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How to Choose aSelf-Publishing Company You Can Trust
The right company protects your rights, royalties, and budget. The wrong one can cost thousands and leave your book stuck. Use this 12-point checklist, the questions to ask, and our free scorecard to compare companies side by side.
Trustpilot
Trusted Authors
Henry
Berg optimized our Amazon listing keywords and description, and within weeks our organic rankings and sales velocity jumped dramatically.
Crispin Oakley
They guided me through every step of the publishing process, ensuring my book was professionally edited, designed, and marketed. Their team was responsive, knowledgeable, and truly cared about my success. Highly recommended.
Get Your Free Publishing Quote in 24 Hours
The Short Answer
Choose a self-publishing company that lets you keep 100% of your rights and royalties, registers ISBNs in your name, gives a written itemized quote, shows verifiable published books in your genre, and has a clean independent reputation. Compare at least three companies against the same checklist, and never pay before reading the full contract.
Non-negotiable
Your rights, royalties & ISBNs
Always request
Itemized quote + full contract
Verify on
Writer Beware, ALLi, Amazon
Typical pro budget
About $4,000–$9,000
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING
Not Every “Publishing Company” Works the Same Way
Many companies use the word “publishing” for very different business models. Identify which one you're talking to first.
| Model | How it makes money | Your rights & ISBNs | Your royalties | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with freelancers | You pay each freelancer | Yours | 100% | Coordinating everything yourself |
| Self-publishing services company | Fixed fees for services | Should be yours | Should be 100% | Hidden upsells, unclear ISBN ownership |
| Hybrid publisher | Author fees plus share of sales | Publisher's imprint and ISBNs | Shared | Companies that accept every manuscript |
| Vanity press | Author fees and upsells | Often the company's | Often reduced | Pressure sales, rights grabs |
THE CHECKLIST
12 Things to Check Before You Sign
Each point includes the exact question to ask the company.
- 1
You keep 100% of your copyright
You should never transfer ownership of your text, cover art, or illustrations.
Ask:"Do I keep full copyright to the text and all artwork you create?" - 2
You keep 100% of your royalties
If you pay for services, the company shouldn't also take a share of sales.
Ask:"Do you take any percentage of my royalties, now or later?" - 3
ISBNs are registered in your name
Whoever owns the ISBN is the publisher of record.
Ask:"Whose name will appear as publisher on the ISBN record?" - 4
You control your sales accounts
Ideally your book sits in your own KDP and IngramSpark accounts, so royalties go straight to you.
Ask:"Will the book be in my KDP and IngramSpark accounts or yours?" - 5
Itemized, fixed written quote
Every service, revision round, and fee listed upfront.
Ask:"Can you itemize the quote and list everything not included?" - 6
Verifiable portfolio in your genre
Real books you can find on Amazon, not just cover mockups.
Ask:"Can you share three Amazon links to books like mine you published?" - 7
Named editors and designers
You should know who is working on your book and their experience.
Ask:"Who exactly will edit and design my book, and can I see their work?" - 8
Sample edit before you commit
A short sample shows editing quality better than any sales pitch.
Ask:"Can you provide a sample edit of a few pages?" - 9
Clean independent reputation
Check Writer Beware, ALLi watchdog resources, Trustpilot, and author forums.
Ask yourself:"What do authors say about them on sites they don't control?" - 10
You receive all final files
Print-ready PDF, ebook file, and cover files, so you can republish anywhere.
Ask:"Will I receive the final print, ebook, and source cover files?" - 11
Fair exit terms
You should be able to leave without losing your book.
Ask:"What happens if I want to end the contract after publication?" - 12
Realistic marketing promises
No one can guarantee sales or bestseller status.
Ask:"What results have similar authors actually seen, and how are they measured?"
Our Process
How to Choose, Step by Step
Define what you need
List the services you actually need, such as editing, cover design, formatting, distribution and marketing, so you can compare quotes line by line.
Shortlist three companies
Pick three companies whose published books in your genre you can verify on Amazon.
Check independent reputation
Search each company on Writer Beware, the Alliance of Independent Authors watchdog resources, Trustpilot, and author forums.
Request itemized quotes and sample contracts
Ask for a written, itemized quote and the full contract before paying anything.
Verify rights, royalties and ISBNs
Confirm in writing that you keep 100% of copyright and royalties and that ISBNs are registered in your name.
Score and compare
Score each company against the same checklist and choose the one with the clearest terms, not the lowest headline price.
READ THE FINE PRINT
Contract Clauses to Check
These clauses decide who controls your book after you pay.
| Clause | What good looks like | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Grant of rights | No rights transferred, or a limited license for production only | "Exclusive worldwide rights" for years |
| Royalties | Author receives 100% of net royalties directly | Company collects sales and pays you a percentage |
| ISBN & imprint | Registered to you or your imprint | Registered to the company |
| Artwork ownership | Work-for-hire; you own cover and illustrations | Company keeps artwork rights |
| Revisions | Number of revision rounds stated | "Additional revisions billed separately" with no rate |
| Term & termination | Ends on delivery, or cancel with notice | Long lock-in or termination fees |
| Files | Final print, ebook and cover files delivered to you | Files withheld or charged extra |
| Refunds | Clear milestone-based refund policy | Non-refundable full payment upfront |
WALK AWAY IF...
Red Flags When Choosing a Self-Publishing Company
Bestseller guarantees
No legitimate company can guarantee sales, list placement, or awards.
Pressure to pay today
"Discount ends tonight" tactics leave no time to read the contract.
Vague or bundled pricing
One big number with no breakdown makes comparison impossible.
No verifiable books
Mockups and stock photos instead of real Amazon listings.
Reviews only on their own site
Testimonials you can't verify elsewhere may not be genuine.
Free Tool
Self-Publishing Company Scorecard
Tick each point the company meets in writing. Use one scorecard per company.
Our Answers
How Berg Publisher Measures Up
We'd rather you choose us after checking. Here is where we stand on the critical points:
- You keep 100% of your copyright and royalties
- ISBNs registered in your name
- Fixed, itemized written quote before work starts
- NDA from day one
- No sales or bestseller guarantees
See our published books, Trustpilot reviews, and cost guide.
View our work
FAQ
References
Independent Resources for Checking Companies
- Writer Beware: long-running watchdog that tracks publishing scams and questionable companies(opens in a new tab)
- Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi): nonprofit association for self-publishing authors with watchdog resources on service providers(opens in a new tab)
- IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria: standards for evaluating companies that call themselves hybrid publishers(opens in a new tab)
Put Us to the Test
Request our itemized quote and standard contract, then score us with the checklist above. No payment, no pressure.
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- ISBN and Copyright Registration
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- Self-Publishing for Tech Founders
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- Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
- Book Publishing Timeline & Process
- Book Publishing Cost USA
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