Does Self-Publishing Cost Money?

I often get asked, "Does self-publishing cost money?"

Short answer: Yes.

But it's a bonafide question asked by aspiring authors, coaches, consultants, experts, bloggers, entrepreneurs, business owners, and yes, indie authors.

While we sit at our keyboards typing away, it's easy to "think" that we're not spending money, but as my dad always said,

"Time is money, so don't waste it."

If you have that penchant for a "do-it-yourself" project in an effort to save time and money, then I'm pretty darned sure that self-publishing a book is on your mind.

To understand the self-publishing question, you need to know what the world of self-publishing is all about.

What Does “Doing It All” in Self-Publishing Really Mean?

When you do it yourself you have to take care of everything, from writing to editing, and cover design to marketing. In the traditional publishing arena, they take care of all of that - and of course, it's not free.

Editors at work (Image Created with Midjourney)

Traditional publishers have teams of professional editors who know your audience and understand the book market inside out. As indie authors, we don’t always have that kind of built-in support.

You can try to go it alone—but if you think you don’t need an editor, think again. At the very least, have someone other than you read your work when you’re just starting out.

And yes, I know... taking feedback can sting (speaking from experience here). But remember: they’re trying to help you improve. That doesn’t mean you have to accept every suggestion—I say this while casually checking if my hubby’s watching me type this...

Want to cut editing costs? Use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to catch basic issues. And of course, don’t forget to run your draft through ChatGPT (or “Chatty,” as I like to call it). It’s a great second set of eyes—minus the judgment.

Book Cover Design Costs: DIY vs Pro Designers

George Eliot famously wrote in The Mill on the Floss (1860), “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
I couldn’t disagree more—we absolutely do.

If your cover passes the eye-scan test, only then will readers look at the description. That’s why investing in a strong cover is so important. Professionally designed covers typically cost $50 to $200, depending on the designer and complexity.

You’ll find talented designers on sites like:

• Fiverr
• 99designs
• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Reedsy
• BookBaby (also offers full publishing packages)

KDP also has its own built-in cover creator if you're on a tight budget. It’s basic, but it works for simple needs.

Formatting: The Overlooked Cost of Self-Publishing

Formatting a book - open book (Image Created with Midjourney)

Let’s not forget the “F” word: Formatting. It’s often one of the most frustrating parts of putting your book together—and honestly, it’s where a lot of new authors get stuck.

Hiring someone to handle it for you? Totally worth it. You’ll typically spend $50 to $200, and it’ll save you hours of headache.

That said, I love using Vellum. It’s one of my favorite tools, and I even write directly into it sometimes. For me, Vellum = Pain-Free Formatting.

If you're great with Microsoft Word, lucky you! But if you're like many of us who wrestle with page breaks and weird spacing... it's probably worth investing in Vellum—or hiring a pro to do it for you.

Formatting may not be flashy, but it makes all the difference in how polished your final book looks.

ISBN Numbers: What They Are & How Much They Cost

ISBN Services cost guide - clicking this link takes you to their website

As I mention in my post titled Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP, Amazon offers a free ISBN number for your paperback. Sounds great, right?

But here’s the catch: that ISBN locks your book into Amazon’s KDP platform only. If you want to publish elsewhere—like IngramSpark—you’ll need to buy your own.

Some folks argue that you don’t need an ISBN for paperbacks. I disagree. ISBNs matter. They're tied to your book’s identity and are used for ordering, inventory, and tracking.

ISBNs now use a 13-digit format (formerly 10 digits), and they must appear on both your copyright page and the back cover of your book. When creating your cover, leave a white space where the barcode will go—KDP will automatically place it there when you upload your files.

Pumpkin Patch rear book cover showing ISBN imprint area

Pumpkin Patch interior showing ISBN on copyright page

See that red "ISBN area" above? When you’re creating your cover, you don’t place the barcode yourself—you just leave a white rectangle in that space. I use Tangent Templates to generate my trim size specs, spine width, and bleed layout, and it shows you exactly where to put that white box. Pretty neat, right?

Now, if you don’t want to use Amazon’s free ISBN (and be locked into publishing only with KDP), you’ll need to purchase your own.

In the U.S., the average cost is $125 for a single ISBN.

Buying in bulk brings the price down. For example:

• A custom ISBN from ISBN Services costs $110
• If you buy 25 or more basic ISBNs, the price drops to $12.99 each

🚫 But heads up: those basic ISBNs can’t be used on KDP Print, Lulu, Amazon Seller Central/FBA, or IngramSpark/Lightning Source. Always double-check where they’re accepted before buying.

Self-Publishing Cost Breakdown: eBook vs Paperback

So, how much does it cost to self-publish?

For most indie authors, expect to spend around $1,000 to $3,000 to publish an eBook—depending on your needs for editing, cover design, formatting, and promotion. Adding a paperback version increases your costs, mainly due to layout formatting and print production.

Formatting an eBook is relatively simple. Your content flows like one long scroll and automatically resizes for different screens. Chapter breaks create natural pauses, but you won’t have to fuss over page layouts. That flexibility can be a blessing—or a bit of a nuisance when line breaks go rogue!

Paperbacks, on the other hand, demand precision. Font sizes, margins, and page count are fixed, which is perfect if (like me) you’re particular about how your book looks and feels.

Printing costs also affect your bottom line. Using a Print-on-Demand (POD) service helps keep things manageable—no upfront inventory needed. Just keep in mind: trim size and page count will directly influence your per-copy cost.

Then there’s marketing—the biggest wildcard. You might spend nothing and rely on social media and word-of-mouth. Or you could go all in with Amazon Ads, Publishing Performance, BookBub, or even a full-scale book tour. Some authors invest a few hundred; others spend thousands.

The beauty of self-publishing? It’s scalable.
Start with what you’ve got. Learn as you go. Grow from there.

Is Self-Publishing Worth the Investment?

Wondering if self-publishing is worth it? That depends on your goals. If you want full creative control, faster publishing timelines, and the potential to earn more per sale—then yes, it can absolutely be worth it.

But here's the thing: it's not just about money. It’s about time and effort. You’ll be the one juggling formatting, editing, proofreading, design, and (everyone’s favorite) marketing. Be honest with yourself—do you have the bandwidth to wear all those hats?

Most of us don't have a big publisher backing us. And yes, the DIY route can feel overwhelming at first. But you know what they say: you eat an elephant one bite at a time.

So start simple. Get your book written. Format it as best you can. Ask someone you trust to read it. Make improvements. Keep going.

You don’t need to over-complicate things.

Love learning from courses? Platforms like Udemy have plenty. But honestly? Your best bet is to devour Amazon KDP’s help pages. They’re current, reliable, and cover everything you need to know—like Ragu, it’s all in there.

Smart Ways to Keep Self-Publishing Costs Down

One of the best things about self-publishing? You control your costs.

You can do a lot yourself to save money—or choose to outsource certain tasks to make sure your book is top-notch. It’s all about finding the right balance.

If writing’s your strength but design’s not your thing, hire a pro for your cover and interior layout. Sites like Fiverr, Reedsy, or Upwork are great places to find affordable talent.

On the flip side, if design comes naturally to you but writing or grammar needs help, invest in a solid editor. Either way, there’s still marketing to deal with—and that’s often the trickiest piece.

Yes, self-publishing costs money. But compared to traditional publishing setups or business ventures, it’s a relatively low-cost investment. And it’s an investment in you. You get to choose your price point—and you keep a much larger share of the royalties.

Not a fan of marketing? You’re not alone.

Consider Amazon Ads to get your book in front of the right readers. You can also try BookBub, though their ad placements are competitive and not exactly cheap. Still, it’s an option worth exploring—just know there’s no guarantee of huge returns.

➡️ And just FYI: BookBub has two sides—one for readers, and one for authors. If you’re exploring advertising, make sure you’re on the author/partner side.

The Business Side of Self-Publishing

Plenty of self-published authors have earned a solid income from their books—but like any business, success takes work, skill, and yes... a bit of luck.

One major upside? Longevity.
Your self-published book can stay “on the shelf” for as long as you want. Traditional publishers might give your book a limited run—but when you’re in control, there’s no expiration date.

And don’t underestimate where your book can take you. It might open doors to speaking gigs, consulting, or other income streams you hadn’t even considered.

At the end of the day, if you’ve got a story to tell or knowledge to share, self-publishing is a smart investment in yourself.

Stop overthinking it. Just start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Publishing Costs

If publishing a book is on your heart, don’t let the cost scare you away. Self-publishing is more accessible than ever—and when done right, it can open up income streams, build your credibility, and amplify your message. So go ahead, take the leap.