The Cost of Self-Publishing vs Publishing Packages

Publishing a book costs money.

That is normal.

Editors, designers, illustrators, proofreaders, printers and marketing professionals all deserve to be paid properly for skilled work.

The problem is not that authors have to pay for professional services.

The problem is when authors pay for publishing packages without understanding what is included, what is not included, and what they may still need to pay for later.

This is where many new authors get caught.

A publishing package can sound simple. Pay one price, hand over your book, and someone else will “publish” it for you.

But convenient does not always mean good value.

Self-publishing does not mean free

Self-publishing does not mean publishing your book for no cost.

It means you control the process.

You choose who works on your book, what services you pay for, where your book is printed, how it is sold, and how it is promoted.

You may still need to pay for professional help, depending on your book and your goals.

Common self-publishing costs may include:

• manuscript assessment

• editing

• proofreading

• internal book design

• cover design

• illustration

• image preparation

• ISBN and barcode

• printing

• ebook formatting

• website setup

• marketing support

• advertising

• launch materials

Not every author needs every service.

A novel will have different needs from a children’s picture book. A memoir will be different from a business book. A family history book may be different from a book intended for bookstores.

The important thing is to understand what each service does before you pay for it.

What is a publishing package?

A publishing package is usually a bundle of services sold to an author for one set price.

It may include things like:

• publishing advice

• project management

• cover design

• internal formatting

• ISBN registration

• print-on-demand setup

• online listing

• distribution setup

• author webpage

• proof copy

• marketing materials

• promotional support

Some packages are transparent and useful.

Others are vague, expensive or padded with services that sound impressive but may not do much to help the author sell books.

This is why authors need to look closely at what is actually included.

Do not just ask, “How much does it cost?”

Ask, “What exactly am I paying for?”

A real-world example of package pricing

To show why this matters, let’s look at a real-world style example from an Australian publishing provider.

The exact figures have been rounded down to the nearest hundred dollars for simplicity.

This provider offers several publishing packages, including:

At first glance, this may look like a clear menu of publishing options.

But the headline price does not always tell the full story.

Authors need to read the details carefully, because some important services may still be additional costs.

The package price may not include editing

This is one of the biggest things authors need to check.

Some publishing packages include an editing assessment, but not full editing.

That means someone may look at the manuscript and provide advice about what level of editing is needed, but the actual editing work may be quoted separately.

That is a very different thing.

An editing assessment is not the same as:

• developmental editing

• structural editing

• line editing

• copyediting

• proofreading

• final proof checks after layout

If a package says “editing assessment included”, authors should ask whether actual editing is included in the price.

If not, editing may become an additional cost on top of the package price.

That can add hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the length and condition of the manuscript.

The package price may not include printing the books

This is another major point authors need to understand.

A publishing package may include a proof copy, print-ready file setup, print-on-demand setup or assistance arranging a print quote.

That does not necessarily mean the package includes a full print run of books.

A proof copy is usually one sample copy used to check the book before production.

It is not the same as receiving stock to sell.

If an author wants printed copies for a launch, markets, events, bookstores, schools, speaking engagements or direct sales, they need to ask whether those books are included or charged separately.

In many cases, the cost of printing actual copies is an additional cost.

So a package advertised at around $3,500 or $6,000 may not include the full cost of printing the books the author wants to sell.

That matters.

Because printing is not a small extra. It can be one of the major costs of the project.

Proof copy included does not mean books included

Authors should pay close attention to wording.

There is a big difference between:

“Proof copy included”

and

“Printed books included”

A proof copy means the author may receive one printed sample to check.

Printed books means actual stock the author can sell, distribute or use at events.

These are not the same thing.

If a package includes only a proof copy, the author may still need to pay separately for:

• launch copies

• author copies

• bookstore stock

• event stock

• market stock

• school or library copies

• future reprints

Before paying for a package, ask:

How many printed books are included in this price?

If the answer is one proof copy, then the print run is not included.

Print-on-demand setup does not mean stock is included

Some packages include print-on-demand setup.

Print-on-demand can be useful, but authors need to understand what it means.

Print-on-demand means the book can be printed when someone orders it. It does not usually mean the author receives a box of books as part of the package.

It also does not mean the book will automatically sell.

Print-on-demand setup may make the book available through a system, but availability is not the same as visibility.

If no one knows the book exists, no one is searching for it.

So when a package includes print-on-demand setup, authors should ask:

• Where will the book be available?

• Who controls the account?

• What is the print cost per copy?

• What royalty or margin does the author receive?

• Can the author order their own copies?

• Can the author print elsewhere?

• Are physical books included in the package price?

• What happens if the author wants to leave the platform?

Print-on-demand is a production and fulfilment tool.

It is not a marketing plan.

The package price may not include an ebook

Some publishing packages are for print only.

If the author also wants an ebook, that may be quoted separately.

This matters because print book design and ebook formatting are different processes.

A print book is fixed. The designer controls the page size, margins, page numbers, image placement and layout.

An ebook is usually reflowable. The reader may change the font size, device, screen size and spacing.

A print-ready PDF is not the same as an ebook file.

If a publishing package does not include ebook conversion, the author may need to pay extra to create the digital version.

Authors should ask:

Is ebook formatting included?

If yes, for which platforms?

If no, what will it cost?

The package price may not include hardcover setup

A publishing package may include one book format only.

For example, it may include a paperback version, but not a hardcover version.

Hardcover books have different setup requirements. The cover measurements, spine, wrap, hinge area, bleed and production specifications may differ from paperback.

If the author wants both paperback and hardcover, they should not assume both are included.

Ask:

Does this package include paperback only?

Is hardcover extra?

Does hardcover require a separate cover file?

Does hardcover require a separate ISBN?

What will it cost to prepare the hardcover version?

A package price may only cover one format.

Additional formats can mean additional costs.

The package price may include only limited revisions

Most design and publishing services include a limited number of revision rounds.

That is normal.

But authors need to know what counts as a revision.

A package may include one revision round or three revision rounds, but those revisions may only cover minor changes.

Minor changes might include:

• correcting a typo

• adjusting a heading

• fixing a small layout issue

• changing minor text

• moving a small element

Major changes are different.

Major changes might include:

• rewriting chapters

• changing the book title

• adding new sections

• changing the order of chapters

• replacing images

• changing the book size

• changing the paper stock

• changing from paperback to hardcover

• changing the cover direction

• changing the page count after cover setup

Major changes can affect the whole project.

If the author changes the content after design has started, the provider may charge an hourly rate on top of the package price.

That is why the manuscript needs to be final before design begins.

The package price may not include real marketing

Marketing is one of the most misunderstood parts of publishing packages.

Some packages include words like:

• promotion

• marketing support

• author webpage

• online presence

• launch support

• distribution

• bookstore availability

• retail setup

These sound helpful, but authors need to ask what they actually mean.

An author webpage is not a marketing campaign.

A listing is not promotion.

Distribution setup is not the same as sales.

A social media graphic is not a launch strategy.

A book being available online does not mean readers will find it.

Real marketing may include:

• audience building

• author website strategy

• email marketing

• social media planning

• paid advertising

• media outreach

• review campaigns

• launch planning

• bookstore approaches

• event promotion

• reader engagement

If a package says marketing is included, ask exactly what work will be done.

Ask for specifics.

How many posts?
Which platforms?
Who writes the copy?
Is advertising included?
Is there a budget for ads?
Are reviewers contacted?
Are bookstores contacted?
Is there a launch plan?
How long does the support last?
What reports are provided?

If the answer is vague, be careful.

The package may use language that sounds bigger than the service

Publishing packages often use impressive language.

Authors may see phrases like:

• global distribution

• professional publishing support

• author platform

• bookstore access

• retail availability

• publishing management

• premium publishing solution

• book launch support

• marketing guidance

These phrases are not automatically bad.

But authors need to know what they mean in practical terms.

“Global distribution” may simply mean the book is listed through a distribution database.

That does not mean bookstores will stock it.

“Bookstore availability” may mean a store can technically order the book.

That does not mean the book will be sitting on shelves.

“Marketing guidance” may mean advice, not action.

That does not mean someone is actively promoting the book for the author.

The wording matters.

A package can be expensive and still not include everything

This is the main lesson.

A package costing around $3,500 may still not include full editing, ebook formatting, hardcover setup or printed books beyond a proof copy.

A package costing around $6,000 may still have additional costs depending on what the author wants.

That does not automatically mean the provider is doing something wrong.

But it does mean authors need to understand the difference between the package price and the full cost of publishing the book.

The real cost may be:

Package price
plus editing
plus extra revisions
plus ebook conversion
plus hardcover setup
plus printing
plus author copies
plus marketing
plus future changes

That can add up quickly.

Compare the package with the services you actually need

Instead of looking at one big package price, authors should break the project into parts.

Ask yourself:

Do I need editing?
Do I need proofreading?
Do I need internal book design?
Do I need cover design?
Do I need an ISBN?
Do I need a barcode?
Do I need ebook formatting?
Do I need hardcover setup?
Do I need printed copies?
Do I need marketing support?
Do I need distribution setup?
Do I need someone to manage the process?

Then compare those needs against the package.

If the package does not include the services you need, it may not be good value.

If the package includes services you do not need, you may be paying for things that are not useful to you.

Questions to ask before buying a publishing package

Before paying for a publishing package, ask:

What exactly is included in the package price?

What is not included?

Does this include full editing, or only an editing assessment?

Does this include proofreading?

How many revision rounds are included?

What counts as a minor change?

What is the hourly rate for additional changes?

Does this include internal book design?

Does this include custom cover design?

Does this include ebook formatting?

Does this include hardcover setup?

Does this include ISBN registration?

Who owns the ISBN?

Who is listed as the publisher?

Does this include barcode creation?

Does this include a printed proof copy?

How many printed books are included?

Are launch copies included?

Are author copies included?

Is print-on-demand setup included?

Who controls the print-on-demand account?

Can I print my book elsewhere later?

Will I receive print-ready files?

Will I receive editable design files?

Does this include marketing?

What does the marketing actually include?

Will you actively promote the book to readers?

Are bookstores contacted?

Are reviewers contacted?

Are ads included?

Are there ongoing fees?

Do you take royalties or commissions?

What happens if I want to leave later?

If someone is charging thousands of dollars, they should be able to answer these questions clearly.

Self-publishing gives you control

Self-publishing does not mean doing everything yourself.

It means staying in control.

You can hire an editor.

You can hire a designer.

You can hire a proofreader.

You can work with a printer.

You can pay for marketing help.

But you should understand what each person is doing and what you are paying for.

When you pay for services separately, you can often see the real cost of each stage more clearly.

You know what the editor costs.

You know what the designer costs.

You know what the printer costs.

You know what the ISBN costs.

You know what marketing costs.

A package can hide those costs inside one large number, which can make it harder to know whether you are getting value.

The main thing to remember

A publishing package is only good value if you understand what is included.

The headline price is not always the full cost.

A package may include setup, advice, a proof copy, print-on-demand preparation or a basic listing, but still not include full editing, ebook formatting, hardcover setup, printed books or real marketing.

Before you pay, slow down and read the details.

Ask what is included.
Ask what is excluded.
Ask what costs extra.
Ask who owns the ISBN.
Ask whether printed books are included.
Ask whether marketing means actual promotion or just setup.
Ask whether you receive the final files.
Ask whether you can print elsewhere later.

Do not pay thousands of dollars just because a package sounds easier.

Pay for the services you actually need.

Your book is your work.

Make sure your money is working for you, not just for someone selling you the idea of being published.