The short answer
Most professionally self-published books cost roughly $1,500 to $5,000. A short, clean non-fiction book with a simple cover can come in under that; a long novel needing a developmental edit, or an illustrated children's book, can cost considerably more. Editing and cover design usually take 60–80% of the budget.
| Budget level | Typical total | What it usually includes |
|---|---|---|
| Lean | $800–$1,800 | Copyedit or proofread, pre-made or simple custom cover, template formatting, Amazon-only |
| Standard | $2,000–$5,000 | Copyedit + proofread, custom print and eBook cover, professional formatting, own ISBNs, wide distribution |
| Premium | $5,000–$12,000+ | Developmental edit, copyedit, proofread, custom illustrated cover, complex interior, audiobook or launch marketing |
Use the budget builder at the bottom of this guide to price your own combination.
Cost by service
Editing
Editing is usually priced per word. For an 80,000-word manuscript, typical market ranges are:
| Type | Typical rate | 80,000 words |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental edit | 3–6¢ per word | $2,400–$4,800 |
| Line edit | 2.5–5¢ per word | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Copyedit | 1.5–3.5¢ per word | $1,200–$2,800 |
| Proofread | 0.8–1.8¢ per word | $640–$1,440 |
Not every book needs every edit. If you are unsure, a manuscript evaluation or a free sample edit will tell you which level fits.
Cover design
A custom cover from an experienced designer typically costs $500–$1,500 for print and eBook, with the median around the high hundreds. Pre-made covers cost less ($100–$300) and can work well in some genres. Illustrated covers, especially fantasy and children's books, cost more. See our cover design service and free spine calculator.
Formatting
Professional formatting for a text-only novel is usually $200–$700 for print and eBook. Books with images, tables or footnotes cost more. Software like Vellum (about $250, Mac only) or Atticus (about $150) is a good DIY option for simple novels.
ISBN costs by country
You need one ISBN per format (paperback, hardcover, eBook, audiobook — although many eBook and audio stores don't require one).
| Country | Agency | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Bowker | $125 for one, $295 for ten |
| United Kingdom | Nielsen | About £93 for one, £174 for ten |
| Canada | Library and Archives Canada | Free |
| Australia | Thorpe-Bowker | From about AU$44 for one; discounted blocks |
If you'll publish more than one format or book, a block of ten almost always works out cheaper. Read the country guides for US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Illustration, audiobooks and marketing
Children's picture books: illustration is the biggest cost — often several thousand dollars for a 32-page book, depending on the number of spreads and the style. Plan your picture book.
Audiobooks: narrators typically charge about $150–$400 per finished hour, and a finished hour is roughly 9,300 words. An 80,000-word book runs about 8.5 hours. Royalty share avoids the upfront cost but splits royalties for seven years. Compare both options.
Marketing: a launch can run from a few hundred dollars (advance copies, a price promotion, small ad tests) to several thousand. The right budget depends on your royalty per sale — our ads calculator shows your break-even point.
Where to save — and where not to
Don't cut: editing and the cover. Readers forgive a lot, but not typos on page one or a cover that signals the wrong genre.
- Save on formatting if your book is a straightforward novel — software does a good job.
- Start with eBook and paperback. Add hardcover and audio once the book proves itself.
- Buy ISBNs in a block of ten if you'll publish more than two formats or books.
- Skip trailers, press releases and "guaranteed" review packages. They rarely pay back.
- Get a manuscript evaluation before a full developmental edit if you're unsure the book is ready.
Pricing red flags
- "All-inclusive" packages under $1,000 that include editing, a custom cover, formatting and marketing.
- Countdown timers and "50% off — this month only" discounts that never end.
- Anyone who keeps your KDP login or takes a percentage of your royalties.
- Full payment up front for work that will take months.
- Promises of bestseller status, sales numbers, or a film deal.
Typical market range
- Copyedit
- $1,200–$2,800
- Proofread
- $640–$1,440
- Custom cover (print + eBook)
- $500–$1,500
- Interior formatting
- $200–$700
- ISBNs (US, 10-pack)
- $295
Ranges reflect published 2026 market rates for experienced freelancers and agencies (USD). They're a planning guide, not our price list — we quote a fixed price after seeing your manuscript.
Get a fixed quote for my bookFrequently asked questions
Can I self-publish a book for free?
Technically yes: KDP and IngramSpark charge nothing to upload (IngramSpark has occasional fees for revisions in some cases). But a book without professional editing and a genre-appropriate cover rarely sells, so most serious authors budget for at least those.
What is the most important thing to spend money on?
Editing and the cover. The cover earns the click; editing earns the reviews. Together they usually make up well over half of a sensible budget.
Is a $499 all-inclusive publishing package worth it?
Be careful. At that price, editing is usually a quick spell-check and the cover a template. Ask exactly what is included and who does the work.
Do I need to pay for my ISBN?
In the US, UK and Australia, yes, if you want your own. In Canada, ISBNs are free. Amazon offers a free ISBN, but it only works on Amazon and lists Amazon as the publisher.
How much should I budget for marketing?
It depends on your royalty per sale and whether you have a series. Test small — a few hundred dollars — and increase only when you can see ads paying back.
Sources
- Reedsy — cost of self-publishing research
- Bowker — US ISBN prices
- Nielsen ISBN Store — UK ISBN prices
- Thorpe-Bowker — Australian ISBNs
- Library and Archives Canada — ISBN
- Amazon KDP Help — printing costs and royalties
- ACX — audiobook production
Rules and prices change. We review this guide regularly, but always confirm with the official source before you act. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Want a fixed price for your book?
Share your word count and goals — we'll quote exactly what you need, nothing more.