The True Cost of Being an Author: Breaking Down the Expenses & A Solution
- A. Jean
- May 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Being an author is often romanticized as simply sitting at a desk, pouring words onto a page, and watching a story come to life. But the reality is far from that dreamy image. Writing a book is not just about creativity; it’s also a significant financial investment. From editing to marketing, there are numerous expenses that come with being an author. Let’s dive into the details and discuss just how expensive it is to pursue this career, along with what professionals in the industry typically charge for their services.
1. Editing Services: Polishing Your Manuscript
One of the most critical stages of writing a book is editing. No matter how polished your draft may seem, every manuscript needs professional editing to ensure it’s ready for publication. Editing comes in stages, and each stage has its own costs.
Developmental Editing: This is the big-picture edit, focusing on story structure, pacing, character development, and overall cohesion. A developmental editor may charge anywhere from $0.03 to $0.09 per word, depending on their expertise and the length of your manuscript. For a 70,000-word novel, that’s $2,100 to $6,300.
Line Editing: This tackles sentence structure, tone, and flow. Line editors often charge $0.02 to $0.05 per word, which can add up to $1,400 to $3,500 for a standard novel.
Copyediting: Copyediting focuses on grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Rates are slightly lower, typically $0.01 to $0.03 per word, or $700 to $2,100 for a 70,000-word manuscript.
Proofreading: The final polish before publication, proofreading costs about $0.01 to $0.02 per word—around $700 to $1,400.
When you add up all the editing costs, it’s clear that refining your manuscript can easily cost thousands of dollars.
2. Cover Design: Judging a Book by Its Cover
In the world of publishing, people do judge books by their covers. A professionally designed cover is essential to attract readers and compete in the market.
Custom Cover Design: For self-published authors, cover design can range from $300 to $2,000, depending on the designer’s experience and the complexity of the design.
Pre-Made Covers: If you’re on a tighter budget, you can purchase a pre-made cover for around $50 to $200, but customization may be limited.
A stunning cover is a worthwhile investment—it’s often the first impression readers have of your book.
3. Formatting: Making Your Book Readable
Whether you’re publishing an eBook, paperback, or hardcover, proper formatting is essential for readability and professionalism.
eBook Formatting: Professional eBook formatting costs anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on the complexity of your book.
Print Formatting: Print formatting is often more expensive, ranging from $200 to $500.
Some authors choose to learn formatting themselves using software like Vellum or Reedsy, but even these tools have upfront costs (e.g., Vellum costs $199.99 to $249.99, depending on the package).
4. Marketing and Promotion: Getting Your Book in Front of Readers
Writing a book is only half the battle—marketing it is the other half. Even the best-written book won’t sell without a solid marketing plan, and that requires money.
Book Launch Services: Some authors hire professionals to manage their book launch, which can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000.
Advertising: Running ads on platforms like Amazon, Facebook, or BookBub is common. Budgets vary widely, but many authors spend $100 to $1,000+ per month on ads.
Author Website: A professional author website costs around $500 to $2,000 to set up, plus ongoing hosting fees of $10 to $30 per month.
Book Trailers: If you want a cinematic book trailer, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
Marketing is often one of the most expensive aspects of being an author, especially for those who self-publish.
5. Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the major services listed above, there are other expenses that can add up quickly:
ISBNs: If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need an ISBN for your book. In the U.S., a single ISBN costs $125, though bundles are available for a lower per-unit price.
Beta Readers: While some beta readers work for free, others charge a fee, typically between $50 and $300, depending on the manuscript length.
Writing Courses and Conferences: Many authors invest in their craft by taking courses or attending conferences. These can range from $100 to $2,000+ per event.
Software and Tools: Writing software like Scrivener ($59.99) or Grammarly ($144 per year) can also be part of an author’s expenses.
6. Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing Costs
If you’re traditionally published, many of these costs are covered by the publisher. However, even traditionally published authors often invest in their own marketing and promotion to supplement what the publisher provides.
Self-publishing, on the other hand, requires authors to shoulder all these expenses themselves. While self-publishing offers more control and a higher percentage of royalties, the upfront costs can be daunting.
The Solution: Building a Sustainable Future for Indie Authors
The reality of becoming an author can be financially daunting. While the investment in editing, design, formatting, and marketing is substantial—often reaching thousands of dollars before publication—the true cost might be the stories left untold. How many brilliant narratives remain trapped in creative minds simply because their authors can't afford to bring them to life?
I see on TikTok all the time other indie authors say “We’re a community, we support each other.” And I love that idea but... There's constant talk about supporting each other, however beyond video shares and likes, where's the real support? It's time to transform these good intentions into meaningful action.
Reviving the Art of Bartering
Remember when commerce wasn't just about money? When communities thrived through the exchange of skills and services? I'm proposing we return to these roots with a modern twist. Imagine a vibrant community where:
Graphic designers craft compelling covers
Editors refine manuscripts
Beta readers provide thoughtful feedback
Marketing professionals share their expertise
Authors exchange their unique skills
No money changes hands—just talented professionals trading their time and expertise, each party receiving equal value while helping fellow authors succeed.
Building a Quality-Focused Community
Let's address the elephant in the room: indie books often face skepticism about their quality. But what if we could change that perception by:
Creating a community where excellence is the standard, not the exception
When we pool our talents and support each other's work, we're not just saving money—we're raising the bar for indie publishing as a whole. Every well-edited manuscript, every professional cover design, every polished final product helps elevate the entire indie author community.
The Path Forward
This isn't just about cutting costs—it's about creating a sustainable ecosystem where indie authors can thrive. By working together, we can:
Make quality publishing accessible to all talented writers
Build a reputation for excellence in indie publishing
Create lasting professional relationships
Share knowledge and resources
Grow together as authors and entrepreneurs
Join the Movement
I'm working on launching a new Discord community called “Collaborative Creators Collective" to make this vision a reality. But this is just step one in my plan for this idea. This space will be dedicated to:
Matching skills with needs
Organizing service exchanges
Building lasting professional relationships
Sharing success stories and best practices
Creating quality standards for our exchanges
🌟 Ready to be part of something bigger? 🌟
Discord Server Link: https://discord.gg/9dusv2Xy
Together, we can make indie publishing more accessible, professional, and successful for everyone. Your story deserves to be told—let's make sure it gets the chance.
P.S. If you're passionate about this idea and want to help shape this community from the ground up, DM me with your skills and vision. Let's build something amazing together. (I have a whole nine month plan but it's in depth and I don't have everything I need to do it just yet.)
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