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ALLi helps you to choose the best self-publishing services

We get it. You want to put together a strong publishing team to produce and promote your book. Maybe you want to hire an editor or designer or even a fully  assisted publishing package, but it's confusing. Some individuals and companies deliver outstanding products and results, but some overcharge, over-promise and under-deliver. Some even knowingly exploit authors.

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) monitors the self-publishing industry and below are our ratings of some of the best and worst self-publishing services–and some that are in-between, listed in alphabetical order. There's also a convenient search box.

ALLi reserves our highest rating for our partner members, services that sign up to our Code of Standards and a vetting process, highlighted in green below, with a convenient link to take you to their websites. (And in our member database, log in needed) and Self-Publishing Services Directory.

Please note: All the ratings below reflect the opinion of the ALLi Watchdog Desk after careful research and consideration. The watchdog desk is headed up by John Doppler, supported by Sarah Begley, Ethan Ellenburg, Michael La Ronn, Philip Lynch and Orna Ross.
Michael
Partner Outreach Manager
John Doppler
Services Watchdog

Buy our book

You might like to pick up a copy of ALLi's guidebook, Choose The Best Self-Publishing Services: ALLi's Guide to Assembling Your Tools and Your Team.

Drawing on the experience of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)’s watchdog desk, this guide empowers you to choose the best self-publishing partners for your book and author business, from large players like Amazon KDP, Google and Apple Books down to your local friendly freelance. It also draws on ALLi’s Code of Standards for partner members to show you how to assess any service for yourself.

Everything you need to take control of the fast-changing world of self-publishing, produce a great book, and sell more copies around the world.

Download book

ebook free to ALLi members.

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Self publishing industry ratings

Key/Legend

Excellent (Partner Member)

Services that have been vetted and align with ALLi's Code of Standards.

Mixed

Services that are ethical but fall short of ALLi's Code of Standards in specific areas.

Watchdog Advisory

Services that fail to align with ALLi's Code of Standards, are the subject of consistent complaints and, in some cases, have been subject to legal action.

Recommended

Services that behave ethically and professionally, with pricing and value in line with industry norms.

Caution

Services that do not currently align with ALLi's Code of Standards.

Disclaimer

The assessments listed on this page are the opinion of the ALLi Watchdog Desk. Authorized representatives of the companies listed are welcome to contact us to request information on ALLi's assessment process, or to present additional information for our consideration.

Is there a service you're wondering about that's not on our list of best self-publishing services? Or been let down by a service and you want to alert other authors? Let us know so we can evaluate it.

Concerns

The following features are used to assess services. The issues listed for each concern are illustrative examples only, and may not apply to a specific service provider. When assessing any service yourself, these are the features to keep in mind.

  • Quality: substandard work; ineffective services, such as marketing that does not generate sales
  • Value: excessive fees for the type or quality of services rendered
  • Communication: does not keep the client informed at all stages of work; does not respond to customer inquiries
  • Transparency: does not disclose important information about the service; obfuscates fees; provides vague descriptions of services
  • Service: abusive or rude interactions with clients; does not meet deadlines; does not fulfill promises
  • Marketing: high-pressure sales; overhyped services; unsolicited email, phone calls, and other forms of spam
  • Practices: unprofessional or unethical conduct; violations of third-party terms of service
  • Legal: may have been the target of lawsuits or criminal investigations
  • Contract: rights grabs; vague language; termination fees or other contract terms that work to the author's disadvantage

Help with self publishing books

Advice

Search our blog and podcast for the knowledge you need right now. Up-to-date, best-practice advice across the seven processes of publishing.

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Books

ALLi publishes comprehensive text books, quick and easy guides, member handbooks and more. Browse our books.

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Ratings

Our watchdog desk rates the best (and worst) self-publishing services so you can avoid pitfalls and build the team and tools you need to publish well.

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Courses

The publications team is working on writing and publishing courses for indie authors based on ALLi guidebooks.

Coming Soon

Join the Alliance of Independent Authors

The Alliance of Independent Authors is a professional business membership organisation that advises, campaigns for, and empowers self-publishing authors. A non-profit, our mission is ethics and excellence in self-publishing and we provide authors with trusted advice, supportive guidance, and a range of resources, within a welcoming community.

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