Many authors underestimate how much it costs to publish a book. Whether it’s a 100,000-word manuscript or a children’s picture book, costs can add up quickly: Example – 100k Word Manuscript Editing: ~$0.04/word → ~$4,000 Cover Design: ~$500 (can be more or less) Formatting/Book Design: $50–$200 Proof Copies / ARC Copies: Variable Example – Children’s Picture Book Editing: $250–$400 Illustrations: $2,500–$10,000 (estimate ~$100 per picture) Formatting/Book Design: $50–$200 Proof Copies / ARC Copies: Variable And this doesn’t even include your marketing budget! 😅 As a book promotion specialist, I help authors not just navigate these costs, but make smart investments that actually generate sales. I’ve helped authors launch books and start seeing real results in dollars. If you’re curious about how to make your publishing dollars work harder, I can share strategies that actually get books in front of readers—and boost sales. Comment if you want to learn more.

4 books, countless lessons, and a lot of growth behind the scenes. publishing isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. What part of the journey are you navigating right now?

For those who’ve been self-publishing for a while… What mistake cost you the most time or money when you started? I’d love to avoid it

What part of the writing or publishing process surprised you the most once you actually started doing it?