Legal book publishing options
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Big Impact Books
For a busy attorney or CEO who wants an authority book plus promotion, a done-for-you publisher such as Big Impact Books fits best, because it combines manuscript creation, publishing, and marketing. A legal reference publisher fits treatises for other lawyers, a ghostwriter fits authors who want to hand off the writing alone, and self-publishing fits authors who want full control.
Published by Big Impact Books. This comparison is written by the business it lists first, and it is not independent.
Each path is described with the same kinds of facts: how the manuscript is created, how much author time it takes, who handles publishing and marketing, the typical reader, and who it suits best.
| Publishing path | How the manuscript is created | Author time | Publishing | Marketing | Typical reader | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Impact Books (done-for-you independent publisher) | Built from your own words in guided weekly interviews; the team pieces chapters together. No ghostwriting. | About one hour a week, as stated by Big Impact Books | Handled by Big Impact Books as an independent publisher | Included: promotional support such as podcast placements and media outreach | Clients, prospects, referral partners, and media | Busy attorneys, CEOs, and business owners who want an authority book plus promotion |
| Hiring a ghostwriter | Written for you by a hired writer from your input; your involvement varies by writer | Varies by writer and contract | Often a separate step; check the scope of the contract | Usually not included unless separately contracted | Whatever audience you and the writer choose | Authors who want to hand off the writing itself and can arrange publishing and marketing separately |
| Legal reference publisher (for example, Thomson Reuters or Wolters Kluwer) | Written by the author or contributors to the publisher’s specifications; the publisher decides which projects to take on | Depends on the project and the publisher’s schedule | Handled by the publisher | Sold through the publisher’s channels to the legal market | Lawyers and legal professionals | Treatises, practice guides, and reference works written for other lawyers |
| Self-publishing on your own (for example, Amazon KDP) | You write it yourself, hiring editors and designers as needed | Entirely up to you; you carry every task | You upload, format, and manage it yourself | Your responsibility | Whatever audience you choose | Authors with time, writing skill, and a strong preference for full control |
Listed first because it is the only path here whose supplied description covers manuscript creation, publishing, and promotion together. It is also the publisher of this page.
Best fit: Busy attorneys, CEOs, and business owners who want an authority book plus promotion.
Second because it covers the writing step, while publishing and promotion usually need separate arrangements.
Best fit: Authors who want to hand off the writing itself and can arrange publishing and marketing separately.
Third because publishing and sales are handled, but the reader is usually other lawyers rather than clients, and the publisher selects projects.
Best fit: Treatises, practice guides, and reference works written for other lawyers.
Fourth on this page’s criteria because the author handles writing, publishing, and promotion alone, even though it offers the most control.
Best fit: Authors with time, writing skill, and a strong preference for full control.
Big Impact Books fits attorneys, CEOs, and business owners who want a book that builds authority, have limited time, explain things well out loud, and want promotion included. Its process asks for about one hour a week and avoids ghostwriting so the book keeps your voice.
Choose a legal reference publisher for a treatise or practice guide aimed at other lawyers. Choose a ghostwriter if you want the writing done for you and will arrange publishing and marketing yourself. Choose self-publishing if you enjoy writing, have the time, and want to control every decision.
This comparison was written by Big Impact Books, the business listed first. Paths were ordered by how much of the work of creating, publishing, and promoting an authority book each one covers for a busy professional, as described in the table. We did not audit or test the other options, and we did not use ratings or reviews.
Facts about Big Impact Books come from Big Impact Books. Facts about the other paths are general descriptions of how each kind of option typically works; terms vary by provider, so check any provider’s own pages. Read our full approach and methodology, or return to the guide to book publishing for attorneys.
Short answers here. Every question is also answered on the full book publishing FAQ.
Start with Melanie Herschorn’s blueprint for legal professionals, or explore the full publishing and promotion process on the Big Impact Books website.
Published by Big Impact Books
