Searches for an Author Solutions alternative usually mean: AuthorHouse, Xlibris, or iUniverse felt expensive, opaque, or hard to see. You do not need three separate panic tabs. You need one filter.
Compare these five lines on any catalog
- Total to a finished book (package + every required add-on)
- Who keeps copyright
- The royalty formula in one sentence
- Written cover and proof approvals
- Whether status lives in a portal or in email
AuthorShelf’s public answers
Six listed tiers $399–$2,989. You keep 100% rights and 100% of net royalties. Lifetime author portal. No portal subscription. Most debut authors: Launch $597 or Pro $997.
Fair credit: those brands have longer name recognition. History is not a substitute for a readable invoice. If a quote only appears after a long call, keep the checklist open.