So, you’ve finally written your book. First of all—congrats! That’s a huge achievement.
Whether it’s a novel, a memoir, a how-to guide, or a collection of poems, putting your thoughts into words and turning them into a manuscript is no small feat.
Now, here comes the big question: How much does it cost to self-publish a book in 2025?
Well, if your brain is already swimming in dollars and publishing jargon, don’t worry. In this blog, we will break down the cost of self-publishing a book in 2025. So get a cup of coffee, and stay with me!
What is Self-Publishing, Really?
Self-publishing is when the author has all the control over their book. This means that you are not waiting for a big publishing company’s “yes” for your book. In addition, they retain control over all creative decisions, publishing costs, and royalties.
Furthermore, platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Apple Books, and others allow you to publish your book without needing a traditional publisher.
But here’s the catch: even if the platforms might be free to use, some important steps in the process do cost money.
So, How Much Does It Really Cost?
And here comes the real question: How much does it cost to self publish a book UK?
Short answer: The minimum cost to self-publish a book in the UK is approximately $1600.
Also, the total cost varies depending on certain factors, such as the length of the book, genre, quality, etc.
So, let’s break down the price and know the cost of each step:
Editing: $300 – $2,000+
Even the best writers need an editor. And no, spell check is not enough.
There are different types of editing:
- Developmental editing: Focuses on structure, flow, and big-picture stuff.
- Copyediting: Fixes grammar, punctuation, and sentence clarity.
- Proofreading: Catches the final typos before printing.
If you're publishing a 60,000-word novel, editing can cost:
- Developmental: $800–$1,500
- Copyediting: $400–$800
- Proofreading: $200–$400
Cover Design: $50-$500
Indeed, readers do judge a book by its cover. Also, the sales of a book also depend on the cover design.
This is when a professional cover design maker comes into action and creates eye-catching designs that also fit well according to the genre.
Well, yes, many people make designs using some DIY tools like Canva. But let's be real, the impact that a professionally made cover design makes cannot be filled via these tools.
Budget design (template-based): $50–$100
- Custom design: $150–$500+
- Top-tier, fancy designs: $1,000+
Formatting: $50-$300
Formatting is how your book’s content looks from inside. In addition, it includes the chapter, font size, margin, alignment, and various other elements.
Let's be honest, readers face difficulties connecting with the story due to formatting inconsistencies.
So, you can use tools like:
- Vellum (great for Mac users)
- Atticus (Mac & Windows)
- Reedsy Book Editor (free)
Also, you can hire a formatter, too, if you'd rather not fuss with the details.
Pro Tip: If you’re tech-savvy, you can do this yourself and save some cash.
ISBN: Free – \$125 (per ISBN in the US)
An ISBN is the number in the back of the book that identifies it in libraries and book stores.
Also, Amazon KDP gives you a free ISBN (but Amazon is listed as the publisher).
So, if you want to publish under your own name or brand, you’ll need to buy one:
- $120 for one
- $250 for 10
Marketing & Promotion: $0 – $2,000+
So, guys, this part is completely flexible. You can promote your book the way you like.
Some of the options are:
- Free options: social media posts, blogs, or newsletters
- Paid options: Running ads on Amazon, BookHub, and Facebook.
Also, some people spend just \$100. While others put in thousands. So, it depends on your goals. Do you want to sell 100 copies or hit the bestseller list?
Print Copies (Optional): $2-$10 per book
My fellow authors, if you're publishing just an ebook, you can skip this part.
But if you need hand covers, then there is a cost for that.
- Print-on-demand services like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark only charge when someone orders your book.
- A 200-page book might cost around $3 to print
Can You Self-Publish for Free?
Yes, it’s possible—but you’ll be making a lot of compromises.
If you:
- Edit the book yourself (too risky),
- Get help with a cover design tool,
- Use software to format your book,
- Use Amazon’s free ISBN,
- Don't opt for paid marketing…
…you can publish your book without spending a single penny. But the only disadvantage of doing this is that the results won't be as polished and refined as others.
Our advice? Invest in how much you can afford. Authors put their heart and soul into writing their content. So yes, their book deserves an amazing launch to the world.
Final Words
In today’s world, self-publishing is more accessible than ever. However, it’s not entirely free if you want to do it right. Think of it like starting a small business—because, in a way, that’s what you’re doing.
Moreover, start by setting a budget and doing some research. Also, talk to other authors and be creative with the marketing.
Whether you spend $200 or $2,000, the real value is in finally holding your own book in your hands and sharing your words with the world.
FAQs
Who are the 5 big publishers?
The top five big publishers are 1. Penguin/Random House, 2. Hachette Book Group, 3. Harper Collins, 4. Simon and Schuster, and 5. Macmillan.
How long does it take to publish a book with a traditional publisher?
To publish a book with a traditional publisher, it takes around 2-3 years from start-to-finish process.
Is it hard to self-publish a book?
Yes, it’s considered hard and time-consuming to self-publish a book. However, it’s possible if you have a lot of resources to help you.
Who is the most famous self-published author?
E.L. James is the most famous self-published author.
