| On of the big concerns people have regarding | | | | - Formatting/Interior Layout - $149 - $750. Once |
| self-publishing their newly completed book is cost. | | | | again depends on how much work needs to be |
| How much is this going to cost me? It's a valid | | | | done and who you hire. POD companies have |
| concern and there are many different opinions. In | | | | several templates to choose from. An |
| which format do you want to publish - e-book, | | | | independent publisher may cost slightly more but |
| paperback, hard cover? Are you trying to make a | | | | your format/layout will be just like a traditionally |
| living as an author? Is this just a hobby? Is your | | | | published book. |
| book for family and friends? Do you want to be | | | | - Cover Design - $100 - $1000. What type of |
| famous with readers all over the world? The | | | | cover do you need/want? A totally custom cover |
| answers to these questions will help determine | | | | will cost significantly more than a cover based on |
| the cost. | | | | a simple template. |
| Publishing your book as an e-book is the least | | | | - Printing - $2.00 - $20.00 a copy or more. This |
| expensive way to publish. E-books can be | | | | could be the most expensive cost you will incur. |
| published for free in some cases. Although, most | | | | This is cost is based on: number of pages, page |
| people incur some cost. To sell your book as an | | | | size, type of paper used and last but not least - |
| e-book all one needs to do is convert the | | | | the number of copies printed. Discounts are given |
| manuscript into a PDF and set up a way for | | | | as the quantities increase. It is cheaper to use |
| customers to pay for and download your book. | | | | digital printing up to 250-500 copies depending on |
| I am going to list all the steps involved in | | | | the printer and offset printing for 500 copies or |
| producing a professional book and a range of their | | | | more. It is not uncommon for authors to print |
| costs. What you actually pay will depend on what | | | | 1000-2500 copies on their book. |
| you can do for yourself, how you outsource what | | | | As a general cost range for someone that wants |
| you need to have done and whether or not you | | | | to independently publish their book (not POD), |
| purchase a publishing package utilizing an | | | | prepare to spend between $2500 - $6500. That |
| independent publisher, print-on-demand (POD) or a | | | | should allow you to produce a professional book |
| vanity press. | | | | and receive between 250-1000 paperback copies |
| - ISBN - $40 - $125. If you plan on selling your | | | | of your books. |
| book through bookstores or online stores such as | | | | If you use a vanity press or POD publisher your |
| Amazon your book needs to have an ISBN. | | | | price range will be between a few hundred dollars |
| These can be purchased directly from Bowker or | | | | up to $10,000 or more. On the low end you will |
| one can be assigned from a variety of publishing | | | | receive 0-5 copies of your book and on the high |
| companies. Sometimes included for "free" in | | | | end you will receive a number of paperback |
| publishing packages | | | | copies, a few hard covers and one leather bound |
| - Bar Code - $25 - $50. Selling your books in | | | | copy as well as a number of marketing tools. |
| traditional brick and mortar bookstores require | | | | E-book publishing can be free or close to free up |
| that your book have a bar code. | | | | to several thousand dollars for someone that |
| - Editing - $.025 - $.12 per word. This price varies | | | | needs extensive editing, proofing, interior and |
| greatly depending on how extensive and the type | | | | cover design. |
| of editing you need. | | | | It is your money and your book. Define your |
| - Proof-Reading - $199 - $500 or more. Varies | | | | publishing objective first and research all costs |
| based on your connections and how long your | | | | prior to spending any money. I wish you much |
| book is. | | | | success with the publication of your new book. |