How much does it cost to self-publish a book?

By Yvette Farkas · October 2026

Self-publishing can cost very little or several thousand dollars. The difference comes from the help you pay for. The platforms themselves cost little or nothing.

What is free

Uploading your book to Amazon KDP costs nothing. IngramSpark, which sends print books to bookstores and libraries, also has no setup fee for new titles. Both platforms take their share when a copy sells.

What usually costs money

• Editing. This is the largest cost for most authors, and the one most worth paying for. A proofread costs far less than a full developmental edit, so the price depends on the help your manuscript needs.
• Cover design. Readers decide quickly whether to look closer at a book, and the cover is the first thing they see. A professional cover, or a strong cover brief you can hand to a designer, protects every other dollar you spend.
• ISBNs. In the United States, ISBNs are sold by Bowker, and a block of ten costs much less per number than a single one. In Canada they are free from Library and Archives Canada. Amazon offers a free ISBN for KDP, though it can only be used on Amazon.
• Interior formatting. Many authors do this themselves with templates or software. Illustrated books and children's books often need a designer.
• Proof copies. Order printed proofs before launch. Seeing the book in your hands catches problems a screen hides.

Where authors overspend

Paid "publishing packages" bundle services you can buy separately for less, and some keep a share of your royalties. Before you sign anything, check who owns the ISBN, who sets the price, and who receives the royalties.

A simple way to plan your budget

List the four costs above, get one quote for editing and one for the cover, and add a small amount for proofs. That number is your real starting budget.

More articles: KDP or IngramSpark: which should you use? · How long does it take to write and publish a book?