Planning to self-publish? Get realistic 2025 pricing for editing, cover design, formatting, marketing, and ISBNs. See budget breakdowns from bare-bones to professional quality.

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The Self-Publishing Money Myth: Why Free Isn’t Actually Free

“Self-publishing is free!” proclaims the headline. “Anyone can publish a book at zero cost!”

Technically, this is true. You can upload an unedited manuscript with a DIY cover to Amazon KDP, click “publish,” and your book will be available for sale worldwide. Zero dollars spent.

Six months later, you’ve sold twelve copies—eight to family members, three to friends, and one to a person who immediately returned it citing “too many typos.”

This is the self-publishing reality that the “it’s free!” crowd doesn’t mention: Free self-publishing produces free-quality books that no one wants to buy.

The question isn’t whether you can self-publish for free. It’s whether you should—and what it actually costs to self-publish a book that can compete with traditionally published titles.

According to 2024 self-publishing industry data:

• Average successful self-published author spends $2,000-$5,000 per book
• Authors spending under $500 average fewer than 100 lifetime sales
• Authors investing $3,000+ average 1,000+ sales in first year
• Professional editing is #1 predictor of reader reviews and sales

The truth: Quality self-publishing requires investment. But strategic spending can produce books that compete with—and sometimes outsell—traditionally published titles.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every cost associated with self-publishing in 2025, from bare-minimum budgets to premium professional production. You’ll learn what to spend, what to save, what you can DIY, and where cutting corners will kill your book’s success.

Understanding the Self-Publishing Cost Spectrum

Not all self-published books require the same investment. Your budget depends on your goals, genre, and DIY capabilities.

The Four Budget Tiers

Tier 1: Bare Minimum ($500-$1,000)

• DIY everything possible
• Budget services where needed
• Acceptable for: First-time authors testing the market
• Risk: Lower quality may hurt sales and reviews

Tier 2: Standard Quality ($2,000-$3,500)

• Professional editing and cover
• Some DIY elements
• Acceptable for: Most fiction and nonfiction
• Sweet spot: Best ROI for most authors

Tier 3: Professional Quality ($4,000-$7,000)

• Professional everything
• Competitive with traditional publishing
• Acceptable for: Authors serious about building career
• Best for: Genre fiction, books with sales potential

Tier 4: Premium ($8,000-$15,000+)

• Top-tier professionals
• Extensive marketing
• Acceptable for: Authors with established platform or serious investment capital
• Best for: Launch books, competitive genres

What Affects Your Costs

Book length:

• Longer books = higher editing costs
• More pages = higher formatting costs
• Standard novel (70,000-90,000 words) is baseline

Genre:

• Romance/thriller covers: More expensive (competitive market)
• Literary fiction covers: Often less expensive
• Nonfiction with graphics: Much higher formatting costs

Complexity:

• Standard fiction: Baseline costs
• Books with images/graphics: 2-3x higher
• Poetry/specialized formatting: Higher interior design costs

Your skills:

• Strong self-editor: Save on developmental editing
• Design background: Save on cover/interior
• Marketing experience: Save on promotional costs

The Essential Costs: What You Actually Need

Cost #1: Professional Editing

The most important investment you’ll make.

According to reader surveys, poor editing is the #1 reason readers abandon self-published books and leave negative reviews.

Types of Editing You Need

Developmental Editing (Content and Structure)

What it covers:

• Plot holes and pacing issues
• Character development
• Structural problems
• Scene effectiveness
• Thematic consistency

When you need it:

• First-time authors
• Authors new to genre
• Complex plots
• Manuscripts with structural issues

2025 Pricing:

• Budget: $500-$1,500 (newer editors, less experienced)
• Standard: $1,500-$3,000 (experienced editors)
• Premium: $3,000-$6,000+ (top editors, specialized genres)

Pricing models:

• Per word: $0.01-$0.05 per word
• Per page: $5-$10 per page
• Flat rate: Based on word count estimate

For 80,000-word novel:

• Budget: $800-$1,200
• Standard: $2,000-$3,000
• Premium: $4,000-$6,000

Line Editing (Sentence-Level Craft)

What it covers:

• Sentence structure and flow
• Word choice and voice
• Clarity and readability
• Prose quality
• Showing vs. telling

When you need it:

• After developmental editing
• If prose needs strengthening
• For literary or commercial fiction

2025 Pricing:

• Standard: $1,000-$2,500 for novel
• Premium: $2,500-$4,000+ for novel

Can combine with: Developmental editing as comprehensive edit

Copy Editing (Grammar, Consistency, Style)

What it covers:

• Grammar and punctuation
• Spelling errors
• Consistency (names, details, timeline)
• Style guide adherence
• Fact-checking

When you need it:

• Every book, always (non-negotiable)

2025 Pricing:

• Budget: $300-$800 (newer copyeditors)
• Standard: $800-$1,500 (experienced copyeditors)
• Premium: $1,500-$2,500+ (top copyeditors)

For 80,000-word novel:

• Budget: $500-$700
• Standard: $1,000-$1,200
• Premium: $1,800-$2,200

Proofreading (Final Pass)

What it covers:

• Typos
• Formatting errors
• Final consistency check
• Last-minute catches

When you need it:

• After all other editing
• After formatting (catches layout issues)

2025 Pricing:

• Budget: $200-$400
• Standard: $400-$800
• Premium: $800-$1,200

Total Editing Investment by Tier:

Bare Minimum (copyedit only): $500-$800 Standard (developmental + copyedit): $2,000-$4,000 Professional (all editing types): $4,000-$8,000 Premium (top editors, multiple rounds): $8,000-$12,000+

How to Save on Editing

DIY first draft editing:

• Self-edit thoroughly before hiring editor
• Use tools like ProWritingAid, Grammarly
• Join critique groups for free feedback
• Every issue you catch = less editor time needed

Tiered approach:

• Skip developmental if plot is solid
• Combine line editing and copyediting
• Use less experienced editors for early drafts

Never skip:

• Copyediting (minimum)
• Proofreading (if possible)

Cost #2: Cover Design

The second most important investment.

Readers judge books by covers. A professional cover signals quality; a DIY cover signals amateur hour.

Professional Cover Design Options

Template-Based Covers

What you get:

• Pre-made design customized with your info
• Limited customization options
• Fast turnaround (days)
• Good for: Genre fiction with established visual conventions

Services:

• BookBrush: $30-$50
• Canva templates: $0-$20
• GetCovers templates: $35-$50

2025 Pricing: $0-$100

Pros: Cheap, fast, genre-appropriate Cons: May look like other covers, limited uniqueness

Pre-Made Covers

What you get:

• Designer creates covers speculatively
• You buy existing design
• Some customization (title, author name, colors)
• Good for: Authors on budget who find perfect match

Services:

• GoOnWrite: $50-$150
• The Book Cover Designer: $100-$200
• SelfPubBookCovers: $75-$200

2025 Pricing: $50-$250

Pros: Professional quality, lower cost than custom Cons: Not unique to your book, limited availability

Custom Cover Design

What you get:

• Designer creates cover specifically for your book
• Unique artwork/design
• Multiple concepts and revisions
• Full commercial rights
• Good for: Authors investing in quality, competitive genres

Tiers:

Budget custom ($200-$500):

• Newer designers building portfolio
• Less experience with genre conventions
• Fewer revision rounds
• Stock photos/graphics

Standard custom ($500-$1,000):

• Experienced designers
• Genre expertise
• Multiple revisions
• Mix of stock and custom elements

Premium custom ($1,000-$3,000):

• Top designers with proven track record
• Genre specialists
• Illustrated or complex covers
• Original photography or illustration

Ultra-premium ($3,000-$10,000+):

• Celebrity designers
• Fully custom illustration
• Series packages
• Photography shoots

2025 Pricing Breakdown:

Romance/Fantasy/Thriller: Higher ($500-$2,000 typical)

• Competitive genres require genre mastery
• Specific visual conventions crucial

Literary Fiction/General Fiction: Moderate ($300-$1,000 typical)

• More design flexibility
• Less formulaic requirements

Nonfiction: Variable ($200-$1,500)

• Depends on complexity
• Photography might be needed

How to Save on Cover Design

Use pre-made covers: Browse designers’ pre-made inventory for perfect fit

Hire emerging designers: Find talented students or new professionals building portfolios

Skip illustration: Stock photos with great design can compete with custom illustration at lower cost

Design series covers together: Bulk discount for multiple books

Never do:

• Microsoft Word covers
• Poorly executed DIY in Canva
• Covers that don’t match genre

The test: Would you buy this book based on the cover alone if you saw it on Amazon?

Cost #3: Interior Formatting

Often overlooked, always important.

Poor formatting screams amateur. Professional formatting ensures readability and credibility.

What Interior Formatting Includes

For e-books:

• Proper chapter breaks
• Clickable table of contents
• Correct heading hierarchy
• Proper paragraph spacing
• No widows/orphans
• Device compatibility

For print books:

• Page size and margins
• Font selection and size
• Headers and footers
• Chapter openings
• Front/back matter
• Page numbers
• Gutter spacing

DIY Formatting Options

Free tools:

• Vellum (Mac only, $249 for unlimited books)
• Atticus (subscription or one-time purchase)
• Reedsy Book Editor (free, limited features)
• Draft2Digital (free with distribution through them)

Time investment: 5-20 hours to learn and format

Good for:

• Simple text-only books
• Authors comfortable with technology
• Multiple books (tool investment pays off)

Not good for:

• Books with images/graphics
• Complex layouts
• Poetry or unusual formatting

Professional Formatting Services

2025 Pricing:

E-book only:

• Budget: $50-$150
• Standard: $150-$300
• Premium: $300-$500

Print only:

• Budget: $100-$200
• Standard: $200-$400
• Premium: $400-$800

E-book + Print bundle:

• Budget: $150-$300
• Standard: $300-$600
• Premium: $600-$1,200

Complex formatting (images, graphics, tables): Add $200-$1,000+ depending on complexity

Services:

• Streetlight Graphics: $150-$400
• Polgarus Studio: Starting at $79
• Ebook Launch: $75-$150

How to Save on Formatting

DIY if possible: If your book is standard text, learn Vellum or Atticus

Bundle with cover: Some designers offer cover + formatting packages

Use Draft2Digital: Free formatting if you distribute through them (they take small cut of sales)

Never skip:

• Professional formatting for print (if doing print)
• At minimum, use professional tools for e-book

Cost #4: ISBNs and Publishing Setup

ISBN Costs

What is an ISBN: International Standard Book Number—unique identifier for your book

Do you need one:

• E-book: Optional (Amazon gives free ASIN)
• Print: Yes, if distributing beyond Amazon
• Each format needs separate ISBN

2025 Pricing (US):

• Single ISBN: $125 (Bowker)
• 10 ISBNs: $295 ($29.50 each)
• 100 ISBNs: $575 ($5.75 each)

Amazon free ISBN:

• Free through CreateSpace/KDP
• But Amazon is listed as publisher
• Limits distribution options

Recommendation:

• Buy your own if planning multiple books ($295 for 10)
• Use Amazon’s free ISBN for first book if testing market

Publishing Platform Fees

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing):

• Setup: FREE
• E-book: FREE
• Print book: FREE
• Distribution: Free (Amazon takes percentage of sales)

Draft2Digital:

• Setup: FREE
• Distributes to: Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, others
• Fee: 10-15% of net sales

IngramSpark:

• Setup: $49 per format (e-book and print separate)
• Print setup: $49
• E-book setup: $49
• Changes to files: $25 per change
• Distribution: Bookstores, libraries, Amazon
• Best for: Wide distribution, bookstore placement

Other costs:

• Copyright registration: $65 (optional but recommended)
• Business license: $50-$200 (if required in your area)
• Author website domain: $10-$15/year
• Website hosting: $0-$300/year

Total Setup Costs:

Minimum (Amazon only, free ISBN): $0-$100 Standard (own ISBNs, multiple platforms): $200-$500 Professional (IngramSpark, copyright, website): $400-$800

Cost #5: Marketing and Promotion

The most variable cost and most DIY-able.

Marketing can cost nothing or thousands—your budget and skills determine approach.

Paid Advertising

Amazon Ads:

• Budget: $5-$50/day
• Best for: Genre fiction
• ROI: Varies wildly (can be profitable or money pit)
• Monthly: $150-$1,500

Facebook/Instagram Ads:

• Budget: $5-$50/day
• Best for: Nonfiction, romance, some genre fiction
• ROI: Lower than Amazon but good for visibility
• Monthly: $150-$1,500

BookBub Featured Deals:

• Cost: $100-$2,000+ depending on genre and discount
• Best for: Building readership, launching series
• ROI: Usually breaks even or better if done right
• Frequency: Occasional promotions

Other promotion sites:

• Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, Robin Reads
• Cost: $40-$200 per promotion
• Best for: Price promotions

Newsletter swaps/book tours:

• Free to low cost ($0-$100)
• Time investment high

Total Monthly Marketing (Active promotion):

DIY/Low Budget: $0-$200/month Standard: $300-$800/month Aggressive: $1,000-$3,000+/month

Marketing Services and Consultants

Book launch services:

• Basic: $500-$1,500
• Comprehensive: $2,000-$5,000
• Includes: Strategy, setup, management

Publicist:

• Budget: $1,000-$2,000/month
• Standard: $3,000-$5,000/month
• Premium: $5,000-$10,000+/month
• Typical retainer: 3-6 months

Book trailer:

• Budget: $100-$500
• Professional: $1,000-$3,000
• Premium: $5,000+

Author website:

• DIY (WordPress, Squarespace): $100-$300/year
• Custom design: $500-$3,000
• Ongoing hosting: $50-$300/year

How to Save on Marketing

DIY first:

• Build author platform organically
• Use free social media
• Network with other authors
• Learn Amazon/Facebook ads yourself

Start small:

• Test ads with small budget
• Scale what works

Never spend:

• Money on marketing before book is professionally edited and designed
• More than you can afford to lose
• On services promising guaranteed bestseller

Complete Budget Breakdowns by Tier

Tier 1: Bare Minimum ($500-$1,000)

Editing:

• DIY developmental (free)
• Budget copyediting: $500-$700

Cover:

• Pre-made or template: $50-$100

Formatting:

• DIY with free tools: $0-$50

Publishing:

• Amazon KDP, free ISBN: $0-$50

Marketing:

• DIY only: $0-$100

TOTAL: $550-$1,000

Best for: Testing the market, first-time authors, very tight budgets Risk: Lower quality may limit sales and reviews Estimated sales potential: 50-200 copies first year

Tier 2: Standard Quality ($2,000-$3,500)

Editing:

• Developmental: $1,500-$2,000
• Copyediting: $800-$1,000

Cover:

• Professional custom: $500-$800

Formatting:

• Professional service: $200-$400

Publishing:

• Own ISBNs, multiple platforms: $300-$500

Marketing:

• Small ads budget: $200-$500

TOTAL: $3,500-$5,200

Best for: Most authors serious about quality Quality level: Competitive with traditional publishing Estimated sales potential: 200-1,000+ copies first year

Tier 3: Professional Quality ($5,000-$8,000)

Editing:

• Developmental: $2,500-$3,500
• Line editing: $1,500-$2,000
• Copyediting: $1,000-$1,500
• Proofreading: $500-$800

Cover:

• Premium custom: $1,000-$2,000

Formatting:

• Premium service: $400-$800

Publishing:

• Full setup, IngramSpark: $500-$800

Marketing:

• Launch campaign: $1,000-$2,000

TOTAL: $8,400-$13,100

Best for: Career authors, competitive genres Quality level: Indistinguishable from traditional publishing Estimated sales potential: 1,000-5,000+ copies first year

Tier 4: Premium ($10,000-$20,000+)

Editing:

• Multiple rounds with top editors: $5,000-$8,000

Cover:

• Top designer or original illustration: $2,000-$5,000

Formatting:

• Premium with special features: $800-$1,500

Publishing:

• Complete professional setup: $800-$1,500

Marketing:

• Publicist, ads, launch services: $5,000-$15,000

TOTAL: $13,600-$31,000

Best for: Established authors, major launches, serious investment Quality level: Premium traditional publishing Estimated sales potential: 5,000+ copies first year

Hidden Costs and Ongoing Expenses

One-Time Costs Often Forgotten

Author copies for review/promotion: $50-$200 (buying your own books at author price)

Professional author photo: $200-$800

Audiobook production:

• DIY: $0 (time investment)
• Professional narrator: $200-$400 per finished hour
• Full audiobook (8-10 hours): $1,600-$4,000

Software/tools:

• Scrivener: $50
• ProWritingAid: $120/year
• Atticus: $147 one-time
• Vellum: $249

Ongoing Costs Per Year

Marketing: $1,200-$12,000/year (if actively promoting)

Author platform:

• Website hosting: $50-$300/year
• Email service: $0-$500/year
• Social media tools: $0-$200/year

Professional development:

• Conferences: $200-$1,000/year
• Courses: $100-$1,000/year
• Books/resources: $100-$500/year

How to Budget as a Self-Publisher

The Strategic Investment Approach

Year 1: Invest heavily in first book quality

Year 2: Reinvest earnings in marketing and book 2

Year 3: Economies of scale as you build catalog

Year 4+: Profit as backlist generates passive income

ROI Expectations

Realistic first-year sales by investment:

$500-$1,000 investment:

• Sales: 50-200 copies
• Revenue: $150-$700
• ROI: Likely loss

$2,000-$3,500 investment:

• Sales: 200-1,000 copies
• Revenue: $700-$3,500
• ROI: Break even to small profit

$5,000-$8,000 investment:

• Sales: 1,000-3,000 copies
• Revenue: $3,500-$10,500
• ROI: Small profit to good return

$10,000+ investment:

• Sales: 3,000+ copies
• Revenue: $10,500+
• ROI: Potentially significant if execution excellent

Reality check: Most self-published authors don’t profit on first book. Profit comes from building catalog of multiple books over years.

The Minimum Viable Product Approach

If you’re on tight budget:

Invest heavily in: Editing and cover (non-negotiable) DIY: Formatting, basic marketing, website Save: ISBNs (use Amazon’s free), premium services Skip: Paid ads initially, publicist, audiobook

Strategy: Release quality book cheaply, use sales to fund better book 2

What You Can DIY (And What You Shouldn’t)

Safe to DIY if You Have Skills

✅ Beta reading coordination (free) ✅ Basic self-editing (free) ✅ E-book formatting (if tech-savvy, $0-$250 for tools) ✅ Social media marketing (free plus time) ✅ Author website ($100-$300/year) ✅ Book description writing (free) ✅ Amazon ads management (free to run, budget for ads)

Risky to DIY Unless You’re Experienced

⚠️ Print book formatting (easy to mess up, looks amateur) ⚠️ Cover design (only if you’re actual designer) ⚠️ Line editing (hard to edit your own prose objectively) ⚠️ Marketing strategy (easy to waste money without expertise)

Never DIY

❌ Copyediting (you can’t see your own typos reliably) ❌ Cover design (unless you’re professional designer) ❌ Developmental editing (can’t see own story problems)

The rule: DIY saves money but takes time. Value your time honestly when deciding.

Funding Your Self-Publishing Investment

Ways to Finance Publication

Save from income: Set aside monthly amount over year

Freelance/side income: Use extra earnings specifically for publishing

Crowdfunding:

• Kickstarter: Good for established platform
• Patreon: Ongoing supporter funding
• Can raise $1,000-$10,000+ if you have audience

Presales: Sell book before publication through own website/Patreon

Grants: Some arts councils offer grants for self-publishers

Payment plans: Many editors/designers offer payment plans

Never do:

• Go into debt you can’t afford
• Use credit cards at high interest
• Drain emergency fund
• Assume book will earn back investment quickly

The Timeline: When Costs Occur

Pre-Publication (Months 1-6)

Month 1-2: Developmental editing ($1,500-$3,000) Month 3-4: Revisions (your time) Month 5: Copyediting ($800-$1,200) Month 5: Cover design ($500-$1,000) Month 6: Formatting ($200-$400) Month 6: Publishing setup ($200-$500)

Total pre-pub: $3,200-$6,100

Launch Month

Marketing: $500-$2,000 Author copies: $50-$200 Ads: $200-$1,000

Total launch: $750-$3,200

Ongoing (Monthly)

Marketing/ads: $100-$1,000/month Platform costs: $20-$100/month

Genre-Specific Cost Considerations

Romance

Higher costs:

• Cover design (competitive genre): $800-$2,000
• Marketing (saturated market): Higher ad spend

Lower costs:

• Often shorter word counts: Less editing cost

Budget: $3,000-$6,000 typical

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Higher costs:

• Longer word counts: Higher editing
• Complex worldbuilding: More developmental editing
• Map/illustration needs: Additional art costs

Budget: $4,000-$8,000 typical

Thriller/Mystery

Standard costs:

• Cover crucial (competitive): $600-$1,500
• Developmental editing important: $2,000-$3,000

Budget: $3,500-$6,500 typical

Literary Fiction

Higher costs:

• Line editing crucial: $1,500-$3,000
• Cover can be simpler but must be tasteful: $400-$1,000

Lower costs:

• Marketing often less ad-dependent

Budget: $3,000-$6,000 typical

Nonfiction

Variable costs:

• Graphics/images: Can add $500-$2,000
• Research verification: Potential fact-checker cost
• Indexing (if needed): $500-$1,500

Budget: $3,000-$10,000+ depending on complexity

Red Flags: Services to Avoid

Warning Signs of Scams

❌ Guarantees bestseller status ❌ Requires buying your own books ❌ Charges “reading fees” or “evaluation fees” ❌ Won’t show portfolio or client examples ❌ Pressure tactics or limited-time offers ❌ Promises specific sales numbers ❌ Unclear pricing or hidden fees ❌ Requires exclusive long-term contracts

Vanity Presses to Avoid

Companies that charge thousands but offer little value:

• Author Solutions and imprints
• Many companies advertising on late-night TV
• Any company that focuses on selling services to authors rather than books to readers

How to identify: If they make money from you rather than from book sales, be very suspicious.

Success Checklist: Is Your Money Well Spent?

Before spending, ensure:

• [ ] Book is best I can make it (self-edited thoroughly)
• [ ] I’ve gotten feedback from beta readers
• [ ] I’ve researched service providers (checked portfolios/reviews)
• [ ] I can afford this investment without financial stress
• [ ] I have realistic sales expectations
• [ ] I understand this is a long-term investment
• [ ] I’m prepared for ongoing marketing costs
• [ ] I have a publication timeline planned
• [ ] I’ve budgeted for all necessary services, not just one
• [ ] I know my genre’s cover/quality conventions

FAQ: Self-Publishing Cost Questions

Q: Can I really self-publish for free?
A: Technically yes, but free publishing produces free-quality results. Minimum $500 recommended for copyediting.

Q: What’s the one thing I absolutely cannot skip?
A: Professional copyediting. Typos and errors destroy credibility and get negative reviews.

Q: Should I spend more on cover or editing?
A: Both matter. If forced to choose, editing (readers notice bad editing more than serviceable covers). But both should be professional.

Q: Can I make my money back?
A: Maybe, eventually. Most authors don’t profit on book 1. Catalog of multiple books over time generates income.

Q: How much should I budget for marketing?
A: Start with $200-500 for launch, then $100-300/month ongoing if doing paid ads. But focus on quality book first.

Q: Do I need to hire a publicist?
A: Not for first book. Publicists are expensive ($3,000-$5,000/month) and work best for authors with platform or traditional pub backing.

Q: What if I can only afford $500 total?
A: Spend it all on copyediting. DIY everything else. Better a well-edited book with DIY cover than reverse.

Q: Should I pay for Amazon ads?
A: Only after book is professionally edited and has professional cover. Then test with small budget ($5-10/day).

The Bottom Line: Invest Strategically, Expect Slowly

Here’s the self-publishing truth that no one wants to hear: Most authors spend $2,000-$5,000 per book and don’t make that back for 2-5 years, if ever.

But here’s the better truth: Authors who invest in quality, publish multiple books, and build audiences slowly can eventually earn $20,000-$100,000+ per year from their catalogs.

Self-publishing isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a long-term business that requires:

• Upfront investment in quality
• Multiple books (not just one)
• Patience (years to build audience)
• Learning (marketing, craft, business)
• Persistence (most quit after book one fails)

The successful self-publishers:

• Invest in professional-quality production
• Write multiple books in series or related genres
• Learn marketing gradually (start small, scale what works)
• Treat it as business, not hobby
• Have realistic expectations (not quitting day job immediately)
• Reinvest earnings in better books and bigger marketing

Your budget decision framework:

If you have $500: Copyedit + DIY everything else If you have $1,000: Copyedit + decent cover + DIY rest If you have $2,500: Full editing + professional cover + DIY formatting/marketing If you have $5,000: Everything professional, standard quality If you have $10,000: Everything professional, premium quality + launch marketing

Whatever you spend, spend strategically. Quality book + patient marketing beats expensive book + expensive marketing that flops.

Your book competes with traditionally published titles. Invest enough to compete. But don’t bet the farm on book one—you’re building a catalog, not launching a lottery ticket.

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Calculate Your Self-Publishing Budget Today

List your book’s specifications:

• Word count: _______
• Genre: _______
• DIY skills (1-10): _______
• Available budget: $_______

Then use this guide to allocate funds strategically across editing, cover, formatting, and marketing.