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Blurb vs BookBaby
Last updated: July 09, 2023
Blurb and BookBaby are both self-publishing platforms that offer services for authors, but they have distinct differences in terms of their focus, services, and pricing.
1. Focus and Target Audience: Blurb is known for its specialization in book printing and self-publishing of physical books. It provides tools and services specifically tailored for authors looking to create and distribute printed books. Blurb offers a wide range of options for book customization, including different sizes, paper types, and binding options. It also provides design templates and layout tools to assist authors in creating professional-looking books. On the other hand, BookBaby offers a more comprehensive range of self-publishing services, including eBook conversion, cover design, editing, and distribution to major online retailers. BookBaby caters to authors looking to publish both digital and print books, providing a broader range of services beyond printing.
2. Services and Pricing: Blurb offers a variety of services focused on the printing and production of physical books. It provides options for authors to create and order printed copies of their books, with different pricing tiers based on book specifications. Blurb also offers distribution services, allowing authors to make their books available for purchase through various online retailers. BookBaby, on the other hand, provides a more extensive range of self-publishing services. It offers customizable publishing packages and a la carte services, including eBook conversion, cover design, editing, and distribution to major online retailers. BookBaby's pricing varies depending on the level of service required, with authors retaining a percentage of the royalties earned from book sales.
3. Distribution Reach: Blurb offers distribution options for printed books, allowing authors to make their books available for purchase through various online retailers, including the Blurb Bookstore. Blurb also provides access to distribution channels such as Amazon and Ingram for wider availability. BookBaby, on the other hand, provides distribution services for both digital and print books. It offers distribution to major online retailers, including Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, and more. BookBaby also provides distribution to libraries and academic institutions. The distribution reach of BookBaby is broader compared to Blurb, as it covers both digital and print formats and includes a wide range of retailers and channels.
1. Focus and Target Audience: Blurb is known for its specialization in book printing and self-publishing of physical books. It provides tools and services specifically tailored for authors looking to create and distribute printed books. Blurb offers a wide range of options for book customization, including different sizes, paper types, and binding options. It also provides design templates and layout tools to assist authors in creating professional-looking books. On the other hand, BookBaby offers a more comprehensive range of self-publishing services, including eBook conversion, cover design, editing, and distribution to major online retailers. BookBaby caters to authors looking to publish both digital and print books, providing a broader range of services beyond printing.
2. Services and Pricing: Blurb offers a variety of services focused on the printing and production of physical books. It provides options for authors to create and order printed copies of their books, with different pricing tiers based on book specifications. Blurb also offers distribution services, allowing authors to make their books available for purchase through various online retailers. BookBaby, on the other hand, provides a more extensive range of self-publishing services. It offers customizable publishing packages and a la carte services, including eBook conversion, cover design, editing, and distribution to major online retailers. BookBaby's pricing varies depending on the level of service required, with authors retaining a percentage of the royalties earned from book sales.
3. Distribution Reach: Blurb offers distribution options for printed books, allowing authors to make their books available for purchase through various online retailers, including the Blurb Bookstore. Blurb also provides access to distribution channels such as Amazon and Ingram for wider availability. BookBaby, on the other hand, provides distribution services for both digital and print books. It offers distribution to major online retailers, including Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, and more. BookBaby also provides distribution to libraries and academic institutions. The distribution reach of BookBaby is broader compared to Blurb, as it covers both digital and print formats and includes a wide range of retailers and channels.
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Create and publish bookstore-quality books with free software for PC or Mac. Then sell your book in the Blurb bookstore. You can make a fully customizable book with our amazing free tool, BookSmart. If you’re a photographer, you can use Adobe Lightroom with Blurb’s book module built right in. For designers, we have a plugin for Adobe InDesign. You can even make an instant book online in an hour. Tools for any kind of beautiful, high-quality book you want to make. All free.
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BookBaby makes self-publishing easy: from cover design, book printing, eBook conversions, distribution, website creation, and more. BookBaby offers you the largest eBook distribution network, including Amazon, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and many other popular retailers in over 170 countries around the globe. It’s now possible for you to reach a worldwide audience, keep 100% of your book’s net earnings, retain the rights to your work, and maintain total creative control. BookBaby provides everything you need to professionally publish and distribute your book, without ever having to sell-out to ‘big publishing.’
Blurb vs BookBaby in our news:
2016. BookBaby launched e-Book editing service
BookBaby has recently introduced a new editing service specifically designed for self-published authors. With this service, they offer copy editing for a 60,000-word eBook at a price below $1,200, which is a remarkable 50% lower compared to other premium options available in the market. For debut or first-time authors, finding a reliable e-book editor can be a challenging task. Many individuals often resort to searching online for affordable options, but may end up encountering companies like Author Solutions, who employ aggressive up-selling tactics. According to BookBaby President Steven Spatz, "Editing is an essential requirement for every book, and we understand this reality. Our aim was to deliver a cost-effective solution that meets the needs of self-publishing authors, without compromising on the quality they expect and deserve."
2014. Blurb adds Amazon integration
Blurb, the self-publishing platform for ebooks, has unveiled an enhanced book design and distribution service, now featuring direct distribution through Amazon, alongside a new precision design tool called Blurb BookWright. Notably, authors can obtain ISBN numbers for free using Blurb BookWright and Adobe InDesign creation tools, as well as through Amazon distribution. With BookWright, authors can effortlessly design and publish both print and ebooks using a single file. The platform offers a comprehensive ecosystem for creating and distributing beautifully printed books and ebooks, catering to individuals who wish to design, author, and publish their own works.
2014. BookBaby allows authors to sell books directly to users
BookBaby, a self-publishing provider, is introducing a new service called BookShop, enabling authors to sell their eBooks directly to readers through their own customized BookShop e-commerce pages. This initiative offers authors the opportunity to earn a higher percentage per sale and receive faster payment compared to other platforms. BookBaby authors can sell both ePub and .mobi versions of their eBooks directly to readers, earning 85% of the gross selling price. Additionally, authors can provide links to their eBooks on popular retail sites like iBooks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. Unlike other distributors and retailers, BookBaby ensures prompt payment to authors within one week of each sale, eliminating lengthy waiting periods for their earnings. BookShop is available free of charge to all BookBaby authors, including those taking advantage of the company's new FREE eBook publishing package. Authors can easily upload ePub files directly to BookBaby for global distribution without any upfront costs.