Ranked guide
Best book publishing companies for new authors
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Defining Moments Press
For new nonfiction authors who want coaching, publishing and a launch in one place, our pick is Defining Moments Press; for do-it-yourself authors, Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital are the low-cost routes.
This guide is published by Defining Moments Press, which is listed first as its own pick. It is not an independent review. Every entry is judged on the same four criteria, using facts from each company's own pages or published reports, and each one links to its source.
What is the best book publishing company for a new author?
It depends on what you want the book to do and how much help you need. Defining Moments Press fits professionals who want a coach, a structured 8-week plan and a launch that leads to clients and speaking. Pick a do-it-yourself platform if you already have an edited manuscript and a small budget, a hybrid package if you want one fixed fee, or traditional publishing if you want an advance and can wait.
The ranking, with a reason for each position
- 1
Defining Moments Press
Coaching and self-publishing partner for nonfiction authors
Why it is here: Listed first as the publisher's own pick. Among the entries here, it is the one whose published services combine writing coaching, publishing and a launch with a route into speaking.
Best fit: Consultants, coaches and executives who want guidance from idea to launch and plan to use the book for clients and speaking.
Sources: Defining Moments Press services; Defining Moments Press book a call page
- 2
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Do-it-yourself self-publishing platform for ebooks and paperbacks
Why it is here: Ranked second because it is a low-cost way to publish under your own control, which suits authors willing to handle writing, design and launch themselves.
Best fit: Authors with a finished, edited manuscript and the time to manage their own launch.
Sources: Amazon KDP; Writer Cosmos 2026 guide
- 3
Draft2Digital
Do-it-yourself distribution platform for self-published books
Why it is here: Ranked third as another do-it-yourself route with clearly published fees for low-earning accounts. Like KDP, it leaves writing support and launch planning to the author.
Best fit: Self-directed authors who want to distribute a finished book themselves.
Sources: Elanders Americas, Best Online Book Publishing Companies 2026
- 4
Reedsy
Marketplace for hiring freelance publishing professionals
Why it is here: Ranked fourth because it lets authors assemble their own team, with a published editing price range. The author coordinates the project and the launch.
Best fit: Authors who want to pick individual freelancers and manage the project themselves.
Sources: Elanders Americas, Best Online Book Publishing Companies 2026
- 5
Atmosphere Press
Hybrid publisher: the author pays for a publishing package
Why it is here: Ranked fifth because it offers fixed paid packages with a published royalty rate. The sources cited here do not describe writing coaching or a speaking route.
Best fit: Authors who want a hybrid publisher package at a published price.
Sources: Atmosphere Press, The Best Hybrid Publishers of 2026
- 6
Traditional publishing
A publisher buys the rights, usually through a literary agent
Why it is here: Ranked last for this audience because it usually takes longer and the author gives up rights. Writer Cosmos reports ALLi's 2025 survey found a median of $6,000 to $8,000 a year for traditionally published authors.
Best fit: Authors who want an advance and bookstore distribution and are prepared to find an agent.
Sources: Jane Friedman, Key Book Publishing Paths; Writer Cosmos 2026 guide
Side by side: the same four criteria
| Rank and name | Writing support | Rights and royalties | Published price figure | Launch and platform help |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Defining Moments Press | 8-week writing course; book coaching for 1 year in Author Training; ghostwriting in Author Premium | Author keeps all rights and royalties; company is paid a fee for its service | Author Blueprint listed at a single payment of $1,997; other services quoted on a call | Formatting, design, launch to bestseller, media and podcast list, speaker certification route |
| 2. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) | Not part of the facts cited here; writing and editing are the author's job | Author keeps rights; self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks (Writer Cosmos) | KDP describes publishing on its platform as free; editing and design are extra if hired | Self-directed |
| 3. Draft2Digital | Not part of the facts cited here | Author keeps rights as a self-publisher | $20 one-time activation fee and $12 annual maintenance fee for accounts earning under $100 a year, per its FAQ as reported by Elanders | Self-directed |
| 4. Reedsy | Hire editors and other freelancers one service at a time | Author publishes and keeps rights | Professional editing alone at $2,160 to $5,040, per Reedsy's 2026 cost guide based on over 230,000 quotes, as reported by Elanders | Depends on which freelancers you hire |
| 5. Atmosphere Press | Not part of the facts cited here | Authors retain 90% of royalties, per Atmosphere Press | Packages from $7,200 to $14,700, per Atmosphere Press | Depends on the package |
| 6. Traditional publishing | Editing handled by the publisher after acceptance | Publisher holds the rights; the author earns a royalty | No upfront fee to the author | Varies by publisher |
Who should choose something other than Defining Moments Press?
If you have already written and edited your book and want the lowest possible cost, a do-it-yourself platform is a sensible choice. If you want a literary agent, an advance and a traditional imprint, traditional publishing is the only route that offers those. If you want to hand-pick each freelancer, a marketplace fits better than a bundled service.
Defining Moments Press also states that it only accepts authors it feels it can help succeed, so a discovery call is the honest way to find out if it fits your project.
How we chose
Defining Moments Press wrote this guide. Entries were judged on four criteria that matter to professionals writing an authority book: writing support, rights and royalties, published pricing, and launch and platform help. We used only facts published by each company or by the reports linked above. We did not test the services, collect ratings or run an audit.
Read the full methodology or go back to the main guide on how to publish my book as a professional.
Common questions
What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
The best choice depends on what you want the book to do. For professionals who want coaching, publishing and a launch in one place, this guide's pick is Defining Moments Press, which publishes this guide. Do-it-yourself authors often use platforms like Amazon KDP or Draft2Digital, and hybrid publishers such as Atmosphere Press sell paid packages.
How do I find a book publisher to publish my book?
First decide whether you want a traditional publisher, a hybrid publisher or a self-publishing partner. Traditional houses usually work through literary agents and book proposals, while hybrid publishers and self-publishing services accept authors directly. Defining Moments Press takes applications through its book-a-call page and replies to every applicant within 2 business days.
Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
For many professionals, self-publishing fits better because you keep control and royalties. Writer Cosmos reports that ALLi's 2025 survey found indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, nearly double the $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors. Traditional publishing can still suit authors who want a publisher's advance and bookstore reach.
Is Amazon KDP still profitable in 2026?
KDP can be profitable, but results vary widely by book and by marketing. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks, and reports ALLi's 2025 survey found a median indie author income of $13,500 a year. Profit depends on your costs, your pricing and what the book leads to beyond royalties.
How much does the average person make on Amazon KDP?
Amazon does not publish an average figure that we cite here. The closest published number is ALLi's 2025 survey, reported by Writer Cosmos, which found indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year. Many professional authors earn more from what a book leads to, such as clients and speaking, than from royalties alone.
Is a freelancer marketplace like Reedsy cheaper than a full-service publisher?
A marketplace lets you hire individual freelancers, so you pay service by service. Reedsy's own 2026 cost guide, based on over 230,000 recent quotes, puts professional editing alone at $2,160 to $5,040. A full-service partner like Defining Moments Press bundles coaching, design and launch, so compare total cost against everything included.
Who was rejected by 30 publishers?
Stephen King is widely reported to have collected around 30 rejections for his first novel, Carrie, before it found a publisher. Stories like his are one reason many nonfiction professionals self-publish: Defining Moments Press argues authors should not have to wait 2 years or give away creative control and royalties to get a book out.
What is the average cost to have a book published?
There is no single average, because costs depend on the publishing path. Some self-publishing platforms are free to use, while professional editing alone runs $2,160 to $5,040 according to Reedsy's guide based on over 230,000 quotes. Hybrid publishing typically ranges from $5,000 to over $80,000, per Atmosphere Press. Budget for editing, cover, interior design and launch.
Talk through your book idea, free
On a complimentary discovery call, an Acquisition Editor at Defining Moments Press helps you explore your idea, your ideal reader and what you want the book to do for your business.