TL;DR Covenant Books is a South Carolina-based Christian publishing company that charges authors upfront fees for editing, design, distribution, and marketing. It is not a traditional publisher, it operates as a hybrid/vanity press, meaning authors pay for services rather than receiving an advance. Pricing is not disclosed upfront. For Christian authors seeking transparency, rights retention, and higher royalties, self-publishing is almost always a better financial choice.
What Is Covenant Books?
Covenant Books is a paid publishing services company targeting Christian and faith-based authors, not a traditional publisher that pays you.
Founded in South Carolina, Covenant Books positions itself as a "supportive publishing partner" for authors with faith-driven manuscripts. They offer editing, interior design, cover design, printing, eBook conversion, and distribution to retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Their niche focus on Christian content is their primary differentiator. They also accept secular manuscripts that "align with Christian values," which makes their addressable market broader than it first appears.
What they don't prominently advertise: authors pay Covenant Books, not the other way around. This business model is closer to a vanity press than a traditional publisher, even if the company doesn't use that term.
Before signing with any paid publishing service, read our full guide to self-publishing companies to understand the spectrum from vanity press to hybrid to true self-publishing.
What Does Covenant Books Offer?
Covenant Books provides a bundled package of publishing services—editing, design, printing, and distribution—for a fee paid by the author.
Here's what's included, and what to watch out for with each:
Manuscript Editing
Their in-house team reviews and edits accepted manuscripts. However, the depth of editing (developmental vs. copyediting vs. proofreading) is not clearly defined in their public materials. Authors should ask specifically what level of editing is included before signing.
Interior Layout & Design
Covenant handles typesetting and formatting to standard trim sizes. This is a functional service, but author input on layout choices is limited.
Cover Design
Their graphic team designs covers in collaboration with authors. That said, the degree of creative control authors retain varies—some reviews mention limited revision rounds and designs that prioritize speed over personalization.
Printing & eBook Conversion
Covenant manages both print production and eBook formatting, then distributes through major retail channels. They also handle ISBN acquisition, though authors should confirm whether the ISBN is registered to them or to Covenant Books (this matters for rights and portability).
Distribution
Books are listed on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and similar platforms. However, Covenant's distribution reach is not materially better than what any author can access independently through IngramSpark or Amazon KDP—both of which are free to use.
How Much Does Covenant Books Cost?
Covenant Books does not publish pricing. Authors report that costs are revealed incrementally after initial consultations, making it difficult to budget from the start.
This is one of the most consistent complaints in Covenant Books reviews online. Authors describe a sales process where:
- An initial call establishes interest
- Services are pitched one layer at a time
- Full cost is not disclosed until the author is already invested in the process
This lack of upfront pricing transparency is a red flag. It's a common practice among publishing services companies that charge premium rates. The incremental reveal makes large totals easier to accept.
For comparison, selfpublishing.com's programs publish clear pricing and define exactly what's included. You should never have to ask twice to find out what you're paying for.
⚠️ Warning: If a publishing company won't give you a full cost breakdown in writing before you sign, that's a reason to pause. Learn how to identify deceptive practices in our guide to Amazon publishing scams and warning signs.
Pros and Cons of Covenant Books
Covenant Books has a genuine niche advantage for Christian authors, but structural issues around pricing, control, and ROI make it a difficult recommendation.
Pros
- Faith-aligned niche focus. If publishing a Christian manuscript is your priority and you want a company that understands that audience, Covenant's specialization is real
- Bundled services. For authors who want to hand off the entire publishing process, having one vendor handle editing through distribution reduces coordination overhead
- Dedicated representative. Authors are assigned a point of contact, which improves communication compared to purely self-service platforms
Cons
- No upfront pricing. The most frequently cited complaint—authors don't know total costs until deep in the process
- High fees relative to outcomes. Multiple author reviews express dissatisfaction with commercial returns on investment. Paying several thousand dollars in publishing fees to sell a small number of books is a poor financial outcome by any measure
- Limited creative control. As with most full-service publishing companies, authors give up significant say over cover design, interior layout, and marketing strategy
- ISBN ownership risk. If the ISBN is registered to Covenant rather than the author, moving your book to a different platform later becomes complicated
- Royalty structure. Covenant takes a portion of royalties. Use our book royalties calculator to model what different royalty splits actually mean for your income over time
- Niche ceiling. Christian content focus limits distribution strategy and shelf placement for authors who want mainstream retail presence
Is Covenant Books a Vanity Publisher?
Yes, by most definitions, Covenant Books operates as a vanity or hybrid press, not a traditional publisher.
The distinction matters:
| Model | Who pays? | Author keeps rights? | Advances paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional publisher | Publisher pays author | No (usually) | Yes |
| Vanity / subsidy press | Author pays publisher | Sometimes | No |
| True self-publishing | Author pays platform fees only | Yes | No |
Covenant Books fits the vanity/subsidy model: authors pay, Covenant provides services, and the company takes a royalty cut on sales. The word "vanity press" has a negative connotation, but the structural reality is what it is. Read our full breakdown of vanity publishing before committing to any paid publishing service.
Alternatives to Covenant Books
The best alternatives to Covenant Books depend on whether you want traditional publishing, full self-publishing, or professional support with author control.
Christian-Specific Alternatives
WestBow Press—Backed by Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, but operates as a paid self-publishing service. Similar pricing model to Covenant. Read our WestBow Press review for a full comparison.
Christian Faith Publishing—Another paid publishing service for Christian authors. Our Christian Faith Publishing review covers their packages and author experiences in detail.
Traditional Christian Publishers (Tyndale, Baker, Zondervan) These are genuine traditional publishers that don't charge authors. The tradeoff: acceptance rates are extremely low (under 1%), the submission process takes 12–24 months, and authors give up significant creative control and a large share of royalties. For most authors, especially first-timers, this path is not realistic.
For a full comparison of your options, see our guide to Christian publishers.
Broader Alternatives
Scribe Media—A premium ghostwriting and publishing service for business authors and thought leaders. Higher cost, stronger ROI for authors building authority brands. Read our Scribe Media review.
Advantage/Forbes Books—Positioned for business and professional authors. See our Advantage Forbes Books review.
Publishing.com—An education-first publishing service with coaching and community. Our Publishing.com review covers how it compares.
Balboa Press—Hay House's self-publishing imprint, popular with wellness and spiritual authors. See our Balboa Press review.
Why Self-Publishing Beats Covenant Books for Most Christian Authors
Self-publishing through platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark gives Christian authors the same distribution as Covenant Books, at a fraction of the cost, with full rights retention.
Here's what changes when you self-publish:
- You keep 70% royalties on Amazon KDP (vs. a lower split with Covenant taking a portion)
- No upfront publishing fees beyond optional professional services you choose
- Full creative control over your cover, interior, and marketing
- You own your ISBN and can move your book to any platform at any time
- IngramSpark gives you access to 39,000+ retailers and libraries—broader than Covenant's distribution footprint
The honest comparison: the services Covenant bundles (editing, cover design, formatting, distribution) are all available individually from freelancers and platforms—typically at lower total cost, with better author control, and without locking you into a royalty-sharing arrangement.
If you're a Christian author considering paid publishing services, the right question isn't "Is Covenant Books good?"—it's "What am I actually paying for, and could I get the same outcome with more control and better economics?"
Who Should Consider Covenant Books
Covenant Books is best suited for authors who prioritize a fully hands-off experience, are publishing for personal or ministry impact rather than commercial return, and are not primarily motivated by royalties.
If you fit this profile—you want the book done, you're comfortable paying for that convenience, and commercial return is not the priority—Covenant's bundled model may suit your needs.
If you want to maximize royalties, retain full rights, build an author platform, or reach the widest possible audience, self-publishing is the better path.
Getting Real Help Publishing Your Christian Book
If you're a Christian author navigating the decision between paid publishing services and going independent, the smartest first step is education—not signing a contract.
selfpublishing.com has helped more than 250,000 authors in 91+ countries write and publish their books. Our programs cover every step from manuscript to marketing, with transparent pricing and coaching from authors who've actually done it.
📚 Take our free quiz to find the right program for your book →
Or if you're early in the process, explore:
- How to choose among self-publishing companies
- Top Christian books—understand what your genre's bestsellers look like
- Book marketing fundamentals—because publishing is only half the battle
- How to copyright your book—protect your work before publishing anywhere
- Best ghostwriting companies—if writing the manuscript is the barrier
Is Covenant Books a scam?
Covenant Books is a real company that delivers the services it sells. It is not a scam in the legal sense. However, many authors report dissatisfaction with pricing transparency, commercial outcomes, and creative control — which is why careful due diligence before signing is essential.
Does Covenant Books accept all manuscripts?
No. Covenant Books reviews manuscripts before accepting them. They primarily publish Christian and faith-based content, though they accept secular works that align with Christian values.
Does Covenant Books own my book?
This depends on the contract. Authors should verify who holds the copyright and who the ISBN is registered to before signing. If Covenant holds the ISBN, your ability to distribute the book elsewhere is restricted.
What do Covenant Books reviews say?
Online reviews are mixed. Positive reviews cite the dedicated representative model and the faith-aligned focus. Negative reviews consistently cite lack of pricing transparency, high costs relative to sales results, and limited creative input.
Is there a better option for Christian authors?
For most Christian authors, true self-publishing via Amazon KDP and IngramSpark—ideally with professional editing and cover design—delivers better royalties, more control, and comparable (or better) distribution compared to Covenant Books.
Final Verdict
Covenant Books fills a genuine niche: Christian authors who want a fully managed publishing experience and are not primarily motivated by royalties. For that use case, it functions as advertised.
For every other use case—authors who want competitive royalties, creative control, transparent pricing, or maximum distribution reach—self-publishing is the stronger choice.
The self-publishing path isn't harder than working with Covenant Books. It's actually simpler once you understand the steps. And the economics are dramatically better.
Reviewed for accuracy by the selfpublishing.com editorial team | Updated: 2026
