The Economics of Self-Publishing a Book: What It Really Costs (and How You Make Money)

Emily Jett
Jun 28
2 min read

So you’ve written a book — congratulations! Now comes the big question: Should you self-publish?For many writers, the freedom and higher royalties of self-publishing are appealing. But before you jump in, it’s crucial to understand the real economics behind it.

The Costs You’ll Face Upfront

Unlike traditional publishing, where the publisher fronts the costs, self-publishing means you are the publisher — and that means you pay for every stage of production.Here are the main expenses to plan for:

Editing ($500–$2,000+)A professional editor is non-negotiable if you want to publish a book readers actually enjoy. This can include developmental edits, line edits, and proofreading.
Cover Design ($100–$600)Readers really do judge books by their covers. A professionally designed cover signals quality and attracts buyers in crowded online stores.
Formatting ($50–$300)Your book needs to look good on Kindles, tablets, and in print. Clean formatting improves the reading experience — and your reviews!
ISBNs & Copyright (varies)You may need ISBNs for different formats (print vs. ebook). Copyright is automatic, but you can register it for extra legal protection.
Marketing & Ads ($0–$2,000+)The biggest myth? “If you publish it, they will come.” Without marketing, your book might never be found. Ads, review copies, and promos are how you reach readers.

On average, expect to invest $1,000–$5,000 to produce and launch a professional-quality self-published book.

How You Make Money

Here’s the upside: you keep a much bigger slice of each sale than you would through a traditional publisher.For example:

Ebook royalties on Amazon KDP can be up to 70% for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99.
Paperback royalties vary but often range from 40%–60% after print costs.

So, if you sell an ebook for $4.99, you might pocket about $3.50 per sale. Sell 500 copies? That’s $1,750 gross revenue — before taxes and marketing expenses.

What Determines Profit?

Your actual profit depends on a few factors:

Genre & Demand: Some genres, like romance, thrillers, and practical non-fiction, sell better than others.

Marketing Know-How: Even the best book won’t sell itself. Learning ads, email lists, and social media promotion is vital.

Your Backlist: Many indie authors see real income when they have multiple books out. Each new release boosts your older titles.

Consistency: Self-publishing is a long game. Ebooks can keep earning for years with minimal additional costs.

Is It Worth It?

Self-publishing is a business. You invest upfront, you take the risk, and you keep more per sale — but you do the work of an entire publishing team.One book probably won’t make you rich overnight, but with quality books, good marketing, and consistency, it can absolutely become a rewarding side income — or even a full-time career.

Final Thoughts

The economics of self-publishing come down to this:

Invest wisely in quality.
Treat it like a business.
Be patient and persistent.

If you’re ready to bet on yourself and your stories, self-publishing can be both profitable and creatively fulfilling.