The Cost of Creating a Book
Something I really never gave much thought to was the cost behind creating a book. It just happened and someone somewhere made it happen. Obviously that ignorant and inaccurate. If you traditionally publish some of these cost fall upon the publishers but there’s still some that are for the author to take care of. If you’re independently publishing it becomes solo show of the author. Well, not really solo. There’s the supportive community who wants to see this thing become real, right?
That’s why I’ve created limited edition linocut art prints. You can see exactly how I made them on Instagram (www.instagram.com/ashley_peters_author ) and I will eventually blog here all about the process too. Before we get to that though I wanted to address what the funds raised from these prints are going towards. A hint—book expenses.
I am going to assume that others are naive as I was and want to break down exactly what is the cost.
ISBN numbers becuase those don’t just magically appear are $125 for 1 or $295 for a pack of 10. Each format (digital, hardback, paperback) all require their own ISBN.
Editing services come in just below $450. That’s only a beta reader pass with feedback and copy/line editing. Had I done developmental it would have been more.
This website is $200 a year so I would count that as part of this since have a newsletter is vital to having excited reader and a base.
Eventually I will need to use book funnel for ARCs to be securely delivered and that will be $100 per year.
Also eventually there will be a select quantity of physical ARCs and PR boxes, as well as any books I pre-purchase at whole sale to sell in-person at fairs, festivals etc. Since the cost of these is still up in the air at the moment I am not including them but when I have more details I’m more than happy to be fully transparent.
So in total the expenses for a book to just become legitimate it will be $1045. YOU can lessen this cost however by making a super quick, easy purchase of limited edition artwork for $30 in our “Bookstore”. The link will take you directly to the listing. IF 35 of you make a purchase then this initial expense will be covered!
Now, I know that no one owes me anything and this is far from a sob story but it does put things in perspective. Every time you look at a book please know the time, sweat, blood, tears and yes, money that went into its creation. I deeply appreciate any support but if you can only get one thing… wait for the book. If you have some flex, then head on over to that link.