Comparison
Reedsy connects you with freelance editors and designers. You hire them, manage them, and pay each one separately. AuthorOS publishes your book — one relationship, one price, complete pipeline.
Reedsy built a marketplace. We built a publishing company. Here is what that difference means for your book, your budget, and your time.
| Capability | Reedsy | AuthorOS |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Freelancer marketplace — you hire and manage each vendor | Full-service publisher — one team, one pipeline |
| Editing | Hire an editor ($500–$5,000+ depending on depth) | Four editorial passes included — developmental, line, copy, proofread |
| Cover design | Hire a designer ($300–$2,500+) | Professional cover design included (up to unlimited revisions at Empire) |
| Formatting | Hire a formatter ($150–$500) | Ebook, paperback, large print, and hardcover formatting included |
| Audiobook | Hire a narrator separately ($1,500–$5,000+) | Professional narration included (Professional+); voice cloning at Empire |
| Distribution | Not included — you handle distribution yourself | Global distribution — Amazon, Apple, Kobo, B&N, Google Play, Scribd, 240K+ libraries |
| Marketing | Hire a marketer separately ($1,000–$3,500+) | Launch marketing, ad management, social content, email sequences included |
| Author website | Not offered | Custom author website with lead capture, CRM, and maintenance |
| Vendor coordination | You manage 5–6 separate freelancers and handoffs | Three approval gates — the engine handles everything else |
| Post-launch support | No ongoing relationship | AuthorOS intelligence monthly — performance, market data, optimization |
Common questions
Reedsy is a freelancer marketplace where you hire and manage individual editors, designers, and marketers yourself. AuthorOS from Smart Press Media is a full-service publishing company — one relationship, one price, complete pipeline from manuscript to market.
Yes. Hiring an editor, cover designer, formatter, audiobook narrator, and marketer separately on Reedsy typically costs $8,000–$20,000+. AuthorOS packages start at $2,997 and include everything — editing, design, formatting, distribution, website, and marketing.
No. With Reedsy you coordinate 5–6 separate vendors, manage timelines, and handle handoffs. With AuthorOS you approve at three gates. The production engine handles everything else.
Reedsy can connect you with audiobook narrators and marketers as separate freelancer hires at additional cost. AuthorOS includes professionally narrated audiobooks (Professional tier and above) and full marketing activation as part of the package — no additional vendors required.
One manuscript. One relationship. Every format, every channel — handled.
Begin with AuthorOS