How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book in the UK
So, you dream about writing and publishing your book? No matter if you dream of writing a novel, recipe book, a guide to your pastime or profession, you can publish anything. But the question is, how much does it cost to publish a book in the UK?
It’s fun to publish a book, but it’s also a business. If you want to take the traditional route and work with a publisher, or if you prefer to be your publisher through self-publishing, there will be associated expenses. And those expenses can be quite different based on your choice.
In the UK, self-publishing a book can cost between £ 100 and more than £5,000. That’s a vast range. An e-book may only cost a few hundred pounds. But an edited, well-covered printed book with marketing can be more expensive. Generally, many UK authors pay between £1,500 and £3,000 to publish a well-done book.
Let’s consider why the price fluctuates so wildly. Some elements, such as editing and cover design, are crucial and can be costly. Others, such as printing and promotion, are based on your objectives.
In this blog, we will discuss all the expenses you may incur. We’ll study what’s necessary, what’s desirable, and where you can make adjustments. If you’re a teacher, businessperson, or simply someone who has a story to share, this guide is for you. Let’s get started with all the details now.
Essential Elements of Costing to Understand In the UK
Publishing a book is full of thrill and adventure. However, first, you should understand the cost. In the UK, these expenses are very high or very low. It depends on the type of book you are publishing and how professional you want it to be. Also, you have a choice to opt for professional book publishing services. There are numerous service providers these days that offer reliable and expert services.
Let’s divide everything you should understand.
- Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
There are two main modes of publishing a book:
- Traditional Publishing
A publishing house pays to print your book. They offer editing, design, and printing services. You don’t pay out of pocket, but they take a large share of your income.
- Self-Publishing
You pay to publish the book yourself. You retain more profits, but you also bear the money risk.
This blog is about self-publishing expenses.
- How Much Does It Cost?
The price of self-publishing in the UK typically falls between:
| Type Of Book | Estimated Cost Range |
| Simple eBook | £100 – £500 |
| Paperback (Basic) | £500 – £1,500 |
| Professional Book | £1,500 – £5,000+ |
- Self-publishing average cost:
UK writers typically pay between £1,500 and £3,000 for a professional-quality book.
- Where Does the Money Go?
Here’s an overview of the costs associated with each section of the process.
| Service | Typical Cost (GBP) |
| Editing | £300 – £1,200 |
| Cover Design | £100 – £500 |
| Formatting | £50 – £250 |
| Printing | £200 – £1,000+ |
| Marketing & Ads | £200 – £1,000+ |
| ISBN & Setup | £50 – £100 |
The above pie chart shows the following averages:
- Editing: 30%
- Cover Design: 20%
- Formatting: 10%
- Printing: 20%
- Marketing: 15%
- ISBN & Other: 5%
This means most of your money will go toward editing and printing.
- Editing Costs
Editing is one of the most essential parts. A good editor makes your book clear, correct, and professional.
There are three types of editing:
| Types of Editing | What It Does | Cost Estimate |
| Developmental Editing | Improves structure and content | £500 – £1,000 |
| Copy Editing | Fixes grammar and flow | £300 – £600 |
| Proofreading | Final check for typos and errors | £150 – £400 |
You don’t always need all three. However, at least one round of editing is necessary.
- Cover Design
People do judge a book by its cover. A good cover makes your book stand out. Here is all the costing for a cover:
| Template cover (DIY) | £0 – £50 |
| Freelance designer | £100 – £500 |
| Top agency | £500 – £1,000+ |
- Tip: Don’t skip on a good cover. It affects sales a lot.
- Formatting for Print and eBook
Formatting refers to the appearance of your book within.
- eBook formatting costs range from £50 to £150
- Print formatting costs range from £100 to £250
You can do this yourself with tools like Reedsy, Atticus, or Vellum (available for Mac only). But hiring someone ensures it looks neat.
- Printing Costs
If you want printed books, you need to pay for printing.
- Print-on-demand
This includes platforms like Amazon KDP. No upfront cost, but printing per copy is £2–£5. Furthermore, you can also look for Kindle Direct Publishing Services online for professional help.
- Bulk printing
£500 – £1,500 depending on quantity
- Tip: Start with small quantities. See how the book sells first.
- Marketing and Promotion
You need to tell people about your book. Marketing can include:
- Social media ads
- Book launch events
- Press releases
- Email campaigns
- Cost: From £100 to over £1,000
Even a small marketing budget can make a big difference.
- ISBN and Other Costs
An ISBN is a unique number for your book. It makes your book searchable in shops and libraries.
- ISBN from Nielsen UK costs £89 for 1 ISBN or £164 for 10
- Book setup, if using a platform like IngramSpark, costs £25 to £50
- Other possible costs:
- Copyright registration (optional)
- Author website
- Book trailer or promo video
- Tools to Save Money
You can save money with free or low-cost tools:
| Need | Free or Cheap Option |
| Writing | Google Docs, Word |
| Editing | Grammarly, Hemingway Editor |
| Cover Design | Canva, BookBrush |
| Formatting | Reedsy Book Editor (free) |
| Publishing Platform | Amazon KDP (free to publish) |
These tools are helpful, but they’re not as effective as hiring professionals. Balance is key.
- Example Of Real Author Budgets
Here, we have listed some budgets and their corresponding breakdowns.
- Example 1: New Author Budget (£500 total)
Cover: £100
Editing: £200
Formatting: £50
Marketing: £100
ISBN + Misc: £50
- Example 2: Professional Author Budget (£2,500 total)
Cover: £300
Editing: £1,000
Formatting: £200
Marketing: £700
Printing + ISBN: £300
Top 5 Tips before You Publish
Now, you have a clear idea of how to break down your publishing costs. In this section, we have provided some general tips for publishing that will be helpful.
- Set a Clear Budget
Know how much you can spend.
Plan for editing, cover, and marketing first.
- Do Your Research
Compare prices for editors and designers.
Read reviews before hiring anyone.
- Use Trusted Platforms
Amazon KDP and IngramSpark are popular in the UK.
They offer print-on-demand and global reach.
- Keep It Simple at First
Start with an e-book if you’re on a tight budget.
Upgrade later with print and extras.
- Think Long-Term
Publishing is just the start.
Plan how you’ll promote and grow your book’s reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Can I Reduce Publishing Costs?
- Use free tools like Canva and Reedsy.
- Do basic formatting yourself.
- Look for affordable freelance editors.
- Skip printing and go with an eBook only.
- Is it possible to publish a book for free?
Yes, using platforms like Amazon KDP. But the quality may not be professional without investment.
- What Should I Always Pay For?
- Editing makes your book readable.
- Cover Design attracts readers.
- Marketing helps people find your book.
Final Thoughts
Publishing a book in the UK doesn’t have to break the bank. It doesn’t need to be expensive. If you want to publish a basic eBook, you can do it for less than £500. That is suitable for newbies or debut authors. If you want a printed book that is highly professional looking, you might spend between £1,500 and £3,000. This involves editing, cover design, printing, and marketing.
Always begin with a clear budget. Consider how much you are willing to spend. List all the components, such as editing, cover, formatting, and ads. Do what you can on your own to save money. But also recognize when to ask for help from professionals.
Never overlook editing. Even the best authors have errors. A good editor will correct them. Always obtain a good book cover since people will read the cover first. A good cover makes your book sell.
Publishing a book requires effort and time, yet it is fun and fulfilling. Your book may educate, help, or motivate others. You may communicate your story, your information, or your concepts.
