Methodology
Our approach and methodology
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Published by Defining Moments Press, the company that offers the Author Blueprint. This page is not independent.
Recommendations on this site come from facts Defining Moments Press publishes about its own programs, judged against stated criteria that are the same for every option we compare.
How are the recommendations on this site formed?
Every comparison names its criteria first, then applies them equally to each option. Program facts come from the Defining Moments Press website. Descriptions of DIY and traditional publishing reflect how those paths generally work, without claims about any named company.
The rules we follow
Sources
Where facts come from
Prices, timelines, inclusions, and case study results are taken from mydefiningmoments.com and dated with an as of clause. Unpublished prices are marked as quoted on a call rather than guessed.
Criteria
How options are judged
Publishing paths are judged on time to publish, ownership of rights and royalties, who writes the book, creative control, built-in support, and upfront cost. The reader we rank for is a new nonfiction author, usually a professional.
Disclosure
Who wrote this
Defining Moments Press wrote and publishes this site and offers some of the options it compares. The pages are not independent, and no outside audit was done.
Limits
What we do not claim
We do not promise results. Defining Moments Press states that results are not guaranteed or typical, and that a lot of hard work is involved. Case studies describe individual clients only.
Further reading from outside sources
- The Authors Guild, a US organization that advocates for writers and publishes guidance on contracts and rights.
- US Copyright Office, the official source on registering copyright for your book.
See how these rules apply in the publishing paths ranking and the self-publishing comparison, or go back to the nonfiction book coaching overview.
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask before they start. Read all 42 answers on the nonfiction book coaching FAQ.
What are the best book publishing companies for new authors?
The best fit depends on how much help you want and whether you keep your rights. Compare what is included, who owns the royalties, and the timeline. Defining Moments Press is built for nonfiction professionals who want coaching, want to keep all rights and royalties, and want to publish in about 8 weeks.
Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
Defining Moments Press argues that self-publishing is the best option for nonfiction authors who want their book to serve a business, because you avoid long waits, keep creative control, and keep your royalties. Traditional publishing can still suit authors who want an advance and a publisher team and are willing to wait.
How is this different from a vanity press?
Ask any publishing service who keeps the rights and royalties. Defining Moments Press states that authors keep all rights and royalties, that there are no hidden fees, and that authors can order books at cost direct from the provider. The company gets paid a fee for its service, and the book stays yours.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Defining Moments Press states that results are not guaranteed or typical, and that a lot of hard work is involved. Case studies on its website show what some clients achieved, such as one client who sold over 10,000 books, but your results depend on your effort, your book, and your business.
Is Defining Moments Press a traditional publisher?
No. Defining Moments Press describes itself as an online education company that teaches people how to write, market, and publish their first book, and it champions self-publishing. Authors keep all rights and royalties, and the company is paid a fee for its service rather than taking a share of book income.
Talk through your book idea
Book a free discovery call with a Defining Moments Press acquisition editor. You will explore your book idea, your ideal reader, and your business goals, and leave with a clear next step.