How much does it cost to self-publish a book?
By Jessica Brown
I could give you a bazillion reasons why self-publishing is a good idea… ultimate creative control, 100% of the profits, full ownership of your book, the ability to set your own publishing schedule and choose your book team. However, one of the biggest reservations is the upfront financial investment needed to self-publish. This article is going to outline the costs you need to consider when publishing a book and it lays out some of the options, so you can decide on your next best step forward.
So, let’s cut to the chase: how much does it actually cost?
Well, theoretically, you could do it for free. It costs £0 to upload a book onto Amazon KDP, so the actual publishing part doesn’t cost a penny. KDP works on a print-on-demand (POD) basis, which means that a copy of your book will only get printed when someone buys it. KDP charges a fee per book, and you keep the remaining profit, so you don’t have to buy hundreds of books upfront. Good for your pocket and the environment!
The bit that costs money is the production process. Now, you could do all this yourself but if you want your book to meet the high industry standards of its traditionally published contemporaries, a DIY approach won’t cut it. If you want your book to have a professional finish from the inside out, you need to think about getting people in who know what they’re doing and can make sure your book is in the best shape possible before it goes public.
Let’s look at what it takes to get your manuscript from a Word doc and transform it into a published book.
Editing – The job of a copyeditor is to make your book as readable as possible. This doesn’t just mean spelling and grammar. They will help shine a light on things you might not have noticed and bring an expert eye to your prose, improving the flow and enhancing your reader’s experience. A good editor will bring out the best in your writing while making sure your unique author voice stays intact. As with all freelancers, editing rates can vary. However, the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) offers some guidelines on recommended minimum rates that you can expect.
Typesetting – This is when your book gets formatted from a Word doc into a PDF, the interior design bit. This is an exciting part of the production process because it’s when your manuscript starts looking like a real book! Freelancer rates vary hugely and depend on their level of experience, the country they live in and the complexity of the project – a book with lots of pictures, captions and design elements will cost more than a text-only book.
Proofreading – This is the final quality check and is usually carried out after typesetting, so that the proofreader can make sure there are no formatting issues, as well as checking for any typos or consistency issues that may have sneaked through the editing process.
Cover design – When it comes to publishing, people do judge a book by its cover. This is often the first impression someone is going to get of your book, so it really does pay to hire someone with specialist design skills. No matter how handy you may be on Canva, nothing beats a professional touch.
E-book conversion – If you want to sell an e-book copy of your book, then you will need your manuscript converted into a special file (usually EPUB), which is another expense to factor in.
ISBN – Technically, you can publish without an ISBN. Amazon issues its own version when you publish via its platform. However, it is only compatible with Amazon. If you intend to sell your book in any other way and want it to be stockable in shops and libraries, then you’ll need your own. In the UK, you can buy your ISBN from Nielsen. At time of writing (October 2022), one ISBN costs £91. However, you can buy blocks of ten for £169, which is advised since you need a different ISBN for each version of the book you want to publish (paperback, hardback, e-book etc.). And don’t forget your barcodes for print versions. These can also be purchased from Nielsen for £15 each.
The most cost-effective option is to source all these people yourself. Freelancer sites like Fiverr and Upwork are often popular for authors whose priority is to keep costs low. However, I would recommend checking out directories like the CIEP and the Alliance of Independent Authors. To be listed in either, providers must pass an extensive vetting process based on experience and professional standards. For tips on choosing the right editorial team for you, check out our blog post on the questions you should ask before hiring an editor.
As you’ve seen above, the book production process is multifaceted and, what’s more, there are often overlaps between the different stages. For example, there is usually a bit of back and forth between the typesetter and the proofreader. The interior design and cover design need to be co-ordinated so that they complement each other and your book flows aesthetically from the outside in. The editor and proofreader will also need to be involved in quality checking the cover design before it is signed off… No one wants a typo on their book cover! Making sure everything gets done at the right time and in the right order, as well as managing multiple service providers, can be rather stressful, especially if this is your first dip into the world of publishing.
There is another way!
We believe that publishing your first book should be exciting, positive and as stress-free as possible, so that you can enjoy this momentous achievement, which is why we developed our full book package, which will take your book from final draft to published gem, minus the overwhelm of project managing it all yourself.
Our team of dedicated pros are on hand to help bring your book to life. With over 70 years combined experience, we’ll look after you and your book, so that you can publish with confidence and enjoy the process!
Our packages are priced on a sliding scale based on word count.
Other costs to consider
As with anything you want to sell, a strong marketing plan is a must. This may be something you feel you can handle yourself, but it may not. If you need help finding a professional, we have trusted marketing partners in the UK and US who understand the nuances of the book industry and can support you with building your author brand and crafting an effective marketing strategy. Other things you may want to build into your budget are promotional materials and advertising, a book launch, an author website, memberships to author platforms and additional admin support.
Funding options
With non-fiction books, the potential ROI is huge. We’re not just talking book sales, but the opportunities and business growth that can result from your book can be astounding. However, for some, that initial investment is still a barrier to self-publishing. One option that is rising in popularity is crowd funding. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow people to pre-order your book and contribute to its production costs prior to publication, typically in exchange for bonus offers. There are countless crowdfunding success stories to be found online, including The Leader’s Guide by Eric Ries which raised $588,903 and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls which raised a staggering $675,614.
Payment plans are another option. Many self-publishing service providers understand that paying fees in one or two lump sums is not always possible and so allow their clients to pay their balance in smaller installments. Our payment plans, for example, offer authors the option to spread the cost of their package over 12 months.
When it comes to the financial cost of your self-publishing journey, there is an option for every budget. However, if you want that professional edge, an initial investment is a necessity. But this is exactly how it should be viewed: an investment, because with the help of the right team, the potential ROI can be out of this world!