RESEARCH QUESTION - average $ spent on self-publishing a book | Book Printing Forum

RESEARCH QUESTION - average $ spent on self-publishing a book

my daughter is doing a paper on printing and i am trying to help her find out about how much people are spending to self-publish a book these days – regular size, novel or non-fiction. anyone have any clues – or can point me to some research on this? thanks so much! kathy

Posted by
kath88

May 1, 2009 9:24am PDT

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It’s a little difficult to answer your question. If you want to know the cost to print the book you can look at the pricing guide. If you’re asking how much it costs to do the work to produce the book – that may be a very difficult question to answer as every book has different facits to it. For example I recently self-published a family history book. It took me over a year to organize my research and write the stories. I also restored and colorized over 300 photographs for the book. The book was 320 pages. If my yearly salary was $30,000 – then the book cost me $30,000 to produce – will I make $30,000 on the book – no way . Would I do another – absolutely! Because your family history is priceless it’s worth every hour of time to preserve it. Sorry that probably did not answer your question – but it might give you an idea of how difficult it may be to answer your question.

Posted by
Bebensee

May 1, 2009 10:21pm PDT

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I would guess most people are self publishing because the couldn’t get a regular publishing company to ‘buy’ their book and send them royalties.

I’m doing a similar 8×10 color family history book, which I’ll go to the max of 440 pages. It’ll cost about $100 each with shipping. I’ve been working on this book for seven years. I’ve spent money on cross sountry trips, motels, cameras, copiers, computer equipment, etc., and then find Blurb. It doesn’t really matter what it costs as the finished book will be invaluable to those that purchase it. How much will I ‘earn’ on the book – nothing! It’s only a labor of love.

My most recent book on another subject (photo book) cost me a week of evenings, and the Blurb charges for printing and shipping to me. It’s apples and oranges to compare these two.

It’s really hard to self publish at an economical price for resale. Would I pay $39.95 for somebody else’s photo book? I think NOT! The alternative is to get a regular publisher who will handle everything for you (if they don’t send you a reject letter), and that’ll still likely cost you a bundle, at least at first, before those royalty checks start rolling in.

In my opinion, self publishing for profit is only good for people that have new information on niche subjects, and have the contacts for selling them.

Sorry I didn’t answer your question!

Posted by
koolkat

May 3, 2009 8:00pm PDT

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Research costs are never the same for any book project. You also need to figure in the legal fees (Isbn, LCCN, copyright registration, trademarks, etc.) and any attorney consultation costs. After the book is complete (published), how much does it cost to distribute and market?

There are so many aspects to a self-publishing project, it is difficult to ball-park the costs.

Posted by
dilbert1965

May 5, 2009 2:01pm PDT

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kath88,

Your question is kinda too broad and not specific enough.

Cordially, Brian {a passionately Blurbarian}

Posted by
brianbonitz

May 5, 2009 2:34pm PDT

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RESEARCH QUESTION - average $ spent on self-publishing a book my daughter is doing a paper on printing and i am trying to help her find out about how much people are spending to self-publish a book these days – regular size, novel or non-fiction. anyone have any clues – or can point me to some research on this? thanks so much! kathy	Posted by kath88 May 1, 2009 9:24am PDT Permalink

It’s a little difficult to answer your question. If you want to know the cost to print the book you can look at the pricing guide. If you’re asking how much it costs to do the work to produce the book – that may be a very difficult question to answer as every book has different facits to it. For example I recently self-published a family history book. It took me over a year to organize my research and write the stories. I also restored and colorized over 300 photographs for the book. The book was 320 pages. If my yearly salary was $30,000 – then the book cost me $30,000 to produce – will I make $30,000 on the book – no way . Would I do another – absolutely! Because your family history is priceless it’s worth every hour of time to preserve it. Sorry that probably did not answer your question – but it might give you an idea of how difficult it may be to answer your question.	Posted by Bebensee May 1, 2009 10:21pm PDT Permalink

I would guess most people are self publishing because the couldn’t get a regular publishing company to ‘buy’ their book and send them royalties. I’m doing a similar 8×10 color family history book, which I’ll go to the max of 440 pages. It’ll cost about $100 each with shipping. I’ve been working on this book for seven years. I’ve spent money on cross sountry trips, motels, cameras, copiers, computer equipment, etc., and then find Blurb. It doesn’t really matter what it costs as the finished book will be invaluable to those that purchase it. How much will I ‘earn’ on the book – nothing! It’s only a labor of love. My most recent book on another subject (photo book) cost me a week of evenings, and the Blurb charges for printing and shipping to me. It’s apples and oranges to compare these two. It’s really hard to self publish at an economical price for resale. Would I pay $39.95 for somebody else’s photo book? I think NOT! The alternative is to get a regular publisher who will handle everything for you (if they don’t send you a reject letter), and that’ll still likely cost you a bundle, at least at first, before those royalty checks start rolling in. In my opinion, self publishing for profit is only good for people that have new information on niche subjects, and have the contacts for selling them. Sorry I didn’t answer your question!	Posted by koolkat May 3, 2009 8:00pm PDT Permalink

Research costs are never the same for any book project. You also need to figure in the legal fees (Isbn, LCCN, copyright registration, trademarks, etc.) and any attorney consultation costs. After the book is complete (published), how much does it cost to distribute and market? There are so many aspects to a self-publishing project, it is difficult to ball-park the costs.	Posted by dilbert1965 May 5, 2009 2:01pm PDT Permalink

kath88, Your question is kinda too broad and not specific enough. Cordially, Brian {a passionately Blurbarian}	Posted by brianbonitz May 5, 2009 2:34pm PDT Permalink