How much does it cost to self-publish a book?

Answer: Less than you think, with Ex Why Zed!

Printing with us means your books arrive months, if not years, ahead of when they would through a traditional publishing company. You also get to keep more of the profit and have more creative control over the design, styling, size, pagination and finish.

As an aspiring author, self publishing a book is exciting since it allows you total creative and financial control of your work. However, the different costs involved in the process can be overwhelming. 

Whether you have a few thousand dollars to pour into your passion project or are working with a tight budget, knowing what expenses to anticipate can make the process smoother and less stressful. 

This article breaks down the key expenses of self-publishing your book in 2024 and future years. At Ex why Zed, you understand the best way to approach the process. With this blog, you will feel more ready as you work towards becoming a published author!

A complete breakdown of self-publishing costs

Self-publishing involves many steps, each requiring a financial investment—from editing and design to marketing and beyond. The total cost to self-publish a book can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your specific needs, the quality you aim for, and the complexity of your work. Let's look at each of these costs in detail!

What are the biggest factors in book printing cost?

The three factors which affect the price of printing a book most are:

• The size
• The number of pages (which affects the binding type)
• The quantity

Increasing any of these three elements will move the cost upwards. Reducing these factors will help keep your printing costs down.

To a lesser extent, choosing silk or gloss is cheaper than uncoated. Choosing a more flexible 250gsm cover is cheaper than 300gsm or the rigid 350gsm. Opting for 115gsm Uncoated, 130gsm silk or gloss inside pages reduces the price in comparison with 170gsm.

The pecking order of sizing costs, starting with the lowest, is A6 > A5 > 240x170mm > 210x210mm > A4. Remember at Ex Why Zed we print all the custom sizes in between these common sizes. So A6 is cheaper than A5 which is cheaper than 240x170mm etc.

If you add pages to the design, that means we need more paper to print the books so that is directly related to the overall price.

Printing more copies will increase the bottom line but in turn also decreases the price per book. So for example, printing 100 copies would cost more than printing 25. However, when you print 100, the price per copy will be less.

For example, 100 copies of an A5 Perfect Bound book with 84 pages would cost £338. This works out at £3.38 per book. If you increased the print run to 500 copies then we can print the same book for around £1350 which is only £2.70 per book.

This would form an impressive publication to fill with your art, photography or creative writing. Similar publications have a retail cover price of £10-£15 so this gives you a healthy profit of around £7-12 per copy sold. IF, you self-publish with Ex Why Zed. If you go through a publisher, expect them to take 40-50% of the profit.

Over 500 Self Published Books as Inspiration

Enjoy browsing through our portfolio of self published books to see what can be achieved.

There are over 500 case studies in our Portfolio now and remember, these are all real life projects we have printed NOT the mickey mouse, CGI nonsense all the other sites display.

Preparing Your Self Published Book For Printing

Ultimately all we need to print your book is a high resolution PDF file. This can be achieved using almost every piece of software.

If you are looking to design the artwork yourself, then take a few minutes to read our guide of the Best Software for Book Design.

Cost of book cover design

An attractive, professionally designed book cover isn't just eye-catching; it's one of your most powerful marketing tools. A great front and back cover can significantly boost your book's sales, sometimes leading to a sales difference of up to 1000%.

The cost of cover design can vary greatly, primarily depending on the designer's expertise and the complexity of the project.

Just Bear With Us

If you are printing a children's book and need it designed first then speak to our friends at justbearwithus.com who will create a stunning design to bring your story to life. Once the design is signed off, come back to us for discounted prices on your printing.

Finding a Designer

While we recommend Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher or Quark Express for designing your book, if you prefer to outsource this process. Our guides to finding a designer on People Per Hour and contacting a designer on Fiverr are great starting points for identifying someone to help out with making your book look superb.

Cost of Editing Services

Editing is a crucial step in getting your manuscript ready for publication. A well-polished, error-free text enhances readability and adds credibility to your work. Note that the cost of professional editing services varies, largely depending on the type of editing required and the length of your book.

There are three main types of editing: developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Below, we'll explore each type and the associated costs in detail.

Development editing

Developmental editing, or content or substantive editing, is an in-depth review of your whole manuscript. This process assesses 'the big picture' — elements like story arcs, character development, plot lines, and themes. The purpose of a Development Editor (DE) is to ensure that your story makes sense, flows well, and doesn't contain any inconsistencies or gaps in subject matter.

Copy editing

Copy editing, also known as line editing, focuses on improving your manuscript's clarity, tone, and readability. Here, an editor picks apart your sentences, corrects sentence structure, fixes grammar issues, highlights plot holes, and polishes your draft to perfection. This step might even result in a reduction of your word count if deemed necessary.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final review of your manuscript to catch and correct any lingering punctuation, spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. This is one of the additional services that ensures the overall quality of your writing before publication, as you don't want to spot errors after the book has been published and is in the hands of readers. Thus, proofreading is crucial in creating an error-free, polished product.

Proofreading costs are usually calculated based on word count. They are either charged at an hourly or daily rate or per 1,000 words.

Prices can fluctuate based on factors such as the editor's experience, turnaround time, different genres, and the condition of the manuscript when submitted for editing.

Cost of formatting services

Formatting is the process of arranging the number of pages and text to ensure they look professional and are easy to read. This involves consistency in margins, font choices, line spacing, paragraph alignment, and chapter headers.

The cost of professional book formatting varies depending on the complexity and length of your manuscript. For example, a novel with minimal special formatting needs would be less costly to format than an illustrated textbook with numerous images and charts.

The cost of converting a book into an eBook

E-reading is very popular today, and turning your book into an ebook is a good idea. It allows you to reach more readers around the world and makes your book available to more people.

Converting your printed manuscript into an ebook involves tasks like applying styles, reformatting for different screens, adding metadata, and meeting retailer specs. If you have the knowledge then you can convert your book into a Reduced Size PDF with a couple of clicks.

Another option is to produce it as a turn-page book on a number of the automated sites. You may well be able to find someone on peopleperhour or fiverr who can complete this process quickly and for just a few pounds.

Cost of ISBN and barcodes

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique number assigned to each version and format of a book, like an identification number. For example, a paperback, hardcover, and ebook version of the same book each require a separate ISBN. 

For the ISBN you should go directly to https://www.nielsenisbnstore.com/ who are the UK suppliers. On their site, you secure the ISBN, then download the barcode which can be added to your artwork.

Whether or not you need an ISBN depends on your plans for distributing your book. If you plan to sell your book in bookstores, online retailers, or libraries, you'll need an ISBN. Some self-publishing platforms provide an ISBN for free, but it's usually registered under their name, which may limit your distribution options. If you want to own the rights to your ISBN, you'll need to purchase it. 

Cost of Print-on-Demand services

Print-on-demand (POD) services are an attractive option for independent authors. This service prints books only when an order is placed, allowing indie authors to avoid high upfront costs and the issue of storing bulk orders.

At Ex Why Zed we have no minimum order quantity so we can print one copy for you. However, the more copies you print the lower the price per book will be.

Cost of marketing and promotion services

Once your book is ready for launch, the challenge is to get it noticed. The effort and resources you put into marketing and promoting your book will significantly influence its visibility and sales.

Social media is your best friend here. You have the potential to tap into a global market of 7 billion readers for free. Yes, for FREE! Creating an Instagram, Facebook or TikTok account costs nothing and you can start posting content immediately.

Paid Advertising includes costs for Amazon, Google, and Facebook ads. Depending on the platforms and duration of your ad campaigns, the cost varies.

Professional Website: Having a professional website or blog is a crucial platform for promoting your book. Costs might include domain registration, web design and development, and hosting. Platforms like Wix enable even novice web designers to quickly and efficiently set-up an online presence.

Email Marketing: This involves costs for email marketing services and platforms to manage your subscriber lists and send out newsletters or promotional emails. Prices vary depending on the service provider and the size of your subscriber list.

Book Launch Events: Organising book launch events, signings, or speaking engagements can help generate buzz around your book but also add costs for venue hire, refreshments, and promotional materials. Costs vary widely based on the location and scale of the event.

PR and Media Outreach: Hiring a PR firm or a press release distribution service to get media coverage can be a cost-effective way to gain exposure. Costs for PR services vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for a single press release to thousands for comprehensive PR campaigns.

Remember, effective marketing begins even before your book is published, so it's wise to budget for these costs early in your publishing journey.

How to save money on self-publishing costs?

Self-publishing can get pretty expensive, and you might not be ready for that. If that's the case, finding ways to cut costs without losing quality is key.

You could use budget-friendly tools for formatting, design your own book cover, or even rely on beta readers for those first rounds of the editing process. Don't forget about the free promotional tools that many self-publishing platforms offer, and consider using social media or blogging to market your book without spending a dime.

Utilising free and affordable tools

Editing, designing, and promoting your book all cost money, and sometimes they might push you past your budget. If that happens, don't worry—there are free or affordable tools out there that can help you create a high-quality book without breaking the bank.

Grammarly: This tool can help make your writing clearer and grammatically correct. It can act as an initial check before hiring a professional editor.

Canva: A user-friendly design tool that can assist in creating a basic cover design or marketing materials for your book.

BookFunnel: An affordable platform for distributing ebooks directly to readers, which can be handy for sending out review copies.

MailChimp: A useful tool for managing your email list and sending out professional-looking newsletters.

Crowdfunding options

Crowdfunding is a way to raise funds for your self-publishing ventures. Its platforms offer a unique means of validating your book idea, pre-selling copies, and funding your publishing expenses through the collective effort of individual supporters. Here are some popular platforms that authors can use:

Kickstarter: Perhaps the most well-known crowdfunding site, Kickstarter has a specific section for publishing projects.

GoFundMe: GoFundMe is a widely used tool for all kinds of fundraising campaigns, including self-publishing.

Patreon: Patreon allows fans to fund your work on a recurring basis, providing a consistent income stream.

The Ex Why Zed Print Journey

Self-publishing a book can be overwhelming, whether you're a first-time author or have some experience under your belt. The process is time-consuming and often costly, and finding the right solutions can be a real challenge.

That's where Ex Why Zed comes in. We can turn your book ideas into reality without depending on traditional publishing methods, saving you time and money. This gives you full control over the book publishing process and gets your book to you in just a few days. With fair pricing, expert advice, and competitive quotes, we can help you make the most of your budget.

At Ex Why Zed provides high-quality printing across the UK. You can choose from various paper finishes, including uncoated silk or gloss, to keep costs down while maintaining quality.

Ready to get started? Get in touch with us now!

Conclusion

Understanding the cost of self-publishing is important for any author starting out with their first book. While it can be expensive, there are ways to save money and improve your publishing experience. 

Invest in professional services when needed, use free or low-cost tools where possible, and keep going. The thrill of seeing your print book and sharing your story with the world is worth the investment. 

Whether you're writing a novel, a guide, a children's book, or poetry, don't let anything stop you from achieving your publishing goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost to self-publish a book in 2024 and beyond?

The average book cost to self-publish in 2024 ranges depending on the print spec of the book. Consider the size, number of pages and quantity. Expenses include editing, formatting, book design from a book designer and cover, ISBN registration, book marketing, and print-on-demand costs. Actual costs will depend on various factors like word count, quality required, and individual needs.

Is it possible to self-publish a book for free?

While you can use various free tools for book creation, it is nearly impossible to self-publish a book entirely for free. High-quality editing, professional cover designs, ISBN registration, marketing, and even printing have costs. At Ex Why Zed our prices are fair and enable you to make a decent profit on your project.

How do self-published authors make money?

Self-published authors make money by selling their books directly to a wide audience of readers, often via online retail platforms like Amazon KDP, Lulu, or Apple iBooks. They have control over the pricing of their books and earn a percentage of each sale, called royalties, which is their primary income.

Are there alternatives to traditional and self-publishing?

Yes, apart from traditional and self-publishing there's also the option of hybrid publishing–a middle-ground that combines aspects of both which is the best fit for many. In hybrid publishing, authors contribute upfront costs in return for higher royalties while also enjoying some of the publishing services and distribution associated with the traditional publishing industries.

How can I manage my self-publishing expenses wisely?

Managing self-publishing costs means budgeting carefully and focusing on key services like editing and cover design. Use affordable tools for tasks like formatting and take advantage of free marketing through social media and other platforms. 

How much does it cost to self-publish a poetry book?

Costs can vary to self-publish a poetry book. Factors like book-length, cover design, and distribution influence expenses.

Examples like Shooter Literary Magazine, Cunning Folk and Popshot provide inspiration to peers looking to attack this market.