Are you planning on publishing your book this year? You might be thinking of how much it’ll cost. We’re here with the answers. You’ll find different things when it comes to the cost to publish a book. That’s because there’s no definite value. The right answer depends on your publishing route.
There’s a big misconception that many authors believe. They think that they need a famous publishing house for publishing. But we have good news: you don’t need an established publishing house. You don’t have to wait for anyone to accept your manuscript. You can publish your own book. If you do this, you won’t have to worry about the heavy fees of traditional publishing.
You’re taking back creative and financial control when you self publish a book. Our experts will explain everything about the cost to self publish a book. Let’s start by explaining the basics of the publishing process. We’ll also look at how much it costs.
So, let our specialists begin.
How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?
There are many things that can increase or reduce the cost of publishing. So, there’s no single amount. We’ll discuss these things in terms of:
- Editing
- Photography/Illustrations
- Formatting
- Indexing
- Legalities
- Marketing
Let’s look at these in detail.
1. Editing
Editing is the most important part of the writing process. You need to get a professional editor to review your work before you publish your book. Editing expenses can change because of the type of editing. Authors will probably go for:
- Editorial Assessment
- Developmental Editing
- Copy or Line Editing
- Proofreading
Editorial assessment and developmental editing are for new writers. They can help you refine the main concepts of your manuscript like:
- Plot
- Character arcs
- World-building
Here’s some additional info:
- Line editing does line-by-line checks to find errors.
- You have to proofread at the end of the publishing process to catch the rest of your mistakes.
- The cost for these services is 1.5 to 3 cents per word.
- Line editing or editorial assessment, 80,000 words = 1.9 cents per word, $1,520.
- Proofreading, 80,000 words = 1.5 cents per word, $1,200.
- Developmental editing, 80,000 words = 3 cents per word, $2,400.
2. Photography/Illustrations
Your cover is the first thing your readers will see. It has to be perfect. But that’s the truth. A cover has a few seconds to grab someone’s attention. So, you can work with skilled illustrators. Some authors design their covers themselves. This can help in saving money. They use platforms like:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Freelance illustrators
If you’re publishing your own book, you’re reducing the publishing cost by half. You can invest this money in a good illustrator. They can create a cover that resonates with your audience.
3. Formatting
Formatting is something you can easily manage yourself when you self publish your book using various software tools, including:
- Kindle Create
- Reedsy
- Vellum
- Atticus
These tools cater to different budget needs and can simplify the formatting process if you are familiar with using styles in Word or PDF formats. Formatting includes the adjustment of fonts, chapter headings, and other stylistic elements. The cost for formatting software can range from free to six hundred and fifty dollars.
4. Indexing
An index serves as a directory of topics mentioned within a book, and it’s useful for nonfiction works that include numerous references. Fiction usually does not require an index, and the average cost of indexing is around $400.
5. Legalities
Securing copyrights and trademarks is the most important part of publishing for any author. ISBNs, or International Standard Book Numbers, are essential for making a book discoverable globally. An individual ISBN costs about a hundred dollars. This may vary based on the format of the book (audiobook, eBook, and paperback.)
For those publishing multiple books, creating an imprint, a trade name under which books are published, is very beneficial. Designing a logo for your imprint averages $300, or you can design it yourself if you have the skills.
6. Marketing
Marketing is an integral part of publishing, and it’s suggested to constitute one-third of your total budget. This encompasses various channels like:
- Paid advertising on platforms like Facebook and Amazon
- Email marketing
- Organic social media engagement
Establishing a personal website and author newsletter can also enhance visibility. If you’re not tech-savvy, you’ll need some technical help with this.
How Do I Publish a Book on My Own?
You might be wondering, “How can you publish your own book?” We’ve already explained the costs of self publishing.
Now, let’s elaborate on how to self publish a book.
How Do You Publish a Book?
To make it easier for you to keep up, let’s divide this into the following steps:
- Write Your Manuscript
- Start The Editing Process
- Design a Compelling Book Cover
- Start Formatting
- It’s Time to Publish
- Don’t Forget About Marketing
Here’s a detailed overview of these.
1. Writing Your Manuscript
Writing a book is both exhilarating and daunting. You can’t do it in one night. You need to start with a good plan to make this process manageable. Here are some tips to help you start:
- Get Organized: Before diving into writing, establish a clear plan. Define your book’s objectives, set a timeline, and establish realistic goals. This organization will keep you motivated and focused.
- Choose Your Writing Space: Since you’ll spend significant time writing, find a space where you can work without distractions. Whether it’s a home office, a quiet library, or a local café, ensure it promotes concentration and productivity.
- Set a Daily Word Count Goal: The task of writing a book can be overwhelming, so break it into daily word count goals to maintain progress.
- Plan for Revision: Writing is just the beginning; revision is where your work matures. Plan your revision strategy by engaging with other writers, hiring an editor, or participating in a critique group to refine your manuscript to its highest quality.
2. Start the Editing Process
Moving towards publication, it’s vital to work with a competent editor to enhance your manuscript. Find an editor through recommendations from fellow writers or by searching online. You need to select someone whose skills and experience align with your needs by reading reviews and asking pertinent questions.
3. Design a Compelling Book Cover
The cover is the first impression your book makes, so it should be compelling. You can create the cover yourself or employ a professional. If you’re DIY-ing, select appropriate software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva, decide on a suitable font and color scheme, and use high-resolution images for a professional look. Once satisfied, print a template for your book’s cover.
4. Start Formatting
After writing and editing, you need to format. This process prepares your manuscript with a professional appearance. Key formatting tasks include selecting fonts, setting margins, choosing chapter styles, and organizing layout. You can do this yourself or hire a qualified designer.
You need to pick the file type for your book:
- EPUB
- MOBI
- AZW3
Each of these have different benefits. You can also use features like:
- Alt-text for images
- Adjustable font sizes
These will help you cater to all readers.
5. It’s Time to Publish
Self-publishing an eBook is often the easiest and least costly route, and platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing have made this more accessible.
For paperbacks, services like Amazon’s CreateSpace require a print-ready PDF, while publishing a hardcover might involve a more detailed setup with a service like Lulu. Each format has specific preparation and submission guidelines to follow.
6. Don’t Forget About Marketing
With your book published, focus on marketing to attract readers and boost sales. You have to create a solid portfolio online with a website and social media profiles. You can even engage on book platforms like Amazon and Goodreads to connect with the audience.
How Much Does It Cost to Self Publish a Book and How Can You Cutdown Your Expenses?
Self-publishing a high-quality book costs two to four thousand dollars. However, some authors spend more or less on their marketing. They can also invest more in editing and proofreading services. So, the cost can change.
Now, how can you ensure that you spend the least amount of money for maximum profit? Keep reading!
How Can You Reduce Expenses While Self Publishing Your Book?
Here are five effective strategies to decrease the costs associated with self-publishing:
- Use Free Promotional Tools
- Minimize Website Development Costs
- Use DIY Formatting Tools
Let’s expand on these points.
1. Use Free Promotional Tools
You need to use the free promotional tools on platforms like:
- Amazon KDP
- Barnes & Noble Press
- Lulu
- Smashwords
- Apple Books
This will help you reduce marketing costs. Here’s how you can use these promotional tactics:
- Establish a free author page on Amazon KDP, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble Press, linking back to your personal website to boost your book’s prominence.
- Utilize the preview options on self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, Kobo, and Apple Books, allowing potential readers to access sample chapters of your book.
2. Minimize Website Development Costs
Here are three methods to lower the expenses of building a professional author website:
- Hire a freelancer to construct a cost-effective author website.
- Use DIY website builders like WIX and Squarespace to create your site at a reduced cost.
- Choose free content management systems like WordPress to develop your website without any large expenses.
3. Use DIY Formatting Tools
You can use these tools for formatting:
- Reedsy Book Editor
- Sigil
- Kindle Create
- Calibre
These resources can help to:
- Organize chapters
- Insert scene breaks
- Add images,
- Add endnotes
- Create your book’s Table of Contents (TOC)
They also include:
- Adjustments to margins
- Font sizes
- Spacing
- Adding hyperlinks
How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book on Amazon?
Have you ever wondered why authors are choosing self publishing on Amazon KDP? Since we’re looking to cut down your costs while you’re publishing your own book, Amazon KDP is the best way to go. Amazon publishing cost is zero! You don’t have to put down any money to use Amazon’s platform for book publishing.
There is no setup price for authors on KDP, but Amazon book publishing costs do include delivery and printing. These are automatically deducted from royalties made on each sale. This no-upfront-payment system has allowed self-publishing authors to publish their eBooks with minimal financial risk.
You might’ve realized halfway through that publishing a book is no joke. It requires attention to detail, and you need to be aware of certain tools and strategies to be successful. If you want to avoid the added baggage of earning to use new tools and promotional strategies, you can hire experts like us at Maven Ghostwriters. We will ensure that your book gets the love and admiration it deserves, whether it’s editing or publishing.
Schedule a consultation now to understand why we’re the answer to all your book publishing needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does book publication cost?
Book publishing costs can change. The main things that impact cost are:
- The type of publishing: self-publishing vs. traditional
- The level of professional services you use. This can include:
- Editing
- Cover Design
- Marketing
- The production choices: e-book, paperback, hardcover
Self-publishing authors spend thousands of dollars to create a high-quality book.
What is the most affordable method for book publishing?
You can self-publish an e-book. This method has minimal costs. It eliminates the need for physical production and distribution. You can use channels like:
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
- Smashwords
- Draft2Digital
They will help you upload your book at no charge.
Can I publish a book for free?
Yes. You can publish a book for free. This is possible in digital format. You can use publishing sites like:
- Amazon KDP
- Smashwords
- Apple Books
They let you publish e-books at no cost. If you handle some things yourself, like:
- Writing
- Editing
- Cover design
- Formatting
This will help you avoid upfront expenses.
