How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book in 2024?

Do you know how much a book costs to publish?

It usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000 to publish a book in 2024

This can include hiring an editor, proofreader, book designer services, and marketing.

The average self-published book costs about $3,000.

Book publication has lived through a sea change from its inception to the present day, becoming progressively accessible to would-be authors.

Publishing a book in the day was a painstaking and costly endeavour, usually restricted to the privileged few with the means and the right connections.

The process involved intricate manual typesetting and expensive printing presses, making it nearly impossible for anyone with little to zero resources to showcase their book to a world hungry for information and entertainment.

The strenuous journey from manuscript to bookstore was fraught with challenges back then.

Apart from the exorbitant cost of printing, budding authors had no choice but to go through the labyrinthine world of publishing houses, literary agents, and sometimes, the harsh judgement of stakeholders who controlled what kind of literature made it to the shelves.

In a way, the existence of a systemic barrier made it easier for demand and supply to meet, but it also posed a roadblock in the way of talented authors who just couldn’t get a break.

What’s Changed Since Then?

Digital printing and the internet have made far-reaching changes to how books are published and consumed.

Thanks to cost-saving printing technologies, authors now have more room and opportunity to publish books without spending a fortune or going through an expensive publishing house.

They now bring with them the liberty to self-publish their manuscripts with far less financial burden than before.

Average Cost of Publishing a Book in 2024

We talked about how the new era brings forth conveniences in book publishing.

But it doesn’t mean it’s become cost-free.

The average cost will vary depending on the kind of book you’re publishing, but it can still burn a hole in your pocket.

Depending on the path chosen, self-publishing will make you spend anywhere from $100 to over $20,000.

Traditional publishing, in contrast, involves little to no upfront expenses.

But the catch is you’ll have to give up a significant share of your royalties, not to mention the lack of control over how your book is produced, marketed, and sold.

We’ve seen dramatic cost differences over the decades.

In the past, authors faced steep expenses, with the cost of publishing a book often running into thousands of dollars, considering the printing, binding, and distribution costs.

The process also included miscellaneous spending, i.e., content editing, cover designing, and typesetting.

But with the digital printing and self-publishing platform combination introduced in the past decade, producing a book has become far more accessible than before, and authors no longer have to break the bank just to publish.

While costs will vary, the lower end of self-publishing can start from as little as $100.

The reason for this is that there no longer are overhead costs linked to distribution and printing.

With content editing, cover design, and typesetting factored in, it’s possible that authors get to spend a few hundred dollars to produce their books.

Factoring In A Book’s Length and Quality

The equation is quite straightforward when it comes to book length – the longer the book, the higher the cost.

Print books mean more pages to print, resulting in higher printing and binding costs.

For eBooks, while there are no printing costs, a longer book still means more time needed for the usual chores, i.e., editing, proofreading, and formatting, all of which can increase the cost.

If you’re self-publishing, you’ll often pay an editor by the word or page. So, you’d expect to shell out more for a longer book as it’ll require a larger budget for editing.

The same goes for cover design; a larger book may require a larger or more complex cover design, potentially increasing the cost.

The quality of your book directly affects your publishing budget, too.

For instance, authors who opt for comprehensive professional services, including, but not limited to:

• editorial assessments,
• copy editing,
• proofreading,
•  custom cover design
• marketing
• publicly

You must also invest in good-quality paper and printing methods to aim for a high-quality print book.

While it might be tempting to cut corners to save money, remember that the quality of your book reflects on you as an author.

If the book is poorly edited or has a cheap-looking cover, it will disappoint readers, even if the content inside is worth the read.

Some authors are more prone to spending more money than others due to their publishing goals and financial resources.

For example, an author who aims to reach a wide audience and has the financial means may be more willing to spend more on professional services and extensive marketing. Conversely, an author with a tight budget may manage as many aspects as possible to save on costs.

Genre of Book

There exists a discrepancy in the cost of publishing a book depending on its genre, and it arises from the different needs and requirements that each genre entails.

To illustrate, let’s look at a children’s picture book –  since these books require original illustrations, authors may have to hire an illustrator or purchase royalty-free images. This could add up to the overall publishing cost for this genre.

On the other hand, novels often involve different kinds of editing and formatting services that might not be required for genres such as self-help, business books, or cookbooks. As such, it’s likely to incur higher costs.

Genres like poetry and short stories are expected to be less expensive to publish.

These books are often shorter, leading to reduced editing, formatting, and printing costs. However, the market for these genres is typically smaller, affecting overall profitability.

Fiction, being a highly popular genre, can be cost-effective or expensive depending on the length of the book and the extent of miscellaneous expenses involved, i.e., editing, cover design, marketing, and more.

Books in the fantasy or science fiction genre, often longer, may incur higher editing costs.

Non-fiction genres like biographies or business books may see additional costs for fact-checking, permissions for quoted materials, or even legal reviews. These complexities often increase the cost of publishing.

The reason is obvious: more resources are needed to ensure the accuracy and reliability of facts.

You probably have noticed that some genres have more potential for higher returns than others.

This means that they may require a bigger investment to get the desired results.

For instance, authors willing to invest in professional services and marketing may see a better return on books with longer shelf life, such as business or self-help books.

Of course, there are ways to reduce publishing costs without sacrificing quality. One of the most popular approaches is to hire freelancers or take advantage of web-based services such as those offered by self-publishing platforms.

Types of Professional Editing and How Much They’ll Cost

Every manuscript must go through editing. This process isn’t merely an option – it’s meant for the entirety of the manuscript to be accurate and ready for publication.

Copyediting, editorial assessment, and proofreading are the three primary types of professional editing that authors should consider. The reason why we should break down each type is that they will cost differently.

Copy editing’s focus is making your book as readable as possible by examining grammar, consistency, punctuation, and spelling. It’s a hands-on process involving corrections and suggestions for improving clarity and flow.

The cost of copyediting will vary, but the average rate ranges from $0.02 to $0.05 per word.

Editorial assessment refers to the meticulous evaluation of your manuscript that furnishes a detailed report on a number of elements, i.e., dialogue, plot structure, character development, and pacing.

You will be afforded a larger perspective of your book’s strengths and weaknesses and actionable advice for improvement.

The average cost of a book editor ranges from $1000 to $1500.

This is largely depending on the manuscript’s length and complexity.

Proofreading is typically the final stage of editing.

It focuses on finding and correcting minor errors that wouldn’t have been found during copyediting. It includes typos, missed punctuation, and formatting inconsistencies.

It’s not as in-depth as copyediting, but it’s still crucial for polishing your book and ensuring it’s professionally presented.

Proofreading services range from $0.01 to $0.03 per word.

Cost of A Book Cover For A Book

The cost of a book cover design is $300 to $1500.

A book’s cover is a representation of its contents and a key factor in readers’ decision-making when browsing shelves.

This is enough reason to invest in an attractive cover design with the purpose of making your book stand out but in a positive way.

Traditionally, you’re looking at factors like type of paper, size, image quality, and layout.

When considering a paperback vs. hardback cover design, the critical difference lies in the sturdiness and the associated aesthetic feel.

Hardback books will need a more elaborate design process because of the dust jacket that wraps around the book cover.

The jacket is there to provide an additional space for designing.

It’s why you’ll often see the inner flaps of these titles carrying information about the book and the author. The exterior, spine, and interior design are all part of the process.

That said, you expect to pay more for hardback cover designs than paperbacks, with prices ranging from $500 to $2000. You may even be required to pay more if you hire a renowned cover designer.

On the other hand, paperbacks consist of a simpler design, typically a front and back cover and a spine.

But then again, the final cost will depend upon the designer’s experience and design intricacy.

eBook cover designs are the simplest, making them the least expensive.

The job includes a front cover design minus the back cover or spine.

An eBook cover costs between $100 and $700.

Remember that the eBook cover design must be crisp and impressive even when viewed as a small thumbnail.

This is because digital platforms such as Amazon or Apple Books display the covers in small sizes.

And just when you thought your expenditures had come to an end after the cover design, there’s marketing.

Book Marketing Cost

The cost for book marketing can range anywhere from $0 to $30,000 depending on how much you want to spend. 

This has to be an integral part of the book publishing endeavour because it makes zero sense to publish a book when no one even knows it exists.

Marketing your book requires a budget.

You must decide which marketing methods and platforms you’ll use, i.e., social media, email lists, book tours, blogs, podcasts, etc.

When creating a budget for these activities, see to it that the money allocated is enough to cover each medium’s cost while ensuring it can yield a return on investment.

It’s common for authors to spend anywhere from $100 to $1000 on book marketing, with the cost usually depending upon medium usage.

If you choose the traditional publishing route, you’ll be glad to know that some publishers are open to negotiations when it comes to marketing.

The truth is the biggest publishers out there will take care of every aspect of book marketing, and they won’t expect you to pay them a dime.

But then again, being signed by one of the biggest publishing houses isn’t exactly easy.

For self-publishing authors, marketing a book isn’t as straightforward and requires more work.

The good news is that there are options such as corresponding with book reviewers, organizing giveaways or promotions, and partnering with influencers. Some authors even take advantage of free tools for marketing their books.

There’s no shortage of these tools online, and all you have to do is choose which ones are in line with the direction you wish to take when it comes to marketing.

Last Thoughts On How Much It Costs To Publish A Book 

Ultimately, no matter which route you fancy, publishing a book requires some financial investment.

All prospective income-generating forays require costs, and publishing your book is no different. It’s a business decision you must make, and once you decide it’s worth the try, the cost should no longer become an issue.