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How Much Should You Budget to Write and Publish Your Book?
The investment to create a high-quality, revenue-generating book varies based on your goals, scope, and publishing path.
Some authors self-publish on a small scale. Others build full-scale marketing and distribution systems.
Most of my clients fall somewhere in between.
After working on more than forty books, I can give you a realistic idea of what to expect for professional ghostwriting, editing, publishing, and printing.
Ghostwriting
$60,000 Flat Fee
This is the investment for a complete ghostwriting process that takes your ideas from concept to completed manuscript.
It includes strategy, interviews, writing, revisions, and professional editing—all within a proven, six- to nine-month system designed for busy entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
Payment Schedule: $15,000 up front, followed by three milestone-based payments of $15,000 each.
No hidden costs. No hourly billing. No surprises.
Book Publishing
(Project Management)
$7,500 Flat Fee
If you want me to manage the entire publishing process for you—from final manuscript to print-ready book—I handle everything, including:
Professional cover design.
Interior layout for print and ebook.
ISBN registration and metadata setup.
Final copyediting and proofreading coordination.
File formatting and compliance for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.
Printing coordination and delivery of final files.
Printing costs are billed directly to the printer and depend on format, page count, and quantity.
Book Editing
Typical Range: $10,000–$20,000
If you already have a manuscript and need professional refinement, I offer developmental and substantive editing as a standalone service.
Because every manuscript is unique, editing is quoted individually after reviewing your draft and scope of work.
Timeline: 4–8 weeks, depending on length and complexity.
Book Marketing
Book marketing is a separate, customized engagement.
Every author’s goals are different—some need a book website and funnel, others want full-scale inbound marketing and advertising.
We build custom marketing plans that can include:
Custom book website and sales funnel development
Email marketing and automation
Social media strategy and management
Blogging, SEO, and content marketing
Paid ads and launch campaigns
Pricing depends entirely on the scope of work. We’ll discuss your goals and create a tailored plan and quote after your consultation.
Printing Costs
Printing costs vary based on quantity, format, and quality.
To help you estimate, here are realistic per-unit ranges for typical professional print runs:
Paperback: $3–$5 per copy at 1,000–2,500 copies
Hardcover (with dust jacket): $5–$8 per copy at 1,000–2,500 copies
Full-color interior: $10–$20 per copy depending on layout and print quality
You’ll always receive clear printing quotes before production begins.
Total Budget Examples
To help you plan, here are a few sample investment ranges for common book scenarios.
These examples don’t include marketing, which is quoted separately based on goals and scale.
Example 1:
Standard Nonfiction Paperback (200 pages)
Ghostwriting: $60,000
Publishing Management: $7,500
Editing and Proofreading: included in publishing package
Cover Design & Layout: included in publishing package
Printing 1,000 copies (paperback): ~$4,000 ($4 per copy)
Total Investment: ~$71,500
Example 2:
Hardcover Business Book (225 pages)
Ghostwriting: $60,000
Publishing Management: $7,500
Printing 1,000 copies (hardcover with dust jacket): ~$7,000 ($7 per copy)
Total Investment: ~$74,500
Example 3:
Editing +
Publishing Only
(Client Provides Draft)
Developmental Editing: $15,000
Publishing Management: $7,500
Printing 1,000 copies (paperback): ~$4,000
Total Investment: ~$26,500
What This Means for You
Creating a professional book that elevates your authority and drives your business is an investment—not a gamble.
When done right, your book becomes a revenue-generating asset that builds trust, grows your audience, and sells your offers for years to come.
If you want clear, transparent pricing and a process built for results, let’s talk.
© Copyright by Stephen Palmer