The Cost of Publishing a Book

Publishing a book is one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. That being said, it can quickly become one of the most expensive things you do.

If you're ready to publish a book, it's essential to understand what exactly you're spending money on. From editing costs to marketing costs, the cost of book publishing is more complicated than you may realize.

At The Unapologetic Voice House, we aspire to share stories highlighting female-driven stories with the world. In this article, we'll help you understand the real cost of book publishing, and even provide you with a list of our cost-effective publishing options.

4 Hidden Costs You Need to Be Aware Of:

Editing Costs

When it comes to publishing your book, you need a fresh pair of eyes to review it before sending it off, which is why it's crucial to invest in a professional editor with years of experience under their belt.

The cost of hiring an editor depends on the type of editing you need. Developmental editing will be the most expensive option since the editor will take an in-depth look at every part of your story.

Copy editing examines the mechanics of your story, which is why it falls somewhere in the middle. Since proofreading is the final step of the editing process, it will be the least expensive option. 

Other factors impact editing costs. If your manuscript has gone through several rounds of self-editing, it will likely cost less than a document that's nothing more than a rough draft.

Ultimately, the final cost of hiring a good editor can range up to $1,500, depending on the type of editing you're looking for and the experience level of the editor you hire.

Cover Design Costs

You should never judge a book by its cover, right? Of course – but when your cover is uninspired or lacks aesthetic appeal, it can be hard not to judge its contents. If you want to actually sell your book, you need to hire an experienced designer.

Like an editor, the cost of hiring a designer will depend on their experience level. The longer they've been working, and the more skills they have, the more expensive they'll be.

The style and complexity of your design, as well as the number of changes it undergoes, will impact the final cost. For high-quality cover design, you should expect to pay at least $1,000, if not more than that.

Formatting Costs

Formatting refers to the process of setting text onto a page. Whether hardback, paperback, or an eBook, multiple costs affect the final cost of formatting your book.

When you hire someone to format a book, their experience level, the length of your manuscript, and the number of images you need will dictate the final cost. For example, if you have a novel with no pictures, it'll be less expensive than a cookbook with many pictures.

Similar to your cover design, you'll probably end up paying at least $500 for high-quality professional formatting for your e-book. If you’re publishing a physical book, be prepared to pay $2,000 without photos and more for books with black and white photos.

Marketing Costs

Once you publish your book, you need to market it. After all, how else will you reach an audience and sell copies if no one knows about it?

Luckily, there are several different options for marketing your book. You can choose to promote your book on social media or sell it through your blog or an email newsletter. Regardless of your budget, there are many options to consider. Our recommendation is to budget at least $1,000 for marketing your book and be prepared for that amount to just cover a few basic marketing efforts. The final cost will likely depend upon how many marketing avenues you choose.

What is the Cost of Book Publishing with the Unapologetic Voice House?

Here at The Unapologetic Voice House, we understand publishing can be a challenging journey to navigate. The cost of book publishing can be confusing, especially if you don't have someone to guide you through the process.

We offer four different book publishing tracks to give authors the option of choosing the one that fits them best. Our publishing options include:

Track 1 is perfect for the author who wants to see their completed manuscript as a published book but doesn't need a full marketing or public relations plan.

Track 2 is intended for any author with a completed manuscript and a need for marketing and public relations support.

Track 3 is designed for the author with a manuscript that's edited, proofread, designed, and formatted and only needs someone to help distribute, publish, and market it.

Track 4 is the best option for authors who hope to publish their completed manuscript as an ebook and get it into readers' hands as quickly as possible.

As mentioned above, the cost of publishing your book depends on several factors. Therefore, the prices of our publishing options vary and will be discussed in your initial call.