Your weekly time
How many hours the path asks of the author each week.
Methodology
How this guide is written
Last updated November 2, 2026 · Published by Big Impact Books
How are the recommendations on this site formed?
Recommendations on this site are formed by Big Impact Books, which publishes it, by judging every publishing option on the same five criteria from the point of view of a busy senior leader. No audit, survey, or independent testing was conducted.
The goal is to help executives make a well-informed choice, including when a different path fits them better than the one Big Impact Books offers.
The five criteria
Whose voice
Whether the book is built from the author's own words or written by someone else.
Production
Who handles editing, design, and publishing tasks.
Promotion
Whether marketing and publicity are part of the plan.
Gatekeeping
Whether someone else must select the book before it can be published.
Where the facts come from
Facts about Big Impact Books come from the business and its main website. Client quotes are reproduced from that website. Industry statistics are quoted as published with a link to the source, including Publishers Weekly and Berrett-Koehler, and are never presented as Big Impact Books figures.
Competitors and other paths are described only with neutral, general facts. The site does not name companies to avoid; it lists warning signs instead.
Disclosure
This site is published by Big Impact Books, which offers the done-for-you publishing path ranked first for busy CEOs in the comparison. It is not an independent review. Pages are updated when facts change, and each shows its last updated date.
New here? Start with the full guide to book publishing for CEOs.
Questions about choosing well
How do I choose the right book publishing service?
Choose by fit, not price alone. Compare what is included, how much of your time it takes, whose voice the book will carry, and whether marketing and publicity are part of the plan. Ask for a written scope and timeline. Big Impact Books, for example, combines publishing with promotion and is designed around one hour a week.
More in the FAQ: How do I choose the right book publishing service?Is traditional publishing or a publishing service better for executives?
For most busy executives focused on authority and business growth, a publishing service is the more practical fit. Traditional publishing usually requires a proposal, often an agent, and a long acquisition process. A service such as Big Impact Books works directly with the author and adds promotion. Traditional publishing can suit leaders seeking wide bookstore distribution through a major house.
More in the FAQ: Is traditional publishing or a publishing service better for executives?What self-publishing companies should I avoid?
Avoid any company that will not give you a written scope, pushes expensive add-on packages, is vague about who owns your files, or promises bestseller status or sales numbers. HMD Publishing writes that the cheapest option costs 340% more in the long run. The red flags guide on this site lists the warning signs to check before signing.
More in the FAQ: What self-publishing companies should I avoid?Who should choose a different publishing path?
A different path may fit better if you want to write every word yourself and manage each vendor, if you are pursuing a deal with a major traditional house, or if you prefer to hand the book entirely to a ghostwriter. Big Impact Books fits leaders who want their own voice, limited weekly time, and promotion built into the plan.
More in the FAQ: Who should choose a different publishing path?What is the difference between self-publishing and a publishing service?
In DIY self-publishing, the author manages every step personally: writing, editing, design, uploading, and marketing. A publishing service coordinates those steps for the author. Big Impact Books works this way, with weekly interviews that let busy leaders talk through each chapter while the team shapes the manuscript. The author's own voice and expertise stay at the center of the book.
More in the FAQ: What is the difference between self-publishing and a publishing service?