Manhattan Book Group

Name

Manhattan Book Group

Legal name

Manhattan Book Group

Website

https://manhattanbookgroup.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Book Publishing Services

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP-style Marketplaces & Portals) (MPAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Author Marketing, PR & Launch Services (Ads, Book Tours, Influencers) (MPAJAJAL)

Keywords

• Hybrid book publishing
• Author publishing services
• Book marketing publicity
• Editorial design services
• Literary awards program

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Author Program Service Fees: Manhattan Book Group operates as a hybrid publisher, charging authors upfront fees for its proprietary publishing program ($11,000–$13,500 depending on editing level). Authors retain 100% royalties on sales. The company also offers a $10,000 Mariel Hemingway promotional package as an add-on service.
2. Manhattan Book Awards Evaluation Fees: Year-round literary awards program with two tiers: Standard Evaluation ($400 per title, 6–8 week turnaround) and Expedited Evaluation ($650 per title, 2–4 week turnaround). Billing handled by MindStir Media.
3. Marketing & Publicity Add-On Services: Additional fee-based services including author website design, social media management (Facebook/Twitter), Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, radio and TV publicity, PR placements, book review campaigns, email marketing, and virtual book tours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Manhattan Book Group is a New York City-based hybrid book publisher that combines traditional publishing services (professional editorial, custom cover design, interior layout, ISBN assignment, worldwide Ingram distribution) with self-publishing benefits (rights retention, 100% royalties, no agent required). Its flagship proprietary author program, priced at $11,000–$13,500, guarantees accepted authors Amazon Best Seller status and media placements on NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliate sites. The company also sells marketing and publicity add-ons, a Mariel Hemingway promotional package, and operates the year-round Manhattan Book Awards program.

Product overview

Manhattan Book Group is a premier hybrid book publisher based in New York City that combines traditional publishing professionalism with self-publishing flexibility. The core offering is the Hybrid Book Publishing Program ($11,000-$13,500), which includes editorial services, custom book design, worldwide Ingram distribution, and ebook conversion, while authors retain rights and 100% royalties with a guaranteed Amazon bestseller status and media placements. Add-on services include Marketing Services (author websites, social media, Amazon/Facebook ads, PR placements, book reviews, email marketing, virtual book tours), the Mariel Hemingway Promotional Package ($10,000 featuring video endorsement and media distribution), and the Manhattan Book Awards program for literary recognition. The company also operates under parent company MindStir Media LLC and recommends its affiliated MindStir PR and MindStir Media book marketing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manhattan Book Awards: A year-round literary recognition program honoring exceptional books across all genres, operated by Manhattan Book Group as a division of MindStir Media.

Products and services

• Hybrid Book Publishing Program

Named customers5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MindStir Media LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManhattan Book Group is the New York City-based division of MindStir Media LLC, a 3x Inc. 5000 honoree and full-service publishing and book marketing company. MindStir Media handles administrative functions such as billing for the Manhattan Book Awards, provides extended book marketing services, and operates MindStir PR for press release distribution. J.J. Hebert is founder/owner of both Manhattan Book Group and MindStir Media.
• Ingram Content GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIngram is the leading wholesale book distributor in the US. Manhattan Book Group leverages Ingram to distribute printed books to 30,000 wholesalers, booksellers, and retailers in over 100 countries, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Powell's Books. Ingram distribution also provides print book returnability, enabling brick-and-mortar bookstore stocking.
• Mariel HemingwayflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOscar-nominated actress, bestselling author, and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. She is publicly endorsed by Manhattan Book Group and offers a $10,000 promotional package available to qualifying MBG authors, including a 90-second studio-quality endorsement video, YouTube promotion, press release, and media placements on NBC/CBS/FOX affiliate websites. She has 440,000+ social media followers. Her endorsement is featured prominently across all company materials and website.
• Kevin Harrington (Shark Tank)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKevin Harrington, original Shark Tank panelist and entrepreneur, has partnered with and endorsed Manhattan Book Group and its parent company MindStir Media. The partnership provides added brand visibility and credibility, particularly in the entrepreneurial and business author segments.
• MindStir PRcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMindStir PR handles press release distribution for Manhattan Book Group authors. Press releases are published on NBC, CBS, and FOX affiliate websites, as well as approximately 200 other sites. This is included as a core deliverable in the proprietary author program guarantee.
• Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, LA Weekly, Los Angeles MagazinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor national and international media outlets that have featured Manhattan Book Group and/or founder J.J. Hebert, contributing to brand authority and inbound lead generation. Coverage spans business publications (Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc., Business Insider), financial media (Yahoo Finance, USA Today), and regional press (LA Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine).
• Publishers Weekly, Ingram Advance Catalog, Library Journal, Writer's Digest, Poets & WritersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraditional advertising in industry trade publications and catalogs, including Publishers Weekly, Ingram Advance catalog, Library Journal, Writer's Digest, and Poets & Writers. These placements are part of Manhattan Book Group's marketing and publicity services offering.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BookBaby: BookBaby is a hybrid self-publishing services company offering editing, design, distribution, and marketing packages to independent authors. Closely comparable to Manhattan Book Group's combination of paid publishing packages and author services.
• Greenleaf Book Group: Greenleaf Book Group is a hybrid publisher that charges authors for publishing services while offering traditional distribution and marketing support, with authors retaining rights. Directly comparable model to Manhattan Book Group's premium hybrid publishing program.
• Archway Publishing: Archway Publishing is the hybrid self-publishing imprint of Simon & Schuster, offering editorial, design, and distribution services to authors who pay upfront fees. A scaled, institutionally-backed direct competitor in the hybrid publishing space.
• She Writes Press: She Writes Press is a hybrid publishing imprint focused on women authors, offering paid publishing packages with traditional distribution and rights retention. Operates the same hybrid publishing model as Manhattan Book Group.
• Mascot Books: Mascot Books is a hybrid publisher offering authors custom publishing, marketing, and distribution services for an upfront fee. Provides the same combination of paid publishing packages and author services that defines Manhattan Book Group.
• Amplify Publishing: Amplify Publishing (formerly Authority Publishing) is a hybrid publisher specializing in business and thought-leadership books with paid publishing packages. Comparable premium-positioning hybrid model targeting non-fiction and expert authors.
• SparkPress: SparkPress is a hybrid publishing imprint offering editorial, design, marketing, and distribution services to authors who pay upfront fees. Operates the same hybrid model as Manhattan Book Group with traditional trade distribution.
• Lulu Press: Lulu is a self-publishing platform offering print-on-demand, distribution, and à la carte author services including editing and design. Comparable as an author-services platform, though positioned at lower price points than Manhattan Book Group's premium tier.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing: Amazon KDP is the dominant free self-publishing platform and Manhattan Book Group's primary distribution endpoint. KDP is a broad incumbent that competes with hybrid publishers by offering free publishing plus optional paid services (KDP Print, Ads).

Others

• IngramSpark: IngramSpark is Ingram's self-publishing distribution platform used by independent authors and small publishers. Manhattan Book Group leverages Ingram's wholesale distribution rather than IngramSpark directly, but IngramSpark serves as a comparable self-publishing distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/book_manhattan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ManhattanBookGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/manhattanbookgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manhattan-book-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/manhattanbookgroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manhattan Book Group