How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?

A very common question as writers are moving toward having a completed manuscript is: how much does it cost to publish a book? The answer depends on your publishing path—traditional or self-publishing—and your goals for the book.

Here is an overview of book publication costs and what to consider as you bring your book to the market.

Traditional Publishing: What’s Covered, What’s Not

If you have a traditional publishing deal, the publisher typically covers major production costs including:

• Editing

• Cover design

• Formatting

• Printing

• Distribution

You may also receive an advance against royalties—an upfront payment based on projected book sales. However, marketing support is often limited, especially for debut authors, so you may still invest in:

• A publicist or PR firm

• Author website and branding

• Social media management

• Travel for events or conferences

Even with a publisher, expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on marketing, depending on your goals.

Self-Publishing: A Breakdown of Costs

Self-publishing puts you in control, but it also means covering every step of the process yourself—or hiring professionals to help.

Editing

Professional editing is crucial to ensure a polished final product. This can include developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting.
Estimated cost: $800–$5,000+ depending on length and level of editing needed.

Cover Design

A professionally designed cover signals quality to readers and retailers.
Estimated cost: $800–$1,500+

Interior Formatting (Typesetting)

Formatting ensures your book reads well on both digital and print platforms.
Estimated cost: $400–$900+

ISBN and Copyright Registration

You'll need an ISBN if you're publishing under your own imprint, and you may want to register your copyright.
Estimated cost:

• ISBN (in the U.S. via Bowker): $125 for one, or less $295 for 10. For each format of your book, you will need an ISBN. That includes a unique ISBN for hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audio book.

• Copyright registration (U.S.): $45–$65

Printing (if doing print-on-demand or offset)

Print-on-demand services like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark can keep upfront costs low.
Estimated cost: Varies per copy; usually $3–$8 per book

Marketing and Promotion

From email marketing to ads to book launch events, marketing is often where authors invest the most.
Estimated cost: $500–$5,000+ depending on strategy

Total Cost to Self-Publish a Book

On average, self-publishing can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on how much support you hire, the quality of services you invest in, and how much you do yourself.

Here are a few typical ranges:

• Bare-bones budget (DIY-heavy): $1,000–$1,500

• Professional quality on a budget: $2,800–$4,000

• Full-service, polished product: $5,000–$10,000+

Where to Invest

Not every service is worth skimping on. If you’re working with limited funds, prioritize:

• Editing: A clean, coherent story is non-negotiable.

• Cover design: First impressions matter.

• Formatting: Poor formatting leads to reader frustration.

Marketing can be scaled up over time, but these foundational pieces are key to your book’s success.

Publishing a book is both a creative and financial investment. Consider your long-term goals:

• Do you want to build a writing career?

• Are you publishing for a niche audience or as a passion project?

• Will you be writing more books?

Knowing your vision helps you decide where to spend and where to save. You are creating a product and for people to love it, it needs to be a polished book. This is an investment in your dream and the power of the story you have to tell.

Regardless of the path you choose, being informed about the true cost of publishing ensures you’re prepared—mentally, creatively, and financially—for the road ahead.