For many Christian authors, the path to publication can be filled with uncertainties—especially when trying to balance faith-driven content with quality publishing.
If you’re searching for a partner to guide your spiritual message to a wider audience, it’s essential to weigh all your options.
This review of Covenant Books aims to provide the clarity you need to decide if this Christian-focused publisher can meet your publishing goals.
What is Covenant Books?
Covenant Books is an international Christian publishing company headquartered in South Carolina.
Their mission is to offer authors, particularly those with faith-based or Christian-centered works, a platform to publish and distribute their books.
Covenant Books markets itself as a supportive publishing partner for Christian authors, offering comprehensive services that take a manuscript from its initial stages to a finished product, ready for distribution on major platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.
One key feature of Covenant Books is their tailored approach to Christian content.
They specialize in working with faith-driven authors, ensuring that the values in their books align with their target audience.
That said, they also consider secular manuscripts that uphold Christian values, making them a viable option for authors in related niches.
However, like many publishing services that cater to niche markets, it’s worth asking whether their specialized focus might limit the flexibility and wider appeal that some authors may desire.
What does Covenant Books offer?
Covenant Books provides a range of services designed to guide authors through every step of the publishing process.
However, as with many full-service publishing companies, understanding the extent and quality of these services is key to making an informed decision.
- Manuscript Review and Editing
Covenant Books offers in-house editing for all manuscripts they accept. While the company provides basic editing to meet their quality standards, authors may want to inquire about the depth of the edits and whether further professional editorial input is needed before submitting. - Interior Layout and Design
They focus on ensuring the interior layout adheres to industry standards, providing typesetting and formatting that align with the book’s trim size. This step is essential to delivering a polished, professional product, but it’s always wise to check if the design fits your vision before moving forward. - Cover Design
Their team of graphic artists works closely with authors to create visually appealing covers. This service can be helpful for those looking to attract buyers, but authors should ensure they retain control over creative input, as some services might prioritize quick turnaround over personalized design. - Printing and eBook Conversion
Covenant Books handles both the printing and eBook conversion of your manuscript, ensuring your book is available in both formats. They manage ISBN acquisition and distribution through channels like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. However, consider how this compares with more flexible print-on-demand services that offer wider options for distribution.
While these services may sound comprehensive, it’s important to consider whether this all-inclusive approach meets your needs.
For authors seeking more control over their project, or those working within a tight budget, exploring other publishing options might offer more flexibility or cost-effective alternatives.
How much do Covenant Books services cost?
One of the recurring concerns authors have expressed about Covenant Books is the lack of upfront transparency when it comes to pricing.
Many authors report that the full cost of services is not disclosed until later in the process, leading to unexpected financial commitments.
Testimonials suggest that Covenant Books follows a business model where costs are revealed incrementally, which can make it difficult for authors to budget effectively from the outset.
For example, fees for various services such as editing, cover design, and marketing may not be fully clear during initial consultations
While Covenant Books promises a wide range of services, the absence of a straightforward price list can lead to confusion or frustration for authors who expect to know what they will be paying upfront.
If you’re an author who values financial transparency and wants to avoid potential surprise costs, it might be worth considering other self-publishing platforms that offer clearer pricing from the start.
Pros and cons of Covenant Books
When considering whether Covenant Books is the right publishing partner, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons that could influence your decision.
Pros of Covenant Books
Covenant Books offers several benefits, especially for Christian and faith-based authors.
- Niche Focus on Faith-Based Content: They specialize in publishing Christian works, offering a tailored platform for authors who want their message aligned with their values.
- Comprehensive Publishing Packages: From editing to distribution, Covenant Books handles most of the process, making it a more hands-off option for authors who prefer not to manage the logistics of self-publishing.
- Personalized Customer Support: Authors are assigned a dedicated representative who helps them navigate the entire publishing process, offering a personalized touch that some other publishers might lack.
Cons of Covenant Books
However, there are notable drawbacks that could make authors reconsider.
- Lack of Pricing Transparency: Many authors have reported being surprised by the cost of services that are not disclosed until later in the publishing process, making it difficult to budget upfront.
- High Initial Investment: Compared to other self-publishing options, the upfront fees at Covenant Books can be steep, which may deter authors working within tight budgets.
- Limited Genre Appeal: While their focus on Christian content is a plus for some, it can be a disadvantage for authors who write in secular genres or want to reach a broader audience.
- Potential for Less Creative Control: As with many full-service publishing companies, some authors may feel that they lose control over key creative decisions, such as cover design or marketing.
- Questionable Return on Investment: Some authors have expressed dissatisfaction with the commercial success of their books, raising concerns about whether the costs of using Covenant Books lead to substantial returns.
For authors seeking greater transparency, more control over their creative work, and a broader reach, alternatives like selfpublishing.com might offer a more suitable solution.
Alternatives to Covenant Books
If Covenant Books doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, there are several other Christian-focused publishing companies you might consider.
However, it’s essential to weigh each option carefully, as some may have limitations that impact your creative control or budget.
- WestBow Press
WestBow Press is a Christian self-publishing company backed by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, two of the largest Christian book publishers. While their affiliation with big names may seem appealing, WestBow operates more like a vanity press, requiring authors to pay high upfront costs for packages that include limited marketing support. - Tyndale House Publishers
Tyndale is a well-established traditional Christian publisher, known for its high editorial standards and significant reach in the Christian market. However, as a traditional publisher, it only accepts a limited number of manuscripts per year, and authors must navigate a lengthy and highly competitive submission process. - Baker Publishing Group
Baker Publishing is another top name in Christian publishing. While they offer excellent distribution and marketing support for successful authors, their traditional model means authors often lose creative control and are bound by stricter royalty agreements. The selection process can be daunting for newer or niche authors. - SelfPublishing.com
Unlike traditional publishers, SelfPublishing.com gives authors complete control over their work while providing a range of supportive services, including editing, design, and marketing. With transparent pricing and flexible packages, authors retain their rights and profits, making it a strong alternative for those looking to self-publish with professional support but without the hidden fees associated with companies like Covenant Books.
Why authors should consider selfpublishing.com instead of Covenant Books
When choosing a publisher, authors should consider their goals, budget, and how much creative control they want to retain.
SelfPublishing.com stands out for several reasons, making it an attractive alternative to Covenant Books.
- Complete Creative Control
Unlike Covenant Books, SelfPublishing.com allows authors to retain full control over the content, design, and marketing of their books, providing freedom to craft the project exactly as envisioned. - Transparent Pricing
SelfPublishing.com offers clear, upfront pricing for all services, ensuring there are no surprise costs or unexpected fees down the line—an issue that many authors face with Covenant Books. - Comprehensive Support for All Genres
While Covenant Books specializes in Christian works, SelfPublishing.com welcomes authors from all genres, providing broader market appeal and flexibility for authors who may want to explore different themes. - Higher Author Royalties
With SelfPublishing.com, authors keep a more significant share of their royalties. Covenant Books, on the other hand, takes a portion of your profits, reducing the income you could make from your hard work. - Faster Time to Market
Traditional publishers and vanity presses often take longer to publish and distribute a book, but SelfPublishing.com’s streamlined process ensures your book reaches the market quickly, allowing you to start selling sooner.
Covenant Books review – final thoughts
While Covenant Books offers a range of services tailored to Christian authors, their lack of transparency in pricing and potential limitations on creative control may leave some authors wanting more flexibility.
For those seeking a self-publishing option that provides greater transparency, creative freedom, and support, SelfPublishing.com stands out as a strong alternative.
Whether you’re a first-time author or an experienced writer, SelfPublishing.com offers the tools to publish your book professionally while keeping control firmly in your hands.