Understanding publishing costs

The time you spent researching and planning your book, plus the hours it took you to organize and write your manuscript--think of these as your donation to your publishing company.

Now you need money to launch your book...

1. Travel, telephone and other costs involved in obtaining information for your book

Keep track of all of your book-related business expenses. If you drive to the Post Office to pick up your business mail and stop by at the grocery store on your way home, your mileage to and from the PO is deductible. Get in the habit of never going anywhere without a book business purpose linked to your trip.

2. Pre-press services

Approximately 30 to 50 percent of your total book production costs will go to pay for preparing your book for printing. Of that amount, approximately one-third should go for cover design. Finding a service that will handle editing, page design, and indexing in one step (rather than assigning the tasks to three different persons or departments) will save you money.

3. Production

Printing and binding costs vary with the number of pages, the quantity of books your order, the type of binding (paperback, hard cover, spiral etc) and other "specs" (specifications) for your book. Ask your publishing consultant for a total price including pre-press and production costs based on the specs for your book.

4. Marketing and promotion

For every $100 you spend on producing your book, the rule of thumb is to spend $20 promoting it, although a book that requires intensive marketing may cost you as much as it does to print and bind the book. If your book has a tight fit with the market (they need it, they want it, they're asking for it), you may have few if any marketing costs.

Look for ways to promote your book without spending a lot of money, but even for "free" publicity, you still have to prepare your promotional packet and deliver it to the right person. Our site of promotion ideas for your book, includes 25-plus tips for low-cost and free promotion.

Let us hear from you. Everything we've learned about self-publishing we've learned from you, the energetic authors who make our work so interesting and rewarding. Call us at 800 359-9503 or 208 454-9553. Send email (hodi@mindspring.com). Let's talk.

With Griffith Publishing it's a better book. Call us today!
800 359-9503