No invented proof
We do not invent reviews, ratings, clients, prices, or results.
Methodology
How this guide is written
Recommendations on this site come from Big Impact Books' own published facts, published industry sources named on the page, and the same criteria applied to every option.
The CEO Book Guide is written by Big Impact Books, which publishes it. It is not an independent review, and no outside audit was performed. Every comparison uses the same criteria for each option, every statistic names its source, and answers say plainly when a fact depends on your project.
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Published by Big Impact Books
How are recommendations on this site formed?
We start with the reader this site serves, CEOs and business owners planning an authority-building book, and judge options by how well they fit that reader on stated criteria.
Use only real facts
Facts about Big Impact Books come from the company. Market numbers come from published guides and surveys, named on the page.
Apply the same criteria
Every path is compared on who writes, time, voice, getting accepted, publishing, promotion, and pricing transparency.
Quote numbers exactly
Statistics keep their full range, date, and conditions. We never present a published statistic as our own.
Say who should go elsewhere
Each comparison names the cases where another path is the better fit.
What we do not do
No criticism of others
Other paths are described with neutral, generally true facts, never with complaints.
No promised outcomes
We do not promise sales, rankings, or media placements for any book.
Sources we rely on
Useful outside references include Jane Friedman's Key Book Publishing Paths and the Writer Cosmos 2026 guide. See all collected figures on by the numbers, or return to the main guide on book publishing services for CEOs.
Common questions
Short answers here. Every question is also on the full FAQ page.
What is Big Impact Books?
Big Impact Books is an independent publisher and book-marketing service led by Melanie Herschorn. It helps CEOs, business owners, attorneys, and other professionals plan, create, publish, and promote books that build authority and support business growth. The process combines guided interviews to develop the manuscript with promotional support such as podcast placements and media coverage.
Who should choose a different option?
If you want bookstore distribution through a large house and are ready to pursue an agent, traditional publishing may suit you. If you enjoy managing every production detail, doing it yourself may be enough. If you want someone else to write the entire book with little input, a ghostwriter fits better. Big Impact Books suits leaders who want their own voice, guidance, and promotion.
How does Big Impact Books compare to hiring a ghostwriter?
A ghostwriter usually writes the book for you in a voice designed to sound like you. Big Impact Books develops the manuscript from weekly guided interviews, so the content comes directly from you and keeps your voice, and it adds publishing and promotion. A ghostwriter may suit someone who wants minimal involvement and will handle publishing separately.
Is self-publishing better than traditional publishing?
Neither is better for everyone. Writer Cosmos, citing ALLi's 2025 survey, reports that indie authors earn a median of $13,500 a year, compared with a $6,000 to $8,000 median for traditionally published authors. Self-publishing offers more control and speed; traditional publishing offers an established route into bookstores but is harder to enter.
Questions about how we compare options?
Ask the Big Impact Books team directly.