The happiness of holding your own book, the pages alive with your words and ideas
It’s a dream many share, but the question that often follows is, “How much does it cost to publish a book ?”
Editing, designing, formatting, and marketing a book takes a lot of hard work; after all, nothing worthwhile comes without effort.
Planning to self-publish or take the traditional route? It’s important to know the costs so you can bring your vision to life.
In this blog, we’ll break down the typical expenses of publishing in 2025, giving you a clear picture of what it takes to turn your manuscript into a masterpiece.
By the end, you’ll know exactly where your money might go and how to plan for each step of the process. Excited to see what’s ahead? Let’s get started!
Editing Costs: Why You Absolutely Need One
Every book, no matter how brilliant, needs editing. Why? Because even massive bestselling authors make typos, and trust me, readers will notice. An unedited book is like showing up to a red-carpet event wearing pajamas. Not advisable.
Now, editing comes in different flavors depending on what your manuscript needs.
Types of Editing
- Developmental Editing
Are your characters believable? Does your plot make sense? A developmental editor dives deep to reshape your story’s structure, pacing, and flow. This level of attention doesn’t come cheap at $0.07–$0.12 per word. For a 70,000-word book, that’s $4,900–$8,400, but hey, it’s an investment in storytelling gold. - Copyediting
Copyediting sharpens your story, fixing grammatical errors and smoothing awkward sentences. It usually costs $0.02–$0.04 per word, which means a 70,000-word novel might cost you about $1,400–$2,800. - Proofreading
This is your final pass. If your editor is the hairstylist who preps you for prom, your proofreader is the one making sure not a single strand is out of place. Expect to pay $700–$1,400 for this step (based on a rate of $0.01–$0.02 per word).
Money-Saving Tip
Short on funds? Look for a newer editor building their portfolio or explore freelance book publishing services on reputable platforms. Just don’t skip editing entirely, okay? That’s non-negotiable.
Cover Design Costs—Everybody Judges a Book By Its Cover
Yes, your mom told you not to judge a book by its cover, but the rest of the world didn’t get that memo. Your book cover is your number-one marketing tool, so it better look sharp.
Ballpark Costs
- Premade Covers: These are like the ready-to-wear section of a department store. Basic but customizable options start around $200–$400.
- Custom Designs: Need a jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind cover? Custom design will cost $500–$2,000 or more if you add fancy illustrations or request endless tweaks.
Worth It? Absolutely
Readers browse on platforms like Amazon at lightning speed, and your cover is what makes them stop scrolling. A poorly designed cover screams, “This book isn’t worth your time.”
Money-Saving Tip
If custom designs are out of your budget, use tools like Canva or hire an up-and-coming designer on Fiverr. Pro tip: keep it clean and professional. Skip the weird fonts and cluttered imagery.
Formatting Costs—Making Your Book Look Good Inside
Formatting is all about making sure your book doesn’t just read well but looks good, too. Trust me, no one wants to see a text block with zero margins or funky line breaks.
Costs for Formatting
- DIY Options: Tools like Atticus ($147) or Vellum ($199–$249) are lifesavers if you’re doing it yourself and have a bit of tech-savvy.
- Professional Services: Don’t want to touch the tech? Hire a formatter for $50–$1,000, based on your book’s complexity.
Who Needs Formatting?
Everyone who wants a polished product! The cost can climb if your book includes illustrations, maps, or non-standard layouts (looking at you, beautiful children’s books).
Money-Saving Tip
If you’re tackling this solo, check out free tools like Kindle Create. It’s not as fancy, but it gets the job done for basic needs.
Marketing Costs—Getting Your Book Noticed
You’ve written a fantastic book. Now comes the part where you convince people to read it. Marketing costs can be as low or as high as you want, but here’s what to budget for if you want some visibility.
Common Marketing Costs
- Amazon Ads: Start small, like $1/day, or go big with campaigns costing $100–$1,000 for better reach.
- Social Media Ads: Boost posts on Facebook or IG for as little as $50 or go all-in with campaigns up to $1,000+.
- Email Lists and Websites: Build a website to showcase your work ($5–$50 per month)—because an author without an online presence is like a business with no storefront.
Low-Cost & Free Marketing Ideas
- Join reader groups on Facebook or Reddit.
- Get active on Instagram (bonus points if your pet makes guest appearances).
- Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers; some won’t even charge for reviews.
- Hand out business cards at book fairs or local events.
Money-Saving Tip
Before you throw your wallet at ads, experiment with free strategies. Indeed, a little creativity can go a long way!
Additional Costs to Keep in Mind
Self-publishing isn’t just about the big-ticket items. Here’s what else might sneak into your budget:
- ISBNs: This barcode for books ranges from $30 (bulk purchase) to $125 each.
- Print-On-Demand Fees: Amazon’s print services charge $4–$14 per copy.
- Illustrations: If you’re creating a children’s book or graphic novel, expect to pay $500–$5,000 for illustrations.
- Audiobooks: Want to enter the booming audiobook market? Recording and production can cost $3,000–$8,000.
Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing
Wondering which route is right for you? Here’s the quick 411.
Traditional Publishing
- Costs: Publishers cover production costs like editing and design, but good luck getting that book deal!
- Royalties: Smaller margins (around $0.50–$2 per book sold).
- Marketing: Some support, but expect to pay for a lot of your own promotion too.
Self-Publishing
- Costs: All on you. But you control everything.
- Royalties: Higher payouts of $1–$5 per book sold.
- Marketing: Completely your responsibility, but you keep the profits (worth it).
Budget Like a Pro
Publishing doesn’t have to wipe out your savings. For instance, here are a few tips to keep your wallet happy:
- Plan Ahead: Create a detailed budget and stick to it.
- Splurge Where It Counts: Editing and cover design deserve your dollars.
- DIY Where You Can: Got some tech skills or creativity? Tackle easy tasks like formatting or simple ads.
- Think Long-Term: An upfront investment leads to future royalties.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book in 2025 can cost anywhere from peanuts ($500) to a small fortune (over $5,000). It all comes down to how you allocate your budget and what your ultimate goals are. No matter your path, remember that investing in quality ensures readers won’t just read your book, they’ll recommend it.
