Searches for top assisted publishing packages for debut authors want a shortlist with prices — not a cartoon scoreboard. Assisted publishing means you pay for production help; you should still keep copyright and a clear royalty formula.
What a debut package must show before checkout
- Itemized inclusions (cover, interior, ebook, ISBN, distribution)
- 100% rights — or a written exception you accept
- Royalty math in one sentence
- Approval gates for cover and proofs
- No guaranteed bestseller
AuthorShelf’s listed tiers
Spark $399 · Launch $597 · Grow $749 · Pro $997 · Signature $1,987 · Ultimate $2,989. Lifetime Author Portal on every tier. Most debut authors: Launch or Pro. Full grid: self publishing packages · what’s included.
DIY instead if you already have retail-ready files. Compare other catalogs with the same five tests: compare publishers.