A Guide to Finding the Best Self-Publishing Company

A light pinkish red octopus illustration. The octopus uses a magnifying glass to look closer at a book laying open on the desk in front of it. It is surrounded by pens, pencils, books, and other office supplies.
Navigate the self-publishing landscape with confidence using our insider's guide. Learn how to compare self-publishing companies, understand the importance of services offered, costs, royalties, and read through success stories to find the perfect partner for your book's journey.

Navigating the world of self-publishing can seem overwhelming. With numerous companies each promising to turn your manuscript into a bestselling book, finding the right partner for your publishing journey is crucial. This comprehensive guide will help you compare services, costs, and success stories to find the best self-publishing company that aligns with your vision.

Understanding Your Publishing Needs

The first step in selecting a self-publishing company is to clearly define your goals and requirements

  • Are you looking to publish a niche genre book, or do you have a broad target audience?
  • Do you need extensive marketing support, or are you confident in your ability to promote your book? 

Understanding your needs will help you filter through the options and focus on companies that offer the services most relevant to you.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Self-Publishing Company

  • Services Offered: The range of services is a critical determinant. Look for companies that offer comprehensive packages, including editing, design, marketing, and distribution.
  • Cost and Royalties: Transparency in pricing and fair royalty rates are essential. Avoid companies with hidden fees or those that take a significant cut of your profits.
  • Ease of Use: The platform should be user-friendly, making the publishing process as smooth as possible.
  • Reputation and Reviews: A company’s track record can be gauged by author testimonials and online reviews. Look for success stories and feedback from other authors.
  • Customer Support: Excellent customer service is invaluable, especially for first-time authors navigating the publishing process.

Made Live: Revolutionizing Self-Publishing

In the competitive world of self-publishing, Made Live distinguishes itself with a forward-thinking approach designed to empower authors. What sets Made Live apart is not just the breadth of services it offers but how it integrates technology and community to redefine the self-publishing experience.

  • Integrated Publishing Solution: Made Live streamlines the self-publishing process by offering a comprehensive suite of services. From initial manuscript editing to final book design, Made Live supports authors at every step, ensuring a seamless journey from draft to publication.
  • Empowering Authors with Technology: Leveraging the latest in AI technology, Made Live simplifies complex aspects of publishing like editing and design. This approach makes professional publishing services more accessible to authors, ensuring high-quality outcomes without the traditionally high costs.
  • Building a Supportive Author Community: More than just a publishing platform, Made Live fosters a vibrant community of authors. Through workshops, webinars, and forums, authors can learn, share experiences, and grow together. This community aspect is central to Made Live’s philosophy, believing that a supportive network can significantly enhance an author’s success.
  • Preparing for the Future: While direct-to-reader sales are part of Made Live’s future roadmap, the current focus remains on providing authors with the tools and support to successfully navigate the publishing landscape. This vision includes preparing authors for emerging opportunities in book marketing and sales, ensuring they are well-positioned to take advantage of new distribution channels as they become available.

Innovating for Tomorrow’s Authors

Made Live is committed to continuous innovation, always looking for ways to enhance the author experience. By staying abreast of industry trends and listening to our community, Made Live aims to introduce new features and services that address the evolving needs of self-published authors.

Evaluating Success Stories

When considering a self-publishing company, examining the success stories of other authors can provide valuable insights. Success stories not only highlight the company’s ability to deliver results but also showcase the potential for your book’s success.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the best self-publishing company involves weighing various factors, including services, costs, and the company’s ability to meet your specific needs. Made Live’s unique approach to self-publishing offers a compelling option for authors seeking a comprehensive, supportive, and flexible publishing experience.

The journey to finding the best self-publishing company is deeply personal and varies from author to author. By prioritizing your needs, evaluating each company’s offerings, and considering platforms like Made Live, you’re well on your way to publishing success. 

As you consider your options, remember the importance of aligning with a company that understands your vision. Made Live’s approach to self-publishing is designed to put authors first, focusing on transparency, support, and innovation.

Discover more about Made Live’s unique offerings and start your journey today.

Share the Post:

Related Posts

An illustration of an open book sits in the foreground with visuals of how to plan and layout picture books in the background

Picture Book Layouts: Essential Formats and Structure for Publishing Success

Before you write a single word of your children’s picture book, understanding layout fundamentals can save you countless hours of revision and prevent costly formatting mistakes. This guide introduces you to essential picture book formats, page structure, and how different publishing paths impact your layout decisions.
A watercolor style illustration of a stack of papers with a pencil, moving over to a blue arrow pointing to children's book character dragons

Picture Book Writing: How to Think Visually Like an Illustrator

Most picture book writers don’t realize they’re only telling half the story. Learn how to develop “illustrator vision” with practical exercises that help you see beyond your words, leave room for visual storytelling, and create manuscripts that appeal to editors and engage young readers on multiple levels.
Watercolor background with the Made Live logo centered at the top. A green hardcover book with a large "X" over top of it and an illustration of a woman with her hand up, frowning as she rejects the book.

Why Editors Reject Picture Books: Is Your Main Character Too Passive?

Are you facing unexplained rejections for your picture book manuscript despite beautiful writing and a compelling concept? The problem might be the “silent manuscript killer” that most authors miss: lack of character agency. Discover why editors and agents immediately notice when your protagonist isn’t driving the story forward, and learn practical techniques to transform a passive main character into an active hero that young readers will connect with. This critical but often overlooked element could be the difference between rejection and request for your children’s book.

Search by Category

Publishing Tools for Visual Storytellers

Curated resources to guide you through every stage of creating and publishing illustrated books. From author-illustrator collaborations to layout design and marketing—download these free tools to simplify your publishing journey.

New resources are added regularly. Join our newsletter to be notified when we release new tools.

Planning & Writing

Resource Title

Brief description (PDF)

Illustration & Design

Resource Title

Brief description (template)

Publishing & Marketing

Resource Title

Brief description (worksheet)

Join Our Newsletter

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Join Our Newsletter

Stay ahead in your publishing journey—get exclusive insights, tips, and industry trends delivered straight to your inbox.

We respect your privacy and won’t share your email.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name