Traditional publishing can be a slow process between signing a contract and your book's release - sometimes eighteen months or more.
Many authors choose to bypass that option and self publish their books.
How much does self-publishing really cost?
Professional Editing: $500 - $5000
Developmental, copy editing, proofreading and length of the book will all be factors.
Cover Design: $300 - $1500
Formatting and interior design
ebook, $50 - $300; paperback and hardcover, $100 - $500
ISBN: Minimum $125
Must be purchased through Bowker, you can get a 10-pack for $295.
Distribution and Publishing
Amazon KDP Free to upload, but they take 20–40% of royalties depending on pricing and distribution choices.
IngramSpark: $49 per title setup (discounts available), with additional fees for revisions ($25 each). They offer wider distribution to bookstores.
Draft2Digital: Free to publish, but they take 10% of royalties.
Conclusion
Low end (DIY, minimal services): $0 - $1,000
Mid-range (some professional services): $1,500-$5,000
High-end (Premium services): $5,000-$15,000
Your cost to publish with Elk Lake Publishing: ZERO ($0)
Featured Blogs
What’s NEW for Summer!
It’s Summertime! Find your Summer Reads here! New in KidLit! Wrigley at the White House (PB) Written by Karma Bodman, Illustrated by Susan Spellman Mom’s Choice Gold Award Winner! A Puppy in the White House? Four-year old twins, living in The White House, get a puppy for their birthday. The pup creates havoc running around…
Read More
HELLO SPRING!
New in Fiction Green Flash (F) Written by Martha VanCise When Marc Simms, maverick pilot, joins a mission team as a cover for a diamond heist in an Afro-Caribbean country, he believes avoiding profanity will be his greatest challenge. Traveling with people, however, who excel in compassion but lack in worldly or multicultural wisdom puts…
Read MoreOur 2023 Selah Finalists!
Check out our Selah Finalists by clicking the titles below! Young Adult Fiction: Once Upon the Shadows by Faith Colleen Weaver Novella: A Father’s Gift by Paula Peckham Mystery/Suspense: Gates of Hell by Andy DeWitt Contemporary Women: Every Day Filled with Hope by Shelia Stovall Falling Apart, Falling for You by…
Read More
NEW in Nonfiction!
Growing the Fruit of the Spirit: 100 Devotionals for Farm Families (NF) Written by Beth Gormong & Susan Hayhurst Farm life is a one-of-a-kind experience. Living where you work, putting up with pungent smells, and praying daily the farm spreadsheets balance is the norm. In Growing the Fruit of the Spirit: 100 Devotions for Farm…
Read More
Celebrating Black History Month with Elk Lake Authors!
Help us celebrate some of our Black Authors by checking out their books! Mourning into Dancing Written by Aaron Pettes Click here to find out more. God, Mt. Fuji, and Sweet Tea Written by Janet P. Smith Click here to find out more. The Tapestry…
Read More