399–$1,999+ | $49/title (often waived) | $99/year (unlimited titles) |
| Included Services | Formatting, cover design, ISBN, distribution | Distribution only — BYO files | POD, ISBNs, Cover Builder, storefront |
| Royalty Model | Retail − wholesale − print cost | Retail − wholesale − print cost | 100% (minus print + processing) |
| Typical Royalty* | $2.50 | $3.75 | $9.60 |
| Payout Speed | Monthly | 90 days | Daily |
| Distribution Reach | Amazon, B&N, Ingram network, libraries | ✓ 40,000+ retailers (native Ingram) | Direct sales only |
| Revision Fees | Varies by package | $25 per revision | Free, unlimited |
| ISBN Provided | ✓ In packages | ✗ BYO required | ✓ Free, unrestricted |
| Customer Data | ✗ Anonymous | ✗ Anonymous | ✓ Full details |
| Print Quality | Good | Excellent (Lightning Source) | Excellent |
| Best For | Authors who want everything done for them | DIY authors who have print-ready files | Authors with their own audience |
*Based on a 200-page B&W paperback at $19.99 retail. Both BookBaby and IngramSpark assume 55% wholesale discount.
This comparison comes down to one question: do you need publishing services, or just distribution?
BookBaby is a full-service publisher. Their packages bundle editing, formatting, cover design, ISBN assignment, and distribution into one price. You pay more upfront ($399–$1,999+), but theoretically get a "done for you" experience. The catch? You're paying premium prices for services you might not need, or could hire freelancers to do for less.
IngramSpark is pure distribution. They assume you arrive with print-ready files, your own ISBN, and knowledge of how publishing works. You pay $49 per title (often waived with promo codes), set your wholesale discount, and they make your book available to 40,000+ retailers. No hand-holding, no bundled services, lower costs.
Here's the thing both share: they're distribution platforms. Neither generates sales for you. Neither builds your audience. Neither gives you customer data. You pay hundreds (BookBaby) or tens (IngramSpark) to access retailers who might stock your book — but probably won't unless you drive demand yourself.
Look at those per-book royalties: $2.50 (BookBaby) vs $3.75 (IngramSpark). Even after paying for professional cover design and formatting separately (maybe $500-800 total), you're ahead using IngramSpark within your first 100-200 sales.
But here's the uncomfortable truth: most self-published books through these platforms sell fewer than 50 copies total. The wholesale distribution model just doesn't work for authors without existing demand. Bookstores won't stock you. Libraries won't find you. You're paying for access to a supply chain that doesn't actively want your book.
Skip BookBaby's packages. Hire freelance designers and editors individually — you'll get better work for less money. Use IngramSpark for bookstore/library distribution if you need it. But for your own traffic — email lists, social media, events — use a direct sales platform like Books.by where you keep 100% of royalties instead of 15-20%.
BookBaby's packages sound comprehensive, but look closer. The "cover design" is often templated. The "editing" is basic proofreading, not developmental editing. The "marketing package" is generic advice you could find free online. You're paying $1,500+ for services that freelancers on Reedsy or Fiverr could do better for $300-600.
IngramSpark charges $25 every time you update your book after publishing. Found a typo? $25. Want to update your cover? $25. Adjusting metadata? $25. These add up fast if you're iterating. Books.by, by contrast, lets you make unlimited changes for free.
Here's what neither platform advertises: that 40,000+ retailer network? They're making your book orderable, not stocked. Bookstores don't automatically carry your book. They can order it if a customer asks. Big difference. Without active marketing driving demand, your book sits in a catalog no one's browsing.
The third option: skip both pricing models
Books.by charges $99/year for unlimited titles with free ISBNs, free changes, and 100% royalties on every sale. No packages, no per-title fees, no wholesale discounts eating your margins. Use IngramSpark for bookstore access. Use Books.by for everything else.
IngramSpark uses Lightning Source, the same print network used by major publishers. It's industry-standard quality. BookBaby has their own print facilities — quality is good but with fewer paper and finish options. For most books, you won't notice a difference. For premium projects, IngramSpark's options are more extensive.
IngramSpark wins here. They are Ingram — the world's largest book distributor. BookBaby distributes through Ingram (and others), adding a layer of indirection. For bookstore and library access, IngramSpark's direct relationship means faster catalog updates and more reliable availability.
BookBaby has better support — it's part of what you're paying for in those packages. IngramSpark's support is notoriously slow and assumes you know what you're doing. If you need hand-holding, BookBaby is more responsive. If you're experienced, IngramSpark's self-service approach is fine.
Both offer ebook distribution to major retailers. Neither is particularly strong — you're better off using Draft2Digital for wide ebook distribution or publishing directly to each retailer. For ebooks, these platforms are afterthoughts.
IngramSpark is cheaper upfront ($49 per title vs $399-$1,999 for BookBaby packages). However, BookBaby includes services like formatting and cover design in their packages. For print-on-demand only, IngramSpark costs less. For full-service publishing with hand-holding, BookBaby's bundles may save time if not money.
IngramSpark has the edge. As part of Ingram Content Group, it has direct relationships with over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and wholesalers worldwide. BookBaby distributes through Ingram as well as other channels, but IngramSpark's native integration means faster, more reliable distribution to the Ingram network.
Both use similar wholesale discount models for retail distribution. The key difference is print costs — BookBaby's print prices tend to be higher than IngramSpark's. After wholesale discounts and print costs, IngramSpark typically leaves you with slightly more per book sold through retailers.
Not recommended. Both distribute through similar channels, creating conflicts. Choose one for distribution. If you want BookBaby's services, you can hire freelance editors and designers separately, then use IngramSpark for distribution at lower ongoing cost.
BookBaby is more hand-holding with all-in-one packages. IngramSpark assumes you have print-ready files and know what you're doing. First-timers who want guidance may prefer BookBaby's packages, while those comfortable with DIY should skip the premium and use IngramSpark directly.
BookBaby offers tiered packages from ~$399 (basic ebook publishing) to $1,999+ (premium print packages with marketing). Packages bundle services like formatting, cover design, ISBN assignment, and distribution. You pay upfront, then earn royalties on sales. The value depends entirely on whether you need those bundled services.
IngramSpark charges $49 per title to set up (often waived with promo codes), plus $25 to make changes after publishing. There's no annual fee, but the per-change fee adds up if you're iterating on your book. Books.by charges $99/year for unlimited titles with free changes anytime.
Both use high-quality commercial printers. IngramSpark uses the Ingram Lightning Source network, which is industry-standard for trade publishers. BookBaby uses their own print facilities. Quality is comparable for most books, though IngramSpark offers more paper and finish options.
Books.by: $99/year for unlimited titles, 100% royalties, daily payouts. No wholesale discounts eating your margins.
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