how much does it cost to publish a book

How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book? (Full Breakdown)

The cost to publish a book varies, but most authors spend between $500 and $5,000 depending on editing, design, and marketing.

Key Takeaways:

  • You can publish a book for as little as $500—but quality may suffer.

  • Expect to pay $1,500–$3,000 for a polished, professional result.

  • Editing is often the most expensive part.

  • Marketing costs vary based on your goals and platform.

  • Toronto Education Press offers publishing packages that include editing, coaching, and software at a flat $2,500.

Typical Publishing Costs (By Category)

Developmental Editing – $500 to $2,000

Big-picture story and structure review. Optional but recommended for first-time authors.

Copyediting and Proofreading – $300 to $1,200

Catches grammar, flow, and formatting issues. Don’t skip this.

Book Cover Design – $100 to $500

Professional covers boost credibility. Avoid DIY unless you're a designer.

Interior Formatting – $100 to $400

Ensures your book looks polished on Kindle, print, and PDF.

Print-on-Demand Setup – $0 to $100

Platforms like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark may charge setup or ISBN fees.

Marketing and Launch – $200 to $2,000+

Costs include ads, email list tools, book trailers, and more.
→ Internal Link: How to Use Your Book as a Marketing Tool

Self vs Hybrid vs Traditional Publishing Costs

Publishing Type Upfront Cost You Keep Profits? Includes Services?
Self-Publishing $500–$5,000+ 100% No
Hybrid (e.g. TEP) $2,500 (avg) 100% Yes (editing, CRM)
Traditional $0 5-15% royalties Yes, but selective

🔗 External Link: Reedsy Marketplace Average Costs

Hidden Costs First-Time Authors Miss

  • ISBNs (up to $125 each in the US unless included in platform)

  • Beta readers or sensitivity readers

  • Author website or lead magnet

  • PR or press release distribution

Can You Publish a Book for Under $1,000?

Yes—but results may vary. You’ll need to DIY most steps:

  • Use Grammarly + Beta Readers

  • Canva for simple cover design

  • KDP for free print/eBook uploads

  • Organic social media for marketing

Just know it may affect quality and sales.

Publishing with TEP: Done-for-You at $2,500

At Toronto Education Press, we include:

  • Hands-on coaching and editing

  • Free CRM to build your reader email list

  • AI-powered tools to turn your book into videos or courses

  • A fixed rate with no surprises

→ Internal Link: Explore Our Publishing Package

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