Methodology

How this site forms its recommendations

Big Impact Books forms the recommendations on this site from its own published facts, general knowledge of publishing paths, and named outside sources.

This site is published by Big Impact Books, and its recommendations reflect that perspective. It is not an independent review, and no audit or independent study is claimed.

Last updated: November 2026Published by Big Impact Books

The main question

How does Big Impact Books decide what to recommend?

Big Impact Books recommends a publishing path by matching it to the author's goal. For CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners who want a book to build authority and support business growth, it recommends publishing first, then writing and book marketing. For authors with different goals, such as novelists or those seeking a traditional advance, the site says when another path fits better.

Comparisons use the same criteria for every option, such as author time, cost, gatekeeping, marketing help, and control. Big Impact Books may appear first because it publishes this site, but its position does not change the facts stated about any option.

Sources

Where the facts come from

Facts about Big Impact Books, its founder, and its process, as published by the business.
Market prices and statistics from named sources, including Writer Cosmos, Manuscript Report, and the International Publishers Association.
General guidance from author resources such as Jane Friedman and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

Limits

What this site will not do

Invent prices, ratings, reviews, or results.
Present a competitor's number as a Big Impact Books number.
Criticize other companies; competitors are described only with neutral facts.
Promise sales, rankings, or bestseller status.

Procedure

How a page on this site is written

Start with the reader’s question
Each page opens with the question a reader actually asks.
Answer directly
The first sentence gives the answer; facts follow.
Use the same criteria
Every option is judged on the same stated criteria.
Name the source
Outside numbers are attributed and linked.
Date the page
Each page shows when it was last updated.

See this method applied in the guide to choosing a reputable publishing company, or return to the Big Impact Books book publishing service overview.

Published by Big Impact Books.

FAQ

Common questions

What makes a self-publishing company reputable?: Reputable self-publishing companies publish clear pricing, give you a written contract that spells out rights and royalties, tell you who owns the ISBN, and never promise sales or bestseller status. They answer questions in writing without pressure. Industry watchdogs such as the Alliance of Independent Authors and Writer Beware publish guidance that helps authors check a company before signing.
Is a publishing service better than a traditional publisher?: For experts whose main goal is authority and business growth, a publishing service is often the better fit because the author keeps control of timing and positioning. For authors who want a traditional advance and bookstore distribution and can wait through agent queries, a traditional publisher can fit better. Big Impact Books is built for the first group.
Is Big Impact Books right for novelists?: Probably not. Big Impact Books is built around turning professional expertise into books that build authority and support business growth. Novelists and other fiction writers are usually better served by a literary agent, a traditional or genre publisher, or a self-publishing route designed for fiction readers.
What should I ask a book publishing service provider before signing?: Ask what is included and what costs extra, who owns the rights and the ISBN, how royalties are paid, who writes the manuscript and whose name goes on it, what marketing is included, and how long the process takes. Get every answer in writing. Any book publishing service provider worth hiring will answer each one plainly.
How many books are published every year?: According to the International Publishers Association, more than 2.2 million new titles were published in 2019, counting books registered with ISBNs. Big Impact Books has noted that the real yearly figure is likely closer to 4 million once books without ISBNs are included. That volume is why a clear position and a marketing plan matter for every new book.

Read all book publishing questions in the FAQ