Palmetto tree in front of Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina

Palmetto Publishing vs. Publish Pros

When it comes to self-publishing, choosing the right partner can make all the difference. If you’re weighing your options between Palmetto Publishing and Publish Pros, it’s important to understand what sets them apart.

Team

Palmetto Publishing operates from a large office in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, with a team of over 50 employees. While having a big staff allows them to handle a high volume of projects, it can also mean higher costs and less personal attention for each author. In contrast, Publish Pros keeps things small, utilizing a remote team approach that enables them to tap into the best talent from across the country. This allows them to offer lower fees while maintaining close connections with their authors. With Publish Pros, you’re more likely to get the one-on-one attention you need to navigate the self-publishing process.

Ownership

Palmetto Publishing is owned by Lezen Acquisitions LLC, a group based in New York City, following the 2018 acquisition of their parent company, Arcadia Publishing. While their offices are in South Carolina, their ownership is far removed from the local publishing scene. Publish Pros, on the other hand, is independently owned and operated right in Summerville, South Carolina. This independence allows Publish Pros to stay true to their mission of providing hands-on support without the influence of a large corporate parent.

Control

One major difference between the two companies is how they handle account ownership and royalties. Palmetto Publishing retains control over author accounts on platforms like Amazon (KDP) and IngramSpark, listing themselves as the publisher. While authors still receive their royalties, they’re dependent on Palmetto to process payments, which only happen quarterly.

Publish Pros takes a different approach. They set authors up as the publisher and give full control of accounts on KDP and IngramSpark to the author. This means authors can check their sales anytime and receive royalties directly from the platforms every month. By maintaining control of your book’s distribution and earnings, you stay in the driver’s seat.

ISBN Ownership

Palmetto Publishing provides authors with free ISBNs, saving you $125 upfront. However, the ISBNs they provide remain under their ownership. This ties you to Palmetto for the life of your book unless you republish it with a new ISBN. Publish Pros takes a more author-centric approach, guiding you on how to purchase your own ISBN through Bowker. While you pay for it yourself, this ensures that you maintain complete ownership and control over your book’s future.

Cost Efficiency

Although you might expect Palmetto’s larger size to result in lower costs due to economies of scale, this isn’t the case. In fact, Publish Pros typically offers lower rates for equivalent or even superior services. Authors who have received quotes from both companies consistently report that Publish Pros provides a better value for the money, without sacrificing quality or service.

Marketing Approach

Both Palmetto Publishing and Publish Pros offer marketing services to help authors promote their books. Palmetto relies on broad outreach like Newswire articles and ads in Publishers Weekly, which may or may not reach your target audience. In contrast, Publish Pros creates tailored media kits designed for outreach to podcasts, bookstores, libraries, and other venues that will be more relevant to your book. They also provide materials like retractable banners and branded table runners for in-person events, helping authors stand out at book fairs or signings.

Why Publish Pros Stands Out

Choosing a self-publishing partner is a big decision, and Publish Pros offers clear advantages over Palmetto Publishing. From lower costs to greater control over your book’s future, Publish Pros provides the personalized service and support that many authors are looking for. If you want to publish on your terms with a team that prioritizes your success, Publish Pros is the smart choice.