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About BookBaby
From vinyl to publishing: A legacy of independence
Our story began in the 1940s with Disc Makers, a company dedicated to manufacturing records for independent artists. For decades, Disc Makers leveled the playing field for musicians, providing them with the tools they needed to compete with major labels.
This dedication to supporting independents led to a pivotal moment in 2008 when Disc Makers acquired CD Baby: a thriving platform revolutionizing the music industry. CD Baby gave independent musicians access to the same distribution channels as the big players, helping thousands of artists sell their music.
Inspired by the success of CD Baby, we saw an opportunity to bring this same philosophy to the world of publishing. In 2009, BookBaby was born using the same model for independent authors who faced similar challenges in a world dominated by traditional publishers.
Just like musicians who pour their hearts into their songs, authors nurture their books with care and passion.
Every book is someone's “baby.”
We treat each project with the respect it deserves.
Why publish with BookBaby?
100% Guaranteed
We stand by our work and we're serious about making you happy. You'll be satisfied with the quality of your books and the design of your book cover. If by chance you're not happy, we'll work with you until you're completely satisfied.
Premium quality
Our printing quality is comparable to (or better than) Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and others. It's all thanks to our state-of-the art facility, innovative technology, top-grade paper, and meticulous attention to detail.
Support for a lifetime
BookBaby supports your book for a lifetime. We'll ensure that you receive dedicated guidance on publishing, distribution, marketing, and selling your books. We're invested in your immediate and future success.
Dreams become reality
Choosing BookBaby means choosing the best self-publishing experience possible. We won't just create your book — we'll distribute it everywhere so others can read it, too. Everything you need to make your dream possible is right here.
What we do
Printing
Editing
Formatting
Promotion
Distribution
Sales
Ready to publish your book?
Frequently asked questions
What is self publishing?
Self publishing is the process by which independent authors publish their books without working with a traditional publishing house. Authors retain full creative control and ownership of their work, from writing and design to distribution and marketing.
Today, self publishing allows authors to bring their books directly to readers while maintaining control over pricing, publishing schedules, and long-term rights. BookBaby is a full-service self-publishing company that helps authors manage every step of the process, including editing, book cover design, formatting, printing, distribution, and marketing.
When you publish with BookBaby, you retain full rights to your work while gaining access to the expertise and services needed to publish your book professionally. BookBaby is not just a self publishing company; we’re your self publishing partner.
Do you offer Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing?
Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform has made publishing more accessible than ever for independent authors.
Through KDP, authors can publish books in both digital and print formats and reach readers through Amazon’s global marketplace.
BookBaby helps prepare your book for Amazon publishing by handling manuscript formatting, professional cover design, and the technical requirements needed to publish successfully on Amazon. Then we distribute your book to Amazon for you.
Our Publishing Specialists can also help you with technical details such as choosing keywords, categories, and book descriptions that improve discoverability so readers can find your book more easily.
How important is professional book cover design?
In a crowded reading marketplace, your book cover must capture attention and instantly communicate the essence of your story.
A professionally designed book cover helps readers understand your genre and creates a strong first impression before they even open the first page. BookBaby’s graphic designers work with our authors to create covers that reflect the story and appeal to the intended audience. From typography and color palettes to custom illustrations or photography, every design element is chosen to support your book’s message. Our designers have deep experience working with independent authors across many genres, ensuring your book stands out in a competitive marketplace. And perhaps best of all, we guarantee your satisfaction: If we can’t make you happy with your cover design, you pay nothing! You can work with your own designer, and we’ll still be happy to publish your book.
Should I get my book professionally edited?
Book editing involves much more than correcting grammar and typos. Professional editors help improve clarity, strengthen narrative flow, and refine your voice so your message resonates with readers.
Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, professional editing helps bring out the full potential of your manuscript. BookBaby offers several editing services, including copy editing for grammar and style and line editing to improve readability and sentence flow.
Our experienced editors work collaboratively with authors to preserve your voice while helping shape a polished manuscript ready for publication.
What is Print On Demand (POD)?
Print On Demand (POD) is a book distribution method where books are produced only when orders are placed.
Instead of ordering thousands of copies upfront, Print On Demand books are printed and shipped as they’re purchased. This reduces financial risk while keeping your book available to readers worldwide. BookBaby’s Print On Demand services allow authors to print books as they’re sold while maintaining professional print quality.
What services does a self publishing company provide?
A self publishing company typically offers services such as:
- manuscript editing
- book cover design
- formatting
- eBook conversion
- book printing
- distribution
- marketing assistance
We’re often asked, “How can I print my books?” Whether you need just book printing or the full self-publishing experience, BookBaby makes the process easy. We offer all the above services under one roof, and have the publishing expertise to make it easier for authors to manage the entire publishing process.
Can I sell my book through Amazon?
Yes. Most self publishing companies provide access to major online retailers such as Amazon.
Before we distribute your book to Amazon, BookBaby helps authors prepare their books for Amazon publishing, including formatting, cover design, and keyword optimization so books can be discovered by readers. Your BookBaby Publishing Specialist will be available to you for the life of your title.
Do I retain the rights to my book?
Yes. With self publishing, authors retain full rights and control over their work.
You decide how your book is distributed, priced, and promoted.
How much does it cost to self publish a book?
The cost of publishing a book can vary greatly, from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on how much of the work you want to do yourself, and what services you require (such as book formatting, cover design, editing, eBooks, and more).
At BookBaby, you can print novels for as low as $4.95 a copy, hardcover children’s books for as low as $8.75 each, and cookbooks for as low as $11.75 per book. Our publishing services are designed to be affordable for independent authors while helping you produce a professional-quality book.
Can I print books without ordering large quantities?
Yes. Print On Demand allows books to be printed as they are ordered. BookBaby recommends starting with a small print run (anywhere between 25 and 100 copies), to hand out to friends and family, send to business associates, and for book signings at your local library or bookstore.
Is self publishing suitable for all genres?
Yes, self publishing is versatile and caters to various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more.
At BookBaby, we’re equipped to print books for any genre imaginable. Our books are printed in-house at our state-of-the-art, Philadelphia-based facility. From captivating picture books for children to page-turning romance novels, our extensive range of trim sizes and binding options ensures that we can work with authors of absolutely any genre.
How does BookBaby empower authors through self publishing?
Self publishing has completely changed the way authors share their stories with the world. Gone are the days of having to deal with traditional publishing houses where only a few selected voices made it into print. Today, self-publishing gives authors the ability to maintain full creative control, from story development to cover design and distribution. The future is now, and there’s no better time to give your work the platform it deserves.
At BookBaby, we believe every author’s journey is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our team offers hands-on support and resources tailored to your unique needs. Plus, as the author, you retain full rights to your work, which means you control its future profit potential. It’s time to turn your hard work into a polished, published piece you can be proud of, and we’re here by your side to make that dream a reality. Our services and solutions go well beyond editing and self-publishing to include technical details like ISBN registration, manuscript formatting, marketing strategy, and much more.
Make your story market-ready for any genre. With BookBaby, we’re not just a self-publishing company, we’re your self-publishing partner.
What are the advantages of Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)?
Here at BookBaby, we help authors effortlessly navigate every detail of the KDP publishing process. From formatting your manuscript to creating an eye-catching cover that perfectly captures your vision, our team of knowledgeable self-publishing experts ensures your book exceeds Amazon’s requirements and readers’ expectations alike. We’ll also help you set up relevant keywords, categories, and book descriptions as part of your Amazon author page, making sure your work is primed for maximum discovery across a vast network.
What makes a good book cover?
In the crowded, competitive reading space, your book cover needs to do so much more than just capture attention. It needs to captivate the reader while setting the stage for the story within. A professionally designed book cover doesn’t just look good — it communicates the essence of your story at a glance. Your book could be a heartstopping thriller, an inspirational memoir, or an indulgent romance, and its cover needs to communicate that.
Our team of skilled graphic designers is ready to work alongside you to create the best possible visual representation of your book while bringing your vision to life. Through careful consideration of choices ranging from color palette to typography, to custom illustrations or photos, every element is hand-picked to reflect your unique story while piquing the curiosity of your audience. At BookBaby, our highly trained designers work across all genres.
Make sure your finished book cover is designed to stand out on any shelf — digital or physical. With professional book cover design by BookBaby, your book will make an impression like no other. With our helpful, creative team by your side, you’ll be able to count on a cover that speaks volumes before your reader even opens the first page.
Why do authors need editing?
Book editing is about so much more than just correcting typos and grammar. It’s about sharpening your voice, enhancing the clarity of your story, and shaping the narrative flow so that your message shines through and truly resonates with your readers. Whether you’re writing the next great novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, professional editing brings out your book’s full potential.
With BookBaby, you get so much more than just a dedicated team of editors. Our services are designed to accommodate your needs — from copy editing for style and grammar to line editing for sentence flow and improved readability. Each step of the process is handled by experts who understand the nuances and richness of storytelling and language, helping you to create a final manuscript that is polished and perfected.
At the center of the process is our unique, collaborative approach. We aim to keep your voice true and your story your own while still providing feedback that is both constructive and encouraging. In short, we elevate your writing and your narrative to the standards your readers expect and deserve. We’re here to make your words resonate while giving you the confidence that your book is ready to captivate its audience, from the first chapter to the last.
Self-publishing has completely changed the way authors share their stories with the world. Gone are the days of having to deal with traditional publishing houses where only a few selected voices made it into print. Today, self-publishing gives authors the ability to maintain full creative control, from story development to cover design and distribution. The future is now, and there's no better time to give your work the platform it deserves.
At BookBaby, we believe every author's journey is unique, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Our team offers hands-on support and resources tailored to your unique needs. Plus, as the author, you retain full rights to your work, which means you control its future profit potential. It's time to turn your hard work into a polished, published piece you can be proud of, and we're here by your side to make that dream a reality.
Our services and solutions go well beyond editing and self-publishing to include technical details like ISBN registration, manuscript formatting, marketing strategy, and much more. Make your story market-ready for any genre. With BookBaby, we're not just a self-publishing company, we're your self-publishing partner.
Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has made publishing more accessible than ever to a wide range of voices and perspectives. If you're looking to self-publish your book and reach a worldwide audience, Amazon Publishing is a powerful channel to help you realize that goal. Through KDP, you can publish your book in both digital and print formats. Plus, with the global reach of Amazon's vast marketplace, you can help readers around the world discover your work in just a few clicks.
Here at BookBaby, we help authors effortlessly navigate every detail of the KDP publishing process. From formatting your manuscript to creating an eye-catching cover that perfectly captures your vision, our team of knowledgeable self-publishing experts ensures your book exceeds Amazon's requirements and readers' expectations alike. We'll also help you set up relevant keywords, categories, and book descriptions as part of your Amazon author page, making sure your work is primed for maximum discovery across a vast network.
Whether you're new to the world of self-publishing or you're looking to broaden your reach on Amazon KDP, BookBaby gives you the support and expertise you need to make the KDP process easier than ever, so you can concentrate on what you do best — write!
In the crowded, competitive reading space, your book cover needs to do so much more than just capture attention. It needs to captivate the reader while setting the stage for the story within. A professionally designed book cover doesn't just look good — it communicates the essence of your story at a glance. Your book could be a heartstopping thriller, an inspirational memoir, or an indulgent romance, and its cover needs to communicate that.
Our team of skilled graphic designers is ready to work alongside you to create the best possible visual representation of your book while bringing your vision to life. Through careful consideration of choices ranging from color palette to typography, to custom illustrations or photos, every element is hand-picked to reflect your unique story while piquing the curiosity of your audience. At BookBaby, our highly trained designers work across all genres.
Make sure your finished book cover is designed to stand out on any shelf — digital or physical. With professional book cover design by BookBaby, your book will make an impression like no other. With our helpful, creative team by your side, you'll be able to count on a cover that speaks volumes before your reader even opens the first page.
Book editing is about so much more than just correcting typos and grammar. It's about sharpening your voice, enhancing the clarity of your story, and shaping the narrative flow so that your message shines through and truly resonates with your readers. Whether you're writing the next great novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, professional editing brings out your book's full potential.
With BookBaby, you get so much more than just a dedicated team of editors. Our services are designed to accommodate your needs — from copy editing for style and grammar to line editing for sentence flow and improved readability. Each step of the process is handled by experts who understand the nuances and richness of storytelling and language, helping you to create a final manuscript that is polished and perfected.
At the center of the process is our unique, collaborative approach. We aim to keep your voice true and your story your own while still providing feedback that is both constructive and encouraging. In short, we elevate your writing and your narrative to the standards your readers expect and deserve. We're here to make your words resonate while giving you the confidence that your book is ready to captivate its audience, from the first chapter to the last.
