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For new and struggling authors, getting a book published on a budget might feel like the answer, but is it really? What can you expect to pay to publish a book yourself, and how much cost-cutting is actually advisable?
Self-publishing can be done cheaply or well, but rarely both. While cost-cutting is fine, there’s a big difference between being “cleverly thrifty” and “disastrously stingy”. The key is knowing when to DIY and when to hire experts.
I’ve cut a corner or two in my own publishing journey, but I always handed over the critical parts to professionals. A haphazard approach may lead your hard work into the void of forgotten, unsold books. In a crowded marketplace, a poorly crafted book will only get ignored.
It’s tempting to save, but what’s the alternative? A half-baked book that readers avoid. Invest wisely in the essentials, or risk your book being buried in the depths of your KDP dashboard.
Here’s a breakdown of essential costs, DIY options, and rough averages to help you budget for your book without breaking the bank.
1. Writing & Development Costs
Budgeting Cost Estimate
Mostly free, unless hiring a book coach ($500–$5,000) or a ghostwriter ($1,000 upwards).
DIY?
Yes, it can be—but accountability helps.
Writing & Development Overview
Your biggest investment here is time. If you need guidance, hiring a book coach or developmental editor can help shape your book from the start. But if you’re disciplined, free tools like writing communities, beta readers, and writing software (Scrivener, Google Docs) can keep you on track.
Always start with research and an outline.
2. Editing: The Non-Negotiable Expense
Budgeting Cost Estimate
$500–$3,000+ (varies by type of editing).
DIY?
Only for the first pass. A professional edit is essential.
Editing Overview
Editing is where many self-publishers make their biggest mistake: thinking they can self-edit. You can (and should) revise your draft first, but professional editing is crucial.
Self-editing is risky due to cognitive biases like familiarity blindness and confirmation bias, which cause writers to miss errors and inconsistencies. A professional editor offers fresh eyes, catching not only grammar mistakes but also narrative flaws and pacing issues. While self-editing is essential, relying solely on it is like proofreading in a fog—essential issues are often overlooked until a reader spots them.
Here’s what editing typically costs:
- Developmental editing: $1,000–$3,000+ (big-picture structure, pacing, and clarity)
- Copyediting: $500–$2,000 (sentence-level fixes, grammar, consistency)
- Proofreading: $300–$1,000 (final polish for typos and small errors)
Money-saving tip: if a full edit isn’t in the budget, consider beta readers plus Grammarly or ProWritingAid for an initial cleanup.
3. Cover Design: First Impressions Matter
Budgeting Cost Estimate
$50–$1,500+.
DIY?
Not recommended unless you have strong design skills.
Cover Design Overview
Your cover sells your book before anyone reads a word. A homemade cover screams “Amateur!” so this is one area where investing makes sense.
And no, it is not as simple as finding a nice graphic and popping it into Canva.
A professional book cover is more than just a design; it’s a marketing tool based on design principles, consumer psychology, and genre-specific cues. A poorly-designed cover can confuse or repel your target audience. Professional designers ensure typography, colour, and composition are not only visually appealing but also legible across formats. A DIY cover using stock images or templates may seem cost-effective but often results in an amateur look, signalling low quality and turning readers away before they even read the blurb.
- Pre-made covers: $50–$300 (affordable but not unique)
- Freelance designer: $300–$1,500 (custom cover)
- High-end professionals: $1,500+ (for market-competitive design)
Cover DIY Options
If you must DIY, use Canva Pro ($13/month) and study successful book covers in your genre for design inspiration. Read up on how to design a book cover yourself here.
4. Formatting & Interior Design
Budgeting Cost Estimate
$0–$500.
DIY?
Yes, with the right tools.
Formatting & Interior Design Overview
Interior formatting isn’t just about making the text neat—it’s about creating a smooth reading experience. Incorrect margins, trim sizes, gutters, fonts, or layout can result in a poor reading experience. Tools like Vellum or Atticus can help you achieve a professional look at a reasonable cost. However, if your budget allows, a professional formatter will ensure your book adheres to industry standards across both eBook and print formats.Top of FormBottom of Form
Professional typesetting ensures your book looks polished, but if you’re tech-savvy, you can format it yourself. Professional formatting costs typically amount to $100–$500 for eBook plus print formatting.
Formatting DIY Tools
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- Vellum ($250 one-time)—Mac users only.
- Atticus ($147 one-time)—PC & Mac.
- Scrivener or Kindle Create (free but limited).
5. ISBNs & Publishing Fees
Budgeting Cost Estimate
$0–$125 per ISBN (varies by country).
DIY?
Yes. Buy your own ISBN to maintain control.
ISBN & Publishing Fees Overview
- Amazon KDP: free to publish, but Amazon assigns a free ISBN (not recommended for wide distribution).
- Bowker (USA): $125 for one ISBN, $295 for ten.
- Other countries: ISBNs may be free (UK, RSA, Canada) or low-cost.
6. Marketing & Promotion
Budgeting Cost Estimate
$0–$5,000+ (varies by strategy).
DIY?
Yes, but targeted ad spend helps.
Marketing & Promotion Overview
Marketing is where budgets vary wildly. A few options:
- DIY social media marketing (free, but time-intensive).
- Amazon/Facebook ads ($5–$50 per day, test small budgets first).
- BookBub featured deals ($100–$1,000, highly competitive).
- Press releases, blog tours, or influencers ($100–$500).
Money-saving tip: Focus on organic growth (social media, email lists, networking) before investing heavily in ads.
Total Budget Breakdown: Low, Mid, & High Ranges*
| DIY / Low Budget | Mid-Range | High-End | Per Word Rate | |
| Writing | Free | Free – $500 | $5,000+ (book coach) | $0.10 – $1.50 per word |
| Editing | Free – $300 (beta readers/low-end editors + software) | $500 – $1,500 | $3,000+ | $0.02 – $0.15 per word |
| Cover Design | $50 – $100 (DIY tools) | $300 – $800 (freelance) | $1,500+ | N/A (typically priced per project) |
| Formatting | Free – $250 (software) | $100 – $300 | $500+ | N/A (typically priced per project) |
| ISBNs | Free – $125 | $125 – $295 | $295+ | N/A |
| Marketing | Free – $200 | $500 – $2,000 | $5,000+ | N/A |
| TOTAL | $50 – $500 | $1,500 – $5,000 | $10,000+ |
N.B. Some services, like cover design, formatting, ISBNs, and marketing, are generally priced per project rather than per word, so no per-word rates are provided for those.
*South African rates come in at a bit less than their international equivalents. Contact us for more info on that and/or to get our local rates.
Final Thoughts: Spend Smart, Not Recklessly
Self-publishing is an investment. While cutting every cost possible might sound appealing, cheap books look cheap—and they don’t sell well.
Top Priorities
- Editing (your biggest investment).
- Cover design (your book’s first impression).
- Marketing (because a book with no readers isn’t a success).
If you’re on a shoestring budget, start with free/low-cost tools and invest more as you grow. And remember, you don’t have to do it all at once—pace yourself and plan strategically.
Need help with editing, cover design, or publishing support? Harvard Ink offers professional services to help you publish a book that sells. Reach out today!
Photos (in order) by:
- Oleksandr Pidvalnyi, 2021, Pixabay.
- Stefan Keller, 2017, Pixabay.
- Startup Stock Photos, 2015, Pixabay.
