So You Think You Want to Publish a Book
By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Book Coach-Speaker
What a great dream! If your dream is a dream to publish a book, get ready for the most encouraging and truthful news. A key question you might have is: What are the real self-publishing costs to publish a book, and it is really free? On this site, I offer many tools, tricks, and tips to teach how to publish a book inexpensively, yet professionally.
First, let me explain why you may want to listen to me. Having immersed me in the brave new world of self-publishing for the past 10 years as an author/publisher, I can share a massive amount of experience, knowledge, and information on how to publish a book.
Why I am an Expert Book Publishing Coach
If you understand both the long-term and short-term value of having a publishing coach, sign up for my complimentary coaching session. In my career prior to self-publishing, I traversed the printing, publishing, advertising, and marketing industries for decades. I ran a small ad agency that specialized in promotional items, printing, and a multitude of marketing and events projects.
While creating promotional campaigns, I learned printing and imprinting thoroughly and used some 85 printing processes onto hundreds of different surfaces—including glass, metal, plastics, woods, and papers of course—booklets, brochures, business cards, and books. Additionally, I worked for a traditional publishing house for close to three years and experienced book publishing from an inside perspective. Presently, I work as an author and publishing coach, teaching inside secrets to clients who want to glide through independent publishing smoothly, inexpensively, without frustration or embarrassment! I am well-qualified to teach a multitude of strategies about how to publish a book!
How to Publish a Book & What are the Real Self-Publishing Costs?
I know the inside scoop on all the printing and publishing processes—both old school and new-tech ways. So let’s get to it. We are going to start with the good, the bad, and the ugly of the independent publishing industry.
The Good: Self Pubishing’s Lack of Rejection
Self-Publishing’s big plus is the lack of rejection letters. Hurray! You won’t get any of them; and you won’t waste time getting them, either! Self-publishing with print on demand is doable and affordable, but check the real self-publishing costs before diving in. See an informative article about the realities of the time-consuming rejection process: Top 10 Rejected Best-selling Authors.
The Bad: How to Sell Your Self-Published Books?
Maybe you should have gotten that rejection letter. Now that you have published your book, you don’t know how to sell it!
The Ugly: It is not Free to Self-Publish!
Although Self-publishing is difficult and time-consuming, it is no longer nearly impossible to become a published author. Carefully consider these three basic steps to publishing a book in physical form: write your book, publish your book, and sell your book. And it is NOT FREE! Get that out of your head right now. If a self-publishing company tells you it is free, they are not telling you the whole story. So read on to learn more details for what you can expect the real self-publishing costs to be.
Free Self-Publishing accounts are Free—But that is Where it Stops.
It may be “free” to sign up for a print-on-demand account, an ISBN number may even be free, but those websites do not actually teach you how to publish a book. That is left up to you! At some point, you are going to have to pay a piper, somewhere, sometime. That won’t be a pretty sight if not prepared in advance. I want to help you avoid finding yourself stranded in the middle of a publishing project, hopes dashed; and unable to publish due to lack of time, money, and other resources.
I explain to my publishing coaching clients and students that to write and publish a book is not for the faint of heart. Compared to having a baby, in many ways it is more difficult. Compare self-publishing to having AND raising a child. If not approached with a clear head and an honest heart, publishing can be extraordinarily expensive, the technical details could cause you to lose your mind; and if not properly budgeted, could even cause you to go broke!
Having said that, knowing how to publish a book using print on demand printing is miraculous compared to the days when there was no choice but to go through a traditional publishing house; and use an ordinary printing press. In fact, it is doable and affordable. And becoming a published author is a dream come true, absolutely exhilarating.
What are the Costs of Self-Publishing a Book?
The following figures are ranges; assuming you would go through the same processes that a professional publishing company. However, various estimated costs of self-publishing are detailed as follows:
EDITORIAL: Three editorial phases, content edit, copy-edit and final proofreading.
TOTAL EDITORIAL COST is about $750-$2400, depends on the length of the book.
- BOOK COVER: Three phases, including front and back cover graphic design, the writer’s bio with Author Photo, and the “sales synopsis” of the book on the back cover.
TOTAL BOOK COVER COST about $200-$1500, depends on the intricacy of cover design.
- INTERIOR DESIGN: Three phases, including font, header, and divider page design, image and graphic element design and placement, interior digital file preparation to printing specification.
TOTAL INTERIOR LAYOUT AND DESIGN COST, about $500-$2000, depends on the length and complication of design and graphic elements included.
How to Cut Self-Publishing Costs
Obviously, there are many ways to decrease self-publishing costs. At Publishing SOLO, we use tools such as Book Cover Design Template, and Interior Design Concept Worksheet. Thus, these tools completely plan the look and the placement of graphic elements, copy, and images before turning it over to the designer who charges by the hour. By using these tools thoroughly, the time the graphic artist takes to produce a digital file to print specifications can be as little as one hour for a book cover, and 5-10 hours for an interior design, depending on the size and complexity of the book.
RELATED ARTICLE: Necessary Self-Publishing Services
Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?
Look no further. Indeed, this potent detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Notably, once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! Furthermore, this unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through digital publishing step-by-step. Moreover, you won’t need your completed manuscript!
Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week
very informative (great picture by the way) I would go on you’re site again if I had another question about the subject matter thank you