Free! The actual publishing part is free. Never let anyone tell you differently. You do not need a “publisher” or a “partner” or any kind of anything to just go over to KDP.Amazon.com and put a book on there. The self-publishing world is your oyster! Go and do this right now!
However (and this is kind of a big however!)
You probably are not just sitting there with a professionally edited, properly formatted, well researched book with a perfect cover, all ready to be uploaded into KDP.
Unless you are, in which case — totally go do that now! Problem solved!
Here’s what it’s probably going to take to get your book into competitive shape so it can not only be published on Amazon, but also start to make sales. And that’s what you want, right? A book that actually makes you sales?
The Must-Haves (Sorry, These Aren’t Optional)
Editing: Your Book’s Best Friend
Here’s the thing about editing – it’s probably going to be your biggest expense, but it’s also the one you absolutely can’t skip. Think of it as your book’s insurance policy. For a typical novel (around 80,000 words), here’s what you might spend:
- Developmental editing (the “big picture” stuff): $2,400-6,400
- Copy editing (making sure everything flows): $1,600-4,000
- Proofreading (catching those pesky typos): $800-2,400
I know, those numbers might make you wince. But here’s a secret: many authors mix and match these services based on their needs. You might not need all three levels if you’ve got a solid critique group or if you’re already a strong writer. Most authors end up spending somewhere between $2,000-4,000 total on editing.
Where to Find Great Editors:
- Reedsy (https://reedsy.com) is like the high-end department store of editing – carefully vetted professionals, great platform protection
- Editorial Freelancers Association (https://www.the-efa.org) is where many professional editors hang out
- ACES: The Society for Editing (https://aceseditors.org) has a directory of professional editors
- PubLaunch (https://publaunch.com) lets you post your project and get competitive quotes
Pro Tip: Always ask for a sample edit before committing to the full project. Most professional editors will edit a few pages for free or a small fee.
Cover Design: Your Book’s First Impression
We all know the saying about judging books by their covers, but guess what? Everyone does it anyway. Here are your options:
- Make it yourself in something like Gimp or Canva (free, but make sure to do a thorough competitive analysis first so you at least know what designs you’re competing against)
- Pre-made covers: $30-100 (best for tight budgets)
- Custom ebook cover: $200-800 (solid middle ground)
- Custom cover with paperback wrap: $250-1,000 (professional standard)
- Premium custom design: $800-2,500 (if you’re going all out)
Pro tip: Your cover is actually a marketing tool. Investing here often pays for itself in better sales.
- 99designs (https://99designs.com/book-cover-design) if you want multiple designers competing for your project
- GoOnWrite (https://www.goonwrite.com) for affordable pre-made covers that actually look good
- BookCoverZone (https://bookcoverzone.com) for professional pre-made options
- Author Packages (https://authorpackages.com) for custom designs
Formatting: Making Your Book Look Professional
You’ve got a few ways to go here:
- DIY for free (Kindle Create template or Reedsy Book Editor
- DIY with tools: Atticus ($147) or Vellum ($250 for Mac users)
- Hire someone: $50-250 for ebook, $100-500 for print
- Reedsy Book Editor (https://reedsy.com/write-a-book) – A free online formatting tool that’s surprisingly good
- Atticus (https://www.atticus.io) – The new kid on the block that’s giving Vellum a run for its money
- Draft2Digital (https://draft2digital.com) offers free formatting tools even if you don’t publish through them
The Platform Stuff (AKA Your Author Business)
Your Home on the Web
You need a website. No, your Facebook page doesn’t count. Here’s what it’ll cost:
- Domain name: About the cost of a pizza ($10-15 per year)
- WordPress hosting: A Netflix subscription or two ($5-30 monthly)
- Theme: $30-100 one-time purchase
Email List Setup
This is your direct line to readers. Start with:
- Email service: Free for your first 1,000 subscribers
- BookFunnel (for sending out free books): $20-100 yearly
Marketing (Because Books Don’t Sell Themselves)
Getting the Word Out
Start with:
- Amazon Ads: Think $150-300 monthly to test the waters
- Facebook/Instagram Ads: Another $150-300 monthly
- Newsletter promotions: $20-100 per blast
Let’s Talk Bottom Line
The Bare Minimum (But Still Professional)
If you’re on a tight budget, here’s your bare minimum for a professional product:
- Basic editing: $1,500
- Pre-made cover: $50
- DIY formatting: $150
- Basic website: $200 Total: Around $1,900
The “Doing It Right” Budget
For a solid, professional launch:
- Full editing: $3,500
- Custom cover: $500
- Professional formatting: $200
- Professional website: $1,000
- Initial marketing: $500 Total: Around $5,700
Money-Saving Tips (Because We All Love Those)
- Know Where to Invest Your editing and cover are like your foundation – don’t cut corners here. But you can DIY things like formatting if you’re tech-savvy.
- Start Small and Scale You don’t need everything at once. Start with the basics and reinvest your earnings into marketing and premium services.
- Use Free Resources Join author groups (they’re goldmines of information), use beta readers, and learn basic design skills for social media.
The Real Talk
Here’s the honest truth: while you can technically publish for free on Amazon, plan on spending at least $2,000-3,000 if you want to do it right. Yes, that’s a chunk of change. But think of it this way: you’ve spent months (or years) writing your book. Giving it the best chance to succeed isn’t just an expense – it’s an investment in your author career.
Remember: You can always start small and scale up. But whatever you do, don’t skip the essentials (editing and cover design). Those are the foundation everything else builds on.
Want to keep costs down? Start saving early, do what you can yourself (but know your limits), and remember that every successful author started somewhere. You’ve got this!