Fw: Average Cost to Self Publish a Book

Outskirts Press

June 13

Self-publishing has become an increasingly popular option for authors seeking more control over their work and a larger share of the profits. However, one of the most common questions aspiring authors ask is, "What is the average cost to self publish a book?" Understanding this can help you budget effectively and avoid surprises along the way.

Breakdown of Costs

The average cost to self publish a book varies widely, depending on several factors including the quality of services you choose and the book's length and complexity. Here's a detailed breakdown of potential expenses:

Editing
While technically "optional," quality editing is crucial for a professional-looking book that is going to be well-received in the marketplace. The cost can range significantly depending upon the type of editing you require. In-depth developmental editing that involves feedback on plot, structure, characters, and overall story can cost up to 15 cents per word. Copy editing, on the other hand, can cost as little as 3 cents per word, as it focuses only on grammar, syntax, wrong word use, and punctuation. For a 70,000-word novel, the total editing cost might range from $2,100 to $10,500. Whether or not this factors into the average cost to self publish a book depends upon whether or not you opt for professional editing. Hint: You probably should.
Cover Design
A professionally designed cover can significantly and positively impact your book's sales. Your online publisher may offer covers for free that could be indistinguishable from a custom cover with a little creativity on your part. But a talented cover designer is usually your best bet and those artisans charge for their skills. This means a true custom cover designed from scratch by a talented and creative cover designer typically costs between $400-$2,000. If you feel your cover is relatively simple, you could lean toward the lower half of that range when determining the average cost for self publishing a book. However, if you believe your cover idea gravitates toward the more complex, it might be safer to lean toward the higher end when you are calculating your average cost to self publish your book.
Formatting
Proper interior formatting ensures your book looks good and professional in all print formats and on all devices (if you're opting for an ebook version as well, which would also factor into the average cost to self publish a book). Ebook formatting costs typically range between $100-$300 while print book formatting typically ranges from $100-$500. Your online publisher may provide package pricing for both and they may even include these costs within your overall publishing package.
ISBN
ISBNs are necessary for distribution. In the U.S., a single ISBN costs $125 when buying them directly from the source.
Printing
If you plan to offer a print version, the cost of printing depends on the size of the book, the number of pages, whether the interior is color or black-and-white, and the initial print run quantity.

Bulk printing has the advantage of lower per-unit costs but requires a hefty upfront investment, typically $3 - $5 per copy for 1,000 copies, which is often the minimum quantity required for a bulk print run; depending upon the bulk printer, it may even be 2,000. Therefore, when figuring out the possible average cost to self publish a book via bulk printing, the amount to add to your total could be between $3,000 - $10,000.

The other option for printing is via print-on-demand (POD), which has the advantage of zero inventory and zero upfront printing costs. The disadvantage is higher per-unit printing costs, which can vary dramatically depending upon your POD printer, but typically falls below $10 for an average-length book. The additional upside to POD printing is that you only pay that higher per-unit printing cost when the book is actually printed (which is usually AFTER the book has been sold and your royalty is already earmarked for your pocket). Take that into account when calculating your average cost to self publish your book.
Marketing
An oft-overlooked component of successful self-publishing is marketing the book after publication because marketing is ultimately optional. However, marketing and promotion can make or break your book's success. You should budget for some degree of marketing when figuring out the total average cost to self publish. Obviously, the cost depends upon how much marketing and promotion you want to do. $500 would be on the low end and $5,000 would be on the high end.

Total Average Cost to Self Publish a Book

Summing up these costs gives us a clearer picture of the average cost to self publish a book. Here's a potential budget for a 70,000-word novel:

Editing: $2,100 - $10,500
Cover Design: $400 - $2,000
Formatting: $200 - $800
ISBN: $125
Printing: $10 - $10,000
Marketing: $500 - $5,000

This results in a total average cost to self publish a book ranging from approximately $3,335 to $28,425.

Why such a huge discrepancy in this average cost to self publish a book? It depends upon "how" you self publish a book. The largest factor is whether you print via bulk printing (expensive) or print-on-demand (inexpensive). The next largest factor is your marketing. You know your goals best, so keep all those factors in mind as you calculate your personal average cost to self publish a book.

Cost-Saving Tips

Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter can help cover up-front costs by securing pre-orders.
Marketing Partnerships: Collaborate with other authors for joint marketing efforts to cut costs.

Conclusion

The average cost to self publish a book can vary widely based on the level of professional services you choose and the manner in which you produce your final copies. By understanding these costs and planning accordingly, you can better manage your budget and ensure a successful self-publishing journey. Whether you aim for the lower end or decide to invest more, hopefully this breakdown on the average cost to self publish a book has proven to be helpful advice as you navigate your own self-publishing adventure.

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