The sheer number of companies offering you services to assist with self publishing goals in today’s market can be overwhelming.
Sifting through the masses can be a daunting task and therefore it is of the utmost importance to conduct due diligence before making an investment.
Book Ready is one such company who offer a range of self publishing and hybrid publishing services.
This review aims to provide an unbiased evaluation of Book Ready’s offerings, exploring its background, services, and potential benefits for aspiring authors.
Book Ready’s role in this dynamic industry prompts a closer look to assess its features, advantages and any considerations authors should keep in mind.
By the end of the review, you should have all the information you need to make an informed decision and ultimately decide whether or not they are worthy of your consideration.
What is Book Ready?
There is in truth little information to be found online regarding the backstory of Book Ready, which is the first cause for concern.
Often companies will have interesting insights into the founders missions with some valuable information on who they are and why they set up the company, but Book Ready seemingly does not provide this.
The only thing the website does state is that the company is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA.
What does Book Ready do?
Book Ready self describe themselves as a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping writers achieve their dreams of becoming published authors.
Their mission is to provide high quality, affordable self publishing services that empower writers to take control of their publishing journey.
At their core, they believe in the power of self publishing and that by self publishing, writers are able to retain creative control, earn higher book royalties, and reach a wider audience.
They aim to make self publishing as easy and accessible as possible while still delivering a professional, polished final product.
Their team consists of experienced editors, designers, and publishing professionals dedicated to helping writers succeed.
They also touch on the challenges of self publishing and aim to guide their customers every step of the way.
Book Ready Services and Pricing
As per the Book Ready website, they offer the following list of services which we have reproduced below alongside the product description and price as found on Book Ready’s website.
- AudioBook Production – $1699
“Audiobooks help you reach a wider audience and bring your book to life. And a larger audience means more readers and royalties. With gripping storytelling from a professional voice actor, we work to get your audiobook as you envisioned.”
- Book Cover Design – $399
“Your book cover is the first thing potential readers will see, and it can make or break their decision to purchase your book. A poorly designed cover can turn off potential readers, while a well-designed cover captures their attention and entices them to learn more. Stand out from the crowd with our book cover designs.”
- Copy Editing – $249
“Copy editing is perfect for authors who want their writing to be polished. Our experienced editors understand the importance of clear, concise writing and use the Chicago Manual of Style to help you achieve your goals.”
- Print Typesetting and Layout – $699
“Typesetting includes font selection, spacing, margins, alignment, and other elements that contribute to your book’s overall look and feel. We use industry-standard typesetting software to ensure your document is optimized for print.”
- Book Illustrations – $129
“Every book illustration should be a masterpiece. Our experienced illustrators are passionate about storytelling through art and understand how to create illustrations that complement and enhance your writing. From humorous to fantasy and sci-fi, we have the skills and knowledge to bring your vision to life.”
- Social Media Content – $799
“Social media is perfect for authors looking to build or increase their online presence and connect with their readers. We’ll develop fresh, relevant, and effective social media content so busy authors can check it off their to-do lists and keep writing their next book.”
- Script Writing – $799
“Are you an author with a book that you’d like to see brought to life on the screen? Our script writing service can help you transform your book or manuscript into a captivating studio coverage or screenplay that studio executives and producers will love.”
- Book Marketing – $1499
“Are you an author looking to take your book marketing to the next level? Our book marketing service is just what you need to reach a wider audience and boost your sales. Our package includes a book trailer video, a recorded interview with a book expert, and social media content to promote your book to your target audience.”
- Self Publishing Packages – $999
“You’ve written your book. Great! Now, what’s the next step to getting published? Look no further than our professional and affordable book design services! In our complete book design package, you’ll get a book cover design for print and eBooks and interior page formatting for printed books.”
All of the above services have their own tab on the Book Ready website which expand on the above as well as timelines and an FAQ’s section.
Other Book Ready Reviews
Again, slightly worryingly, there are no reviews or examples of work they have done for customers on their website.
Usually companies, especially in such a competitive market, are desperate to separate themselves from the competition and will therefore showcase the best work they have completed to date but Book Ready has done no such thing.
An independent internet search also confusingly yields nothing in the way of reviews or comments from any customers.
Normally, there is a litany of users on third party websites discussing the ins and outs of a publishing company’s services to help provide impartial information for any potential customers, but again there is nothing to be found regarding Book Ready.
They do have two social media pages on both Facebook and Instagram but they only have a combined total of 7 followers which again is cause for concern.
It may be the case that they have not dedicated enough resources to building their social media presence or that they are such a new company that they are still establishing themselves in the marketplace, but there is simply not enough information provided to us to determine this.
What are the alternatives to Book Ready?
As touched upon earlier, you have at your disposal an almost infinite number of pathways to choose from when deciding upon which pathway to take when publishing your book.
Below is an overview of some of the options you have as opposed to using Book Ready.
Option 1 – Self-Publishing with Amazon KDP
- Advantages:
- Unparalleled control over your work.
- Global distribution through Amazon.
- Minimal upfront costs.
- How To:
- Sign up for an Amazon KDP account.
- Follow the platform’s guidelines for formatting and uploading your book. Check out our post on Amazon self-publishing for more information.
- Set pricing and distribution preferences.
Option 2 – Traditional Publishing
- Advantages:
- Support from established publishing houses.
- Access to professional resources.
- How To:
- Prepare a compelling query letter and book proposal.
- Research literary agents and submit queries.
- Navigate the traditional publishing process.
Option 3 – Freelance Services
- Advantages:
- Customized publishing support.
- Choose specific services as needed.
- How To:
- Hire freelance editors, cover designers, and marketing professionals.
- Utilize platforms like Reedsy or Upwork to find qualified professionals.
Option 4 – Hybrid Publishing Models
- Advantages:
- Retain more control over your work.
- Benefit from professional assistance.
- How To:
- Research and choose a hybrid publishing model that aligns with your goals.
- Review contracts and terms carefully.
How to decide which option is right for you?
Follow these three simple steps:
Step 1. Evaluate your publishing goals and aspirations.
Step 2. Assess your budget constraints and financial considerations.
Step 3. Clarify your creative vision and preferred level of involvement.
Book Ready Review – Closing Thoughts
To evaluate Book Ready then is in some ways both an easy and a difficult task.
The website is clearly professionally made and the clarity and detail with which they go into the services they offer is good.
But as mentioned earlier, there is simply no insight into who they are as a company or the success they have had with any customers.
This combined with their lack of online presence, any reviews or indeed anything to give potential customers that they are worth investing their money in to use their services, ultimately means it would be an incredibly risky decision to use their services.
This is especially true given how many other options exist for your publishing goals and therefore, choosing one of these over Book Ready is likely to be the best course of action.
If you’d like to discuss your publishing options with someone, book a call with our team below.
