Almost every aspiring author who is considering self-publishing has two burning questions: What does it cost to turn a manuscript into a book? And which self-publishing firms are in my price range?
Most self-publishing firms require that you begin by selecting one of their publishing packages, for which you pay a fee. Additional services can then be purchased, if you like. A few companies, such as Lulu and CreateSpace, do not require that you purchase a package to get started.
A package might be as simple as uploading your text, a choice of two simple cover designs and assignment of an ISBN. Or it might be as complex as custom-designed book layout and cover, a full-fledged publicity program, having your book listed for sale in many online bookstores, and more. Additional services, purchased a la carte, include things like editing, ghostwriting, special marketing services and so on.
Clients have asked me about the price range of these packages, so I’ve listed the costs for the least and most expensive packages offered by 12 self-publishers. These are general packages, not those specifically designed for children’s or poetry books, and the elements they contain vary from one to the next. My aim is simply to make you aware of the price range and give you an idea of which self-publishers are more or less expensive, not recommend any particular firm or package. (The names and prices of these packages are current as of March 7, 2011, and do not take into account any sale prices.)
- AuthorHouse – Prices range from the $599 Foundation to the $7,999 Showcase Nonfiction package.
- Balboa Press – Prices range from the $999 Embark to the $7,999 Master package.
- Believers Press – Prices range from the $1,099 Ebook to the $4,999 Premium package.
- CreateSpace – Prices range from the $299 Author Express to the $4,999 Total Design Freedom Marketing Pro solution.
- Dellarte Press – Prices range from the $599 Basic to the $4,499 VIP Publicist package.
- Innovo Publishing – Prices range from the $679 Classic to the $1,479 Blockbuster package.
- iUniverse – Prices range from the $599 Select to the $4,199 Book Launch Premier Pro package.
- Lulu – Prices range from the $629 Best Seller Publishing to the $4,729 Laureate Publishing package.
- Outskirts Press – Prices range from the $199 Emerald Book Printing to the $1,099 Pearl Full-Color Publishing package.
- Westbow Press – Prices range from the $999 Essential Access to the $3,999 Online Platform package.
- Xlibris – Prices range from the $499 Advantage to the $14,999 Platinum package.
- Xulon – Prices range from the $1,299 Premium to the $7,754 Elite package.
Among these, the least expensive is the $199 Emerald Book Printing package from Outskirts Press; the most expensive is the $14,999 Platinum Package offered by Xlibris. To learn more about any specific package, read my individual blog entries on these publishers.
In future blogs, I’ll compare the prices of some of the additional services, such as editing and creating a custom book cover.
We at Taylor-Fox can help you create your business book, health book, memoir, biography, inspirational book or other book and get it ready for publication. We’ve helped scores of people achieve their goals, and some of their books have landed on bestseller lists. Let us help you! Call us at 818-594-0379.
Note: All of the information in this blog entry came from the company websites. Before signing on with any firm, read the contract carefully and check review sites to see if there are any problems or special issues regarding this firm. I’ll address these issues in future blogs.
Nadine Taylor and Barry Fox write, ghostwrite, rewrite and edit books in many genres, including health, business, inspiration/ spirituality and memoirs. Their resume is long and varied but there’s one thing that never changes: They love to work with words, creating books that are clear, compelling and pleasurable to read. If you’re interested in writing a book, editing a book and/or publishing a book, you’ve come to the right place!
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