Perhaps the most common question I get is 'How much does it
cost to publish a book?'
There is no definitive answer. You can spend very little,
and get a book on sale, but at the upper end the sky is the limit.
Basically Bankrupt:
£0/ $0
Our basically bankrupt author has no budget. At all. Not a
single penny. How does he get published?
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
£0 = Skip it/ use critique partners or beta readers
|
Proofreading
|
£0 = Skip it/ borrow a friend/ family member
|
Artwork
|
£0 = Skip it/ use free online images / use Amazon's cover builder
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Pros = No risk. If the book tanks, you'll still make a
profit.
Risk s = It'll be poorly edited, and look like crap. Other
authors will laugh at you. Readers will take the piss.
Recommended for... No
one, unless you are literally about to go bankrupt unless you can make a quick
£50 or so selling your work to friends and family.
Cheapskate: £12
The absolute minimalist approach... but less crap looking.
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
£0 = Skip it/ use critique partners or beta readers
|
Proofreading
|
£0 = Skip it/ borrow a friend/ family member
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Pros - Very low risk. Still looks professional at first
glance.
Cons - Still pretty amateurish, absolute time sink, may not
get much (any) exposure
Recommended for...
Short stories in niche markets that have little to no chance of earning out on
a decent spend.
Still a bargain: <£150 / $225 - £220/ $330
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Use a cheap
editor looking for portfolio work to show off (read, new to editing)
$200/ £130 - $300/ £200 (dependant on length)
|
Proofreading
|
£0 = Skip it/ borrow a friend/ family member
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Editors often do bargain basement deals when starting out to
build a client base. This low cost option combines cheap artwork, and bargain
editing to deliver a semi professional finish.
Pros: You've been through one edit, you've got good art
Cons: No proofing so there will be errors, you'll have to
DIY an awful lot
Recommended for... Those on a shoestring budget.
Mid range
investment: £313/ $460
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Use a cheap
editor looking for portfolio work to show off (read, new to editing)
$200/ £130 - $300/ £200 (dependant on length)
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Editors often do bargain basement deals when starting out to
build a client base. This low cost option combines cheap artwork, bargain price
editing and one proof to eliminate most erors
Pros: You've been through one edit, you've got good art
Cons: Minor errors will creep through - one proof-reader
isn't enough, you'll have to DIY an awful lot
Recommended for...
Those wanting a good finish without New York budgets
Getting serious:
£450 / $675
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Use a cheap
editor looking for portfolio work to show off (read, new to editing)
$200/ £130 - $300/ £200 (dependant on length)
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Editors often do bargain basement deals when starting out to
build a client base. This low cost option combines cheap artwork, bargain price
editing and two proofs to ensure a professional polish.
Pros: You've been through one edit, you've got good art
Cons: Still a newbie editor/ You'll have to DIY an awful lot
for formatting and marketing
Recommended for... Those
wanting a bit more professional polish than 'Mid range investment' buy willing
to put a lot of work in.
"I hope I
make this back" = £1250/ $1875
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire an established editor at circa $25 per hour. Expect to spend
$800-$1600 dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
£0 = DIY. Typically a quick 'word simple style / export to filtered
html / Sigil / Calibre job'
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
This buys you a solid, experienced edit but not a big name.
Pros: You've been through one very good edit, and two proofs
Cons: You'll have to DIY an awful lot for formatting and
marketing. Still using cheap art.
Recommended for... Those
willing to take a risk, and writing in a big enough genre to pay them a decent
ROI (i.e. if you're writing something so niche you'll only sell a few hundred,
this will see you lose money.
"I hope I
make this back" + "I'm a bit lazy" = £1300 / $2000
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire an established editor at circa $25 per hour. Expect to spend
$800-$1600 dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Use a professional premade cover from someone like goonwrite.com (and
no, James has not paid me to plug him!) £12
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
This buys you a solid, experienced edit but not a big name.
Pros: You've been through one very good edit, and two proofs
Cons: You'll have to DIY an awful lot for formatting and
marketing. Still using cheap art.
Recommended for... Those
willing to take a risk, and writing in a big enough genre to pay them a decent
ROI (i.e. if you're writing something so niche you'll only sell a few hundred,
this will see you lose money. Only do this if you can't manage your own
formatting - It's not too hard if you're technically savvy (and remember to put
important stuff on recto, less important stuff on verso when doing print
designs)
"I'm really
starting to think hard about whether I'll lose money" = £1400 / $2150
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire an established editor at circa $25 per hour. Expect to spend
$800-$1600 dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Get a decent designer to do a custom cover - mid range. £100/ $150.
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Homemade art/ no back, digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
This buys you a solid, experienced edit but not a big name.
Pros: You've been through one very good edit, and two proofs
Cons: You'll have to DIY marketing.
Recommended for... A
bit more risk, but decent art and decent editing. A solid mid-range spend for a
serious self publisher. Only do it if you're pretty confident you'll make it
back.
"My book
needs a pretty picture too!" = £1700
/ $2150
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire an established editor at circa $25 per hour. Expect to spend
$800-$1600 dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Get a top end design - £400/ $600 is not unusual for those with
decent portfolios. Think Damonza, Carl Greaves or similar here. This level of
spend buys you someone with a proven track record in designing covers for
bestsellers.
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Digital proof, no expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
This buys you a solid, experienced edit but not a big name.
Pros: You've been through one very good edit, and two proofs.
Seriously good art.
Cons: You'll have to DIY marketing.
Recommended for... The
confident second timer. Once you get into this territory, it's hard to recoup
your costs. $2150 = 6450 sales at 99c. That's some serious moolah to outlay if
you aren't willing to lose it.
"Best of both
(art / edit)!" = £4500 / $6750
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire a big New York editor at circa $70 per hour. Expect to spend $2800-$5600
dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
|
Artwork
|
Get a top end design - £400/ $600 is not unusual for those with
decent portfolios. Think Damonza, Carl Greaves or similar here. This level of
spend buys you someone with a proven track record in designing covers for
bestsellers.
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
No free print copies, only eBook. DIY finding all reviewers. Use
LibraryThing but not NetGalley.
|
Print version
|
Pro art, digital proof, $25 for expanded distribution
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
This buys you editing from a big name editor with serious
blockbusters to their name AND an amazing cover. If you've got a solid
manuscript, this should give it a solid chance at top 100.
Pros: You've been through one AMAZING good edit, and two
proofs. Seriously good art.
Cons: You'll have to DIY marketing.
Recommended for... The
big spender who needs serious editorial assistance. Not for small markets, and
not for those writing 'rule based' genres.
"Are you
f****ng serious?" = £5600/ $8390
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire a big New York editor at circa $70 per hour. Expect to spend $2800-$5600
dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
Use three proofreading passes to eliminate most minor errors - from $160 / £107 to $200/ £130 to $320
|
Artwork
|
Get a top end design - £400/ $600 is not unusual for those with
decent portfolios. Think Damonza, Carl Greaves or similar here. This level of
spend buys you someone with a proven track record in designing covers for
bestsellers.
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
Netgalley - $400 for 6 months (less if using a coop)
Kirkus - $425
PW (25% chance approx) - $150
Goodreads giveaway - cost of copies + shipping ($20 ish per copy for
worldwide)
Blog tour - from $100 -$400 dependent on stops
|
Print version
|
ED - $25, Proof - $15
|
Marketing
|
No paid adverts. Typically, this means using twitter, facebook,
goodreads and organising your own blog tours
|
Only the best money can buy - but still only one editor (two
can spot stuff one won't). Still no marketing spend fort direct adverts.
Pros: You've been through one AMAZING good edit, and three
proofs. Seriously good art.
Cons: You've spend your retirement fund!
Recommended for... The compulsively competitive type who is happy to take a huge gamble.
The sky is the
limit = $10,000+
Keep costs down by using inexperienced freelancers
Item Needed
|
Spend/ Way to avoid spend
|
Editing
|
Hire a big New York editor at circa $70 per hour. Expect to spend $2800-$5600
dollars depending on how rough your work is.
|
Proofreading
|
Use three (or more) proofreading passes to eliminate most minor errors - from $160 / £107 to $200/ £130 to $320
|
Artwork
|
Get a top end design - £400/ $600 is not unusual for those with
decent portfolios. Think Damonza, Carl Greaves or similar here. This level of
spend buys you someone with a proven track record in designing covers for
bestsellers.
|
Formatting
|
|
Reviews
|
Netgalley - $400 for 6 months (less if using a coop)
Kirkus - $425
PW (25% chance approx) - $150
Goodreads giveaway - cost of copies + shipping ($20 ish per copy for
worldwide)
Blog tour - from $100 -$400 dependent on stops (each tour)
|
Print version
|
Big offset print run - $thousands.
Warehousing - Hundreds +
Returns - Up to half of print run
|
Marketing
|
BookBub
BookGorilla
ENT
POI
BookBlast
Goodreads
Facebook
Kboards
Etc etc etc
|
These budgets are all examples - you could mix and match to suit your book and budget. Don't think this is a bible, but feel free to use it as a solid ballpark estimate for your costs. This all assumes a novel of around 80,000 words. Big tomes, and short works will vary considerably.
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