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, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is independently owned and operated by Jack and Richard Joseph. Publish Pros is also independently owned and operated by Rich Carnahan, with offices in North Charleston, South Carolina.
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 Kindle Direct Publishing (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 desired target audience. 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?
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 may be the smart choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy my own ISBN for self-publishing?
Many self-publishing experts recommend purchasing your own ISBN through Bowker if you want full ownership and long-term control of your book. Owning your ISBN allows you to change printers or publishing partners later without losing publishing identity.
Can you switch self-publishing companies later?
Yes, but the process is easier when you own your ISBN and publishing accounts. If another company controls your ISBN or publishing setup, changing companies may require republishing the book with new identifiers.
How often are royalties paid through self-publishing companies?
Royalty schedules vary by company. With author-owned Amazon KDP and IngramSpark accounts, royalties are typically paid monthly directly from the platforms. Some assisted self-publishing companies collect royalties first and distribute them quarterly.
Can I access my own Amazon KDP account with Publish Pros?
Yes. Publish Pros creates author-owned publishing accounts and gives authors full access to their Amazon KDP and IngramSpark dashboards so they can monitor sales, royalties, and reporting anytime.
Who owns the ISBN when publishing with Palmetto Publishing?
Palmetto Publishing provides free ISBNs, but those ISBNs remain under their ownership. This means Palmetto Publishing is listed as the publisher connected to the ISBN.
What is the difference between Palmetto Publishing and Publish Pros?
Palmetto Publishing and Publish Pros both help authors self-publish their books, but their business models are very different. Publish Pros focuses on author ownership, direct royalty payments, and personalized support, while Palmetto Publishing manages publishing accounts and distributes royalties to authors on a quarterly basis.
EDITOR’S NOTE (Updated Oct. 31, 2025): A previous version of this article stated that Palmetto Publishing was owned by Lezen. That statement was based on a 2018 Charleston Regional Business Journal report indicating that Arcadia Publishing had acquired Palmetto Publishing prior to Arcadia’s acquisition by Lezen.
