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BookBaby charges $399–$1,999 per book with upfront packages. Books.by is $99/yr for unlimited books. Here's the honest breakdown of both platforms.
| Feature | Books.by | BookBaby |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Direct-to-reader storefront + POD | Publishing service + distribution |
| Pricing Model | $99/yr — unlimited books | $399–$1,999 per book |
| Direct Sales | ✓ Your own bookstore | ✗ Distribution only |
| Royalties (Direct) | 100% | N/A — no direct sales |
| Royalties (Retail) | N/A — direct sales model | Varies by retailer (30–70%) |
| Payout Speed | Daily | Quarterly |
| Customer Data | ✓ Full name, email, address | ✗ Retailers keep customer data |
| Print-on-Demand | ✓ Built in, global fulfilment | ✓ Via distribution partners |
| Free ISBNs | ✓ Unlimited, no restrictions | Included in some packages (BookBaby as publisher) |
| Cover Design | ✓ Cover builder included | ✓ Paid add-on ($199–$699) |
| Editing Services | ✗ BYO (we're a platform, not a service) | ✓ Paid add-on ($399–$1,499) |
| Distribution Reach | Direct-to-reader (your traffic) | Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, 150+ retailers |
| Revision Fees | Free — update anytime | $49+ per revision |
| Money-Back Guarantee | ✓ 100 days | 30 days (minus printing costs) |
BookBaby uses a per-book package model. Every book you publish requires purchasing a new package. Here's what their packages look like in 2026:
The math gets brutal when you have multiple books. A three-book series on BookBaby's mid-tier package costs $2,997. On Books.by, it's still $99/yr. BookBaby's $399–$1,999 upfront packages are a relic of vanity publishing. You shouldn't pay thousands before selling a single copy.
Those packages don't include add-on services either. Want BookBaby to edit your manuscript? That's $399–$1,499 extra. Want a custom cover design? Another $199–$699. Want interior formatting? $149 more. These costs are separate from the base packages. After helping 20,000+ authors publish, we've seen too many new writers spend $2,000+ on BookBaby packages and sell fewer than 50 copies.
From Ash Davies, Founder: "I've watched the BookBaby pricing model for a decade. Every year the packages get more expensive, the add-ons multiply, and the per-book economics get worse. The publishing world has moved on from this model. Authors deserve better." — Ash Davies, Books.by
Let's say you're publishing a 3-book fiction series. Both print and ebook. Here's what you'd spend over 2 years on each platform:
You save $2,897
That's enough for a professional editor and a custom cover design.
Upfront costs aside — here's what happens every time a reader buys your 200-page B&W paperback.
BookBaby has real strengths — especially if you want a full-service, hands-off publishing experience:
All-in-one service packages. BookBaby bundles editing, formatting, cover design, and distribution into single packages. For authors who want to write and hand everything else off, this has appeal.
Wide retail distribution. BookBaby distributes to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and 150+ retailers globally. If wide retail presence is your priority, they deliver.
Print quality. BookBaby's printing quality is solid. Their hardcover and premium paperback options are well-regarded in the industry.
Author services. Need editing, formatting, cover design, and marketing in one place? BookBaby offers all of it — for a price. This convenience matters to some authors.
BookBaby and Books.by aren't trying to do the same thing. Understanding this makes the choice clearer:
BookBaby is a publishing service company. You pay them to produce and distribute your book. They handle the logistics and send it to retailers. You're the client; they're the vendor. Your books appear on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other stores, but the customer relationship belongs to those retailers.
Books.by is a direct-to-reader platform. Think Shopify for authors. You get your own bookstore where readers buy directly from you. You keep 100% of royalties, own all customer data, and get paid daily. You're the business owner; we're the infrastructure.
This isn't just a pricing difference — it's a business model difference.
With BookBaby, you're paying for services on each book. With Books.by, you're investing in a platform that scales with you. One book or twenty books — the platform cost stays the same.
You want a full-service, hands-off experience and don't mind paying per book. You don't have your own audience yet and need wide retail distribution to Amazon, B&N, and other stores. You want editing, formatting, and design bundled into one package. Budget isn't your primary concern.
You want to keep 100% of your royalties and sell directly to readers. You have (or are building) your own audience through email, social media, or a website. You want to publish multiple books without paying per-title fees. You want daily payouts, customer data, and your own branded storefront. You're treating your writing as a business.
Many authors use both approaches: BookBaby (or Amazon KDP) for wide retail distribution, and Books.by for direct sales from personal traffic. This gives you the best of both worlds — retail discovery and direct-to-reader profits.
100% royalties · Free ISBNs · 100-day money-back guarantee
$99/yr for unlimited books, free ISBNs, and 100% royalties. 100-day money-back guarantee.
Start Your Bookstore →