Comparison
BookBaby packages your book and hands you the files. AuthorOS publishes your book, builds your author business, and keeps working every month after launch.
BookBaby ends at delivery. We start there. Here is what a real publishing service looks like compared to a file-production package.
| Capability | BookBaby | AuthorOS |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Self-publishing packages ($1,299–$5,999) — files delivered to you | Full publishing service — manuscript to market, ongoing |
| Editing | Basic copy editing on higher tiers; developmental edit is an add-on | Four editorial passes included — developmental, line, copy, proofread |
| Cover design | Template-based cover design included | Custom cover design (up to unlimited revisions at Empire) |
| Distribution | Print and ebook distribution available | Global distribution — Amazon, Apple, Kobo, B&N, Google Play, Scribd, 240K+ libraries |
| Audiobook | Not offered | Professional narration included (Professional+); voice cloning at Empire |
| Author website | Not offered | Custom author website with lead capture, CRM, sequences, and maintenance |
| Marketing | Limited add-on packages at extra cost | Launch marketing, Amazon ads, social content, email sequences — all included |
| Screen adaptation | Not offered | VOLTA episodic production — TikTok, YouTube, ReelShort (Empire tier) |
| Post-launch support | No ongoing relationship after file delivery | AuthorOS intelligence monthly — performance, market data, ad optimization |
| Revenue retention | Author keeps royalties minus printing costs | Author keeps 85–97% of all revenue across every format and channel |
Common questions
BookBaby sells self-publishing packages ($1,299–$5,999) that produce your files and hand them back. AuthorOS from Smart Press Media is a full publishing service — we edit, design, format, narrate, distribute, build your website, run your marketing, and provide ongoing intelligence every month.
BookBaby offers limited marketing add-ons at extra cost, but no ongoing marketing support. AuthorOS includes launch marketing, Amazon advertising, social content, email sequences, and monthly performance optimization as part of the package.
BookBaby delivers finished files and the relationship essentially ends. With AuthorOS, publication is just the beginning — you get ongoing market intelligence, ad optimization, reader relationship management, and a voice-controlled dashboard that tells you exactly how your book is performing.
BookBaby does not produce audiobooks. AuthorOS includes professionally narrated audiobooks at the Professional tier and above, with voice cloning at Empire — distributed to Audible, Spotify, Apple, and 240,000+ libraries.
One manuscript. Full publishing service. Ongoing intelligence. Every format, every channel — handled.
Begin with AuthorOS