Ranked guide
Best book publishing options for new authors in 2026
Last updated: · Published by Defining Moments Press
For a new professional author with a nonfiction book, coached self-publishing ranks first, followed by hiring freelancers, pure DIY, and traditional publishing. This guide is published by Defining Moments Press, which is one of the entries; it is not an independent review.
What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
The best option depends on your budget, timeline, and how much help you want.
Defining Moments Press ranks four publishing paths for new authors on the same four criteria: upfront cost, rights and royalties, speed, and included support. Coached self-publishing leads for professionals who want a finished book on a schedule; DIY wins on price; traditional publishing wins when paying upfront is not possible.
The ranking
Four publishing paths, ranked for new authors
Number 1: Coached self-publishing with Defining Moments Press
Ranked first for new professional authors because it is the only entry here that combines a set timeline, included guidance, and full ownership of rights and royalties. It costs more than DIY, and Defining Moments Press only accepts authors it feels it can help.
- Upfront cost
- $1,997 one payment for the Author Blueprint; other packages quoted on a call
- Rights and royalties
- Author keeps all rights and royalties
- Speed
- 8 weeks or less, by program design
- Support
- Course, templates, email support; 1 year of coaching or ghostwriting in higher packages
Number 2: Self-publishing with hired freelancers
Ranked second because it delivers professional quality and full ownership, but the author coordinates every hire and the upfront cost range is higher than the listed Author Blueprint price.
- Upfront cost
- $2,940 to $5,660 (Reedsy)
- Rights and royalties
- Author keeps the rights; up to 70 percent ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos)
- Speed
- Set by the author and each freelancer
- Support
- Professional editing and design, but the author manages the project
Number 3: Pure DIY self-publishing
Ranked third: the lowest-cost way to keep your rights, and the right pick for confident, budget-limited authors, but a first-time author handles editing, design, and launch alone.
- Upfront cost
- $200 to $800 (Manuscript Report)
- Rights and royalties
- Author keeps the rights; up to 70 percent ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos)
- Speed
- Set entirely by the author
- Support
- None included
Number 4: Traditional publishing
Ranked fourth for this audience: it has the lowest upfront cost, but a new author must first be accepted, shares most royalties, and does not control the timeline. It is the best fit if paying upfront is not an option.
- Upfront cost
- $0 upfront (Manuscript Report); marketing can still be a substantial cost (Reedsy)
- Rights and royalties
- Publisher takes 85 to 90 percent of royalties (Manuscript Report)
- Speed
- Depends on agent and publisher acceptance
- Support
- Publisher handles production
Comparison table
Book publishing options compared on the same criteria
| Option | Upfront cost | Rights and royalties | Speed | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coached self-publishing with Defining Moments Press | $1,997 one payment for the Author Blueprint; other packages quoted on a call | Author keeps all rights and royalties | 8 weeks or less, by program design | Course, templates, email support; 1 year of coaching or ghostwriting in higher packages |
| Self-publishing with hired freelancers | $2,940 to $5,660 (Reedsy) | Author keeps the rights; up to 70 percent ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos) | Set by the author and each freelancer | Professional editing and design, but the author manages the project |
| Pure DIY self-publishing | $200 to $800 (Manuscript Report) | Author keeps the rights; up to 70 percent ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos) | Set entirely by the author | None included |
| Traditional publishing | $0 upfront (Manuscript Report); marketing can still be a substantial cost (Reedsy) | Publisher takes 85 to 90 percent of royalties (Manuscript Report) | Depends on agent and publisher acceptance | Publisher handles production |
How we chose
How we ranked these publishing options
Every entry was judged on four criteria: upfront cost, rights and royalties, speed to publication, and included support. We weighted speed and support more heavily because this guide is written for first-time professional authors. Cost figures come from Manuscript Report and Reedsy; royalty and income figures come from Writer Cosmos.
This ranking was written by Defining Moments Press, the business that publishes this site and appears as an entry. No independent audit was performed, and no entry paid for placement. Read the full methodology, or see self-publishing vs traditional publishing.
Published by Defining Moments Press.
Start from the main guide: how to publish my book with coached self-publishing.
FAQ
Common questions
- What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
- The best book publishing option for a new author depends on budget, timeline, and how much help you want. Our guide ranks four publishing paths on the same criteria: upfront cost, rights and royalties, speed, and hands-on support. The guide is published by Defining Moments Press, which appears as one of the entries.
- More answers in the FAQ, about What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
- Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
- Self-publishing is better for authors who want speed, control, and higher royalties, while traditional publishing suits authors who want no upfront cost and can wait. Writer Cosmos cites the ALLi 2025 survey: indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, versus a $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors.
- More answers in the FAQ, about Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
- Why pay for help instead of self-publishing alone?
- Paying for help buys structure, expertise, and time, which DIY publishing leaves entirely to you. DIY self-publishing can cost $200 to $800, per Manuscript Report, but you handle editing, design, and launch yourself. Defining Moments Press adds a step-by-step course, templates, coaching, and launch support depending on the package.
- More answers in the FAQ, about Why pay for help instead of self-publishing alone?
- Does Defining Moments Press accept every author?
- No. Defining Moments Press only accepts authors it feels it can help succeed in achieving their goals. Every applicant receives an email reply within 2 business days. If you do not see a response, the company suggests checking your spam or promotional folder, since replies sometimes land there.
- More answers in the FAQ, about Does Defining Moments Press accept every author?
- How much does Defining Moments Press charge?
- The Author Blueprint 8-week challenge is listed at one payment of $1,997 on the Defining Moments Press checkout page. Prices for its coaching, launch, ghostwriting, and funnel services are not published, so you get them on a free discovery call. The company says there are no hidden fees and that it is paid a fee for its service.
- More answers in the FAQ, about How much does Defining Moments Press charge?
- How do I find a book publisher to publish my book?
- To find a traditional publisher, most authors first query literary agents, who then pitch publishers, while some smaller presses accept direct submissions. Another route is applying to a service-based publisher. Defining Moments Press accepts applications through its book-a-call page and replies to every applicant by email within 2 business days.
- More answers in the FAQ, about How do I find a book publisher to publish my book?
Ready to publish your book?
Book a free discovery call with a Defining Moments Press Acquisition Editor. You will leave with a clear plan for writing, publishing, and marketing your book, whether or not you work together.