Top 10 self-publishing houses in the USA

Self-Publishing Market in the USA

The American self-publishing industry is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector within the broader publishing landscape. Fueled by digital technology and online platforms, it has provided a pathway for aspiring authors to bypass traditional gatekeepers and publish their works independently. This industry’s growth has been buoyed by the availability of user-friendly self-publishing platforms, print-on-demand services, and digital distribution channels, making it easier than ever for authors to bring their books to market. American self-published authors span a wide range of genres, from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and children’s literature, contributing to a diverse literary landscape. While the sector offers opportunities for creative freedom and higher royalties, authors also face the challenges of marketing, quality control, and navigating a competitive marketplace. Despite these challenges, the American self-publishing industry continues to thrive, fostering innovation and providing a platform for emerging voices and unconventional narratives.

According to the 2020 statistics from the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) agency, Bowker, the number of self-published titles in the U.S. market rose by 40% from 2019, reaching a total of 1.68 million self-published titles. This trend indicated the increasing popularity of self-publishing among authors.

Furthermore, data from the 2020 StatShot Annual Report by the Association of American Publishers indicated that self-published e-books accounted for a substantial portion of the overall e-book market, with a growth rate of 16.4% from the previous year.

Additionally, the rise of platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark has facilitated the growth of the self-publishing industry by providing accessible tools and distribution channels for authors to publish and market their books independently.

From paperback or hardcover books to eBooks, people now have abundant options to satisfy their love for reading and exploring uncharted water in terms of author mindset, realistic situations, etc. With books being released in multiple countries and more new authors emerging every day, the book publishing market has recently witnessed a boom. According to a study, it was expected that the total market revenue in 2022 would be around $89.25 billion. 

Due to such dynamic numbers, several self-publishing houses have emerged in recent years. They are associated with some of the topmost authors from different genres like adult fiction, paranormal, chick-lit, educatTop 10 self-publishing houses in the USA

ion, etc. The book market has become so popular and diverse in recent years.

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What is self-publishing? 

If we consider the traditional publishing methods, authors had to submit their work copies to an established publishing house. It then edited the contents and sent them for publication. In this case, the author doesn’t have complete control over the media to be published. If the house finds the content inappropriate, it has the full discretion to remove those from the original book copy. Apart from this, there are several other constraints with publishing houses.

This is where self-publishing houses come into play! They allow authors to publish their content themselves, handing over complete control. The authors can publish anything they want, provided the content is compliant with all terms and conditions. 

Advantages of self-publishing

There are several reasons why self-publishing has become so common in today’s market. In this below section, we have shed light on some of the major benefits that you can enjoy easily without any constraints. 

1. As an author, you will have complete control over the content, the creative idea behind it, the imagery you have tried to portray, etc. 
2. Instead of receiving loyalty, you will receive the entire financial credit. This is one of the main reasons self-publishing has become so famous. 
3. You can easily grow your network through self-published content and ensure you have a solid fanbase for the next book. 
4. You won’t have to wait for anyone’s confirmation or get disappointed because the concerned pu8blishing house refused to publish your content. 

How to choose the Right Self Publishing Company for your Book in USA

1. Reputation and Track Record: Research the company’s reputation within the self-publishing industry. Look for reviews, testimonials, and success stories from other authors who have used their services.
2. Services Offered: Assess the range of services offered by the company, including editing, design, distribution, marketing, and promotion. Ensure that the company provides the specific services you need to publish your book successfully.
3. Costs and Pricing Structure: Compare the pricing structures of different self-publishing companies, including any hidden costs or fees. Ensure that the pricing aligns with your budget and publishing goals.
4. Quality of Services: Evaluate the quality of the company’s services by reviewing samples of books they have previously published. Look for well-designed covers, professionally edited content, and high-quality printing.
5. Distribution Channels: Check the distribution channels offered by the company to ensure that your book will be available in the desired formats and on major online platforms and bookstores.
6. Author Control and Rights: Understand the level of control you will have over your book and the rights you retain. Ensure that the company respects your creative control and doesn’t restrict your rights as an author.
7. Customer Support: Evaluate the level of customer support provided by the company. A reliable self-publishing company should offer prompt and effective customer support to address any concerns or issues that may arise during the publishing process.
8. Terms and Conditions: Thoroughly review the company’s terms and conditions, especially in relation to royalties, contract duration, and any exclusivity agreements. Ensure that the terms are fair and transparent.
9. Author Community and Resources: Consider whether the company offers a supportive author community and valuable resources, such as marketing guidance, educational materials, and networking opportunities, to help you navigate the self-publishing journey successfully.
10. Legal and Contractual Considerations: Consult with a legal advisor to review the contract terms and legal implications of working with the self-publishing company to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

Time taken to publish a book

The approximate time taken to publish a book will completely depend on the time you are employing for each step. Here is a breakdown of book publishing time that you must be aware of. 

1. Reading the book: 3 weeks 
2. Review and edit the manuscripts: 4 weeks
3. Updating the manuscripts and proofreading: 4 weeks
4. Formatting and cover designing: 1 week
5. Uploading the book on the self publish portal: 1 week
6. Physical cover printing and bookbinding: 2 weeks
7. Book printing and shipping: 3 weeks

Steps involved in self-publishing

• Writing the manuscripts and getting them edited with a professional
• Designing and creation of the book cover
• Arranging the final manuscript draft along with the designed book cover
• Coming up with marketing and promotional ideas for the book
• Posting it with the self-publishing book and waiting for the approval

Top self-publishing companies to look for in the US

Kindle Direct Publishing

Launched in November 2007, Kindle Direct Publishing is one of the best self-publishing houses in the US. An author can publish the book within minutes under a wide range of genres that include romance, paranormal, thriller, crime fiction, classic novels, etc. KDP offers a royalty of 60% to the authors, ensuring they can enjoy the maximum profit. One will have the option for both e-book and paperback-published versions. L.J. Ross is one of the most popular authors at KDP, followed by Rachel Abbott, Nick Spalding, Katia Lief, and Kerry Wilkinson. 

Apple Books

Apple Books was founded in April 2010, and since then, it has helped several authors to grow their careers as self-publishers. One can publish books in 33 languages. Authors get a royalty of 70% based on the ranking and badges the book has earned. Books are available for both free and paid, and the authors will have full discretion in deciding what price their books will have. Some of the top-rated authors on Apple Books are Kelsie Rae, Graham Brown, Colleen Hoover, Nora Roberts, Louise Bay, Kate Gable, Lexy Timms, and Jack Renton. 

Xlibris

Xlibris is one of the topmost self-publishing companies offering digital and on-demand printed books to readers. After its establishment, the publishing house gained so much popularity that it soon became known as the top on-demand publisher from The New York Times. It offers three different publishing packages to the authors, ensuring everyone can show their creations to others. The house also offers a customizable publishing timetable so that authors can show their creations at their convenience. Over the years, it has collaborated with many other publishing houses like Dell Publishing, Penguin Tarcher, Random House, White Soup Press, and Penguin Plume. 

Barnes & Noble Press

Considered one of the Fortune 1000 companies, Barnes & Noble was established in 1886. In 2020, the house operated about 610 retail stores across the entire country, becoming one of the largest publishing house chains. Although the publishing house initially operated as a physical retail chain of stores, in 2010, it introduced Nook- a subsidiary for online readers. This was the first venture of the publishing house into the eBook platform. Some of the best-selling books by Barnes & Noble are The War of Two Queens, The Eleventh Hour, Nightwork, Verity, and A Light in the Flame. 

Kobo 

Though Kobo is based in Canada, the company has become quite famous in the US market, thanks to the myriad of opportunities it provides the authors. It is mainly an eBook site with self-publishing services. As of now, the site has over 4 million eBooks along with many magazines and newspapers that readers can easily access. With so many genres, no author has to look for another store where they can publish their manuscripts. 

Lulu

One of the best self-publishing online platforms that you can find in the US market is Lulu. It was founded in 2002 and since then has helped a lot of popular and budding authors to find their dream. It publishes in two versions- eBooks and on-demand to ensure that the readers’ demands are met easily. During 2006 and 2007, the publishing house launched a new award system known as the Lulu Blooker Prize. It was given to the best authors who released books based on blogs. 

Smith Publicity

Smith Publicity began its journey decades back with only one book. After so many years, it was the first agency to incorporate self-publishing into its line of services. The house has helped market over 4000 books, and the number is counting. One of the major milestones of this publishing house was when an indie author sold 15000 copies of her self-published book through the channels of Smith Publicity. It has published books based on different genres like novels, classics, romance, historic fiction, etc. 

Black Chateau 

Black Chateau is another topmost publishing house that has emerged as one of the best inlines for self-publishers. An author can self-publish the creation and use the platform for publishing the external cover and interior manuscript arrangement. As the publisher house is a traditional one, the time taken for publishing the content is somewhat more than eBooks platforms. Some popular authors who have collaborated with Black Chateau are Deborah M. Pratt, Emiliano Forino Procacci, and Nora Novak.

Greenleaf Book Cover

Greenleaf Book Cover has achieved several milestones as the top self-publishing house in the US. The two major milestones it achieved were when it was listed in the Wall Street Journal and 45 New York Times. They help in self-publishing the books, but they also offer outstanding marketing and publishing for the books. The 29% Solution from Ivan R. Misner, Activate Your Brain from Scott G Halford and Do You Follow from J.C. Bidonde. 

AME – Author Marketing Experts 

Our last choice is AME or Author Marketing Experts. You can understand this publishing house’s expertise in self-publishing from the name itself. Authors can submit content based on a wide range of genres. Apart from self-publish, the house also offers marketing packages to help authors grow their network in the market. Jenny Hale is one of the top-rated authors on this platform whose two books, Coming Home for Christmas and Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses, bagged positions in Hallmark movies. 

Conclusion 

Self-publishing has a lot of benefits in this current era. Authors won’t have to rely on anyone to publish their created content. Besides having so many different publisher houses, it has become further possible for them to ensure that their creations and ideas can reach up to maximum readers. Although some publishing houses charge a nominal rate of charges from the authors, the higher royalty and ease of publishing outsmart the initial expenses one has to bear.