PUBLISHING BUDGET

The Money Talk Every Writer Tries to Avoid

A step-by-step roadmap for planning, tracking, and surviving the real costs of publishing

Publishing a book is many things: exciting, scary, mysteriously sticky (ink? tears? who can say). But above all, it's expensive.

And yet, it doesn't have to be — not if you understand where the costs come from, why they matter, and how to plan them long before panic-buying ISBNs at midnight after a minor identity crisis.

This guide walks you through every cost you may encounter, across self-publishing, traditional publishing, and the murky middle bits where both paths overlap. If we've missed anything, or you think something else should be included, let us know!

Where relevant, you'll also be directed to the companion guides we have available so you're fully integrated into the publishing ecosystem.

Grab a cup of tea. You'll need it.

First Things First: Editing Is Not Optional

Before you budget for anything else, you budget for editing — and yes, this applies whether you want to self-publish or query traditionally.

Nobody — and I mean nobody — should submit or publish an unedited manuscript. Your future self will thank you. Your readers will thank you. Even the algorithm will give you a polite nod.

For a breakdown of editing stages, check out these guides:

→ Self Editing For Writers (to clean up before paying real money)
→ Plot Diagnostics & Revision (to get structural clarity before editing)
→ Working With Beta Readers (free feedback before paid editing begins)

Once you've exhausted these, you'll still need professional editing. Budget accordingly.

Part One: The Universal Pre-Publishing Costs

This applies to everyone, whether self-publishing or going the traditional route.

1. Editing (Developmental, Copyediting & Proofreading)

The big one. The cost that makes writers question their life choices, their hobbies, and occasionally capitalism.

Typical UK ranges:

Developmental editing: £600–£2,500+
Line editing: £500–£2,000
Copyediting: £300–£1,200
Proofreading: £250–£1000

Factors affecting cost:

Word count
Genre (fantasy? Prepare the wallet.)
Quality of writing (be honest to get an accurate quote or look at sample edits)
Editor experience

You can prepare yourselves by using the guides below:

→ Self Editing For Writers
→ Overcoming Writer's Block (because time is money and unfinished books cost nothing… except everything)

2. Beta Readers & Sensitivity Readers

Beta Readers:

Usually free — but time-intensive. Offer incentives.

Sensitivity Readers:

Paid specialists; expect £40–£300 depending on topic.

Worth every penny when writing outside lived experience.

We have a handy guide for Beta Readers, which includes a section on sensitivity readers:

→ Working With Beta Readers

3. Software & Tools

Depending on what your prefered writing method is, here are some costs you may pay for:

Scrivener (£47)
ProWritingAid (£30–£120/yr)
Atticus (£100–£150 one-off)
Canva Pro (£10–£12/m) — though note licensing restrictions discussed in:
→ Choosing The Right Cover
Vellum (£220–£250, Mac only)
Hemingway or Grammarly (optional, but handy in self-editing)

Budget for what you actually need, not what TikTok tells you.

4. ISBNs

In the UK, this is the moment that financially ruins people for sport.

Here is a breakdown of the costs:

1 ISBN = £93 (robbery)
10 ISBNs = £174
100 ISBNs = £387
1,000 ISBNs = £994 (because apparently numbers mean nothing)

You'll need one ISBN per format:

eBook
Paperback
Hardback

We cover everything to do with ISBNs here:

→ ISBNs Explained

5. Formatting Costs

Depending on whether you DIY, outsource, or use software:

DIY: free but time-consuming
Software: £50–£250
Professional formatter: £80–£500

If you have formatting issues, we've prepared (you guessed it)...

More guides:

→ eBook Troubleshooting
→ eBook Publishing Essentials

6. Metadata (Don’t Skip This One)

Because incorrectly labelled metadata is how your thriller ends up shelved under "gardening."

Metadata requires budgeting for:

Keyword research tools
Category analysis tools
Possibly market research books/courses

Our handy guide on Metadata can be found here:

→ Metadata Guide

Part Two: Self-Publishing Costs

1. Cover Design

A good cover is not optional.

A great cover is a marketing tool.

A bad cover is a warning sign that screams "I didn't budget properly."

The costs can vary, but we've laid out the typical price range below:

Premade: £50–£300
Professional custom: £200–£1,000+
AI art: currently a copyright mess — avoid
DIY: cheap upfront, potentially costly in reputational damage

For more tips and tricks on designing your own, or picking an artist, check out the guide:

→ Choosing The Right Cover

2. Marketing (Organic & Paid)

Organic = free in money, costly in time.

Paid = costly in money, free in pride.

Budget considerations for marketing:

ARC copies (printing and postage costs if physical)
BookFunnel (£20–£100/yr)
Email platform (£0–£25/m)
Author website (£50–£200/yr hosting + domain)
Ads (Facebook/AMS/BookBub): £50–£200/m to start

We have two guides to help you through this:

→ Organic Book Promotion

→ Building an Author Brand

3. Print Costs

If printing, you will have some more costs to think about:

Author copies from KDP/IngramSpark (£3-£8, IngramSpark costs more, but provide higher quality)
Shipping (this depends on the your location)
Special editions (gold foil costs more because capitalism likes shiny things)
Launch events buying stock

4. Distribution Fees

KDP takes ~30–65% depending on format.

IngramSpark takes wholesale cuts.

No upfront cost, but crucial for budgeting royalty expectations

5. Professional Extras (Optional but Helpful)

Sensitivity reading (£40-£300)
Legal review (crime/legal thrillers - you can find some good Facebook groups with retired/current experts who are open to questions, which is free!)
Illustrator for maps / fantasy extras (£50–£500)

Part Three: Traditional Publishing Costs (Yes, There Are Costs)

Even though publishers cover editing, cover design, printing, distribution, and marketing, authors can still expect to spend money.

1. Querying Costs

Printing & postage (if required)
Submittable fees (some lit mags or competitions)

2. Author Platform

Even traditional publishers now expect authors to:

Have social media
Run a newsletter
Attend events
Promote themselves

These require:

Website hosting
Mailing software
Branding assets

All of the above cost time and money – how much depends on your budget and your willingness to procrastinate.

3. Travel & Events

Festival fees, travel, hotels, book signings.

Trad pub expects authors to participate.

Costs vary wildly, but you could try and recoup these as expenses.

Part Four: Hidden, Sneaky, Easily Forgotten Costs

1. Accessibility & Specialist Needs

Formatting accessible versions is optional, but worth considering (large print, dyslexia-friendly fonts):

Extra ISBNs
Extra formatting time

2. Software Upgrades

Writing software updates, cloud storage, backups.

3. Proof Copies

KDP: £3–£8 each + shipping

IngramSpark: higher but better print quality

4. Professional Photography

Author headshots for website, press kits, social media: £50–£300. Again, you can do this yourself, but make sure they are high quality and professional, there are industry expected standards.

5. Time

Not financially measurable, but crucial.

A rushed book is never cheap — it just costs you later.

Part Five: Building Your Actual Budget

We've broken down all of the above into four sections to help you plan ahead:

1. Non-negotiables

Editing, cover design, ISBNs, formatting.

2. Industry Strongly Recommended

Website, ARC distribution, metadata tools, email marketing.

3. Optional but Useful

Ads, special editions, author photography.

4. Luxury Add-Ons

Maps, bespoke illustrations, fancy merch.

Part Six: Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

Traditional Publishing Saves You Money On:

Cover design
Editing
Printing
Distribution
Some marketing

BUT:

They still expect you to invest in:

Branding
Website
Travel
Sometimes even your own PR

Self-Publishing Costs More Upfront But Gives You:

Total creative control
More royalties
Ownership of your metadata
Control over pricing & promotions
Ability to pivot quickly based on reader behaviour

Part Seven: So Which Path Is Right for Your Budget?

Choose Traditional Publishing If:

You don't want heavy upfront costs
You want editorial/marketing support (although a good editor should provide you support even if self-publishing)
You're patient
You write within clear, marketable genre trends

Choose Self-Publishing If:

You want control
You're entrepreneurial
You're willing to invest in professional production

Both Require:

Editing
Brand building
Marketing
Patience
Resilience

Final Thoughts: Your Budget Is a Map, Not a Trap

Publishing costs money — but budgeting makes it predictable rather than terrifying. Your book deserves investment, yes, but it also deserves planning.

Use this guide to forecast before you spend, so the only surprise you get on launch day is how many people buy your book.

A profession, well-produced self-published book can cost you between £900-£4000. This seems like a lot, but it will pay for itself in the long run.

Stop guessing and start planning. Run your own numbers and download the worksheet before your bank balance files for divorce.