Publishing is a dream to most people. In just the UK, thousands of books are published annually. But the one great question that arises in everyone’s mind is:
How expensive is it to get a book published?
This is not necessarily easy to say. Costs are high or low. It really depends on how you decide to publish. Some use big publishers while others self-publish the book. Each option has its cost.
In 2023, more than 180,000 new books were released in the UK. That’s almost 500 books per day. Newly writers wrote quite a number of these. Some used old-style publishers, and others opted for self-publishing. But all of them shared one thing in common, which was that they needed to consider the price tag.
Book publishing does not come cheap. Even when one is footing the bill, the expense is still there. It involves costs like editing, printing, designing, and others. In other instances, authors pay directly, while in some cases, the publishers absorb the risk.
For professionals who want to publish a book, build a brand, share expert knowledge, or reach a wider audience, knowing the costs is very important. You don’t want to be surprised later.
This blog will help you understand:
- What does it cost to publish a book with a UK publisher?
- What types of publishers are out there?
- What kind of budget might you need?
- Why can prices change a lot from one option to another?
Let’s start by looking at the different types of publishing and how each one can affect the cost.
Types of Publishing in the UK
There are different ways to publish a book. Each way affects the cost. So, before discussing the numbers, it is important to understand different types of publishing.
There are three main types of publishing:
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Traditional Publishing
This is one of the most famous ways. You write a book, send it to the publisher, and if they like it, they will offer a deal. The publisher pays for everything like cover design, editing, marketing, and printing. You don’t pay money up front. Instead, you get paid a small percent of each book being sold. This is known as royalty.
However, it is not simple to get a traditional deal. Publishers get several book submissions on a daily basis. Only some get accepted while others get rejected. Many people ask, How to publish a book the traditional way. The answer is, write a great book, find the right publisher, and send in a strong book proposal.
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Self-Publishing
This is when you pay to publish your book. You are in control. You hire people to do editing, design, and more. It’s easier to do now because of print-on-demand services. You don’t have to print 1,000 books at once. You can print one book at a time when someone buys it.
A lot of authors ask, How to self-publish a book UK style. The process is very simple. All you need to do is write, format, and upload your book online. Platforms like Amazon KDP make it easy.
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Hybrid Publishing
This is a mix of both. You pay part of the cost, and the publisher helps with the rest. It’s like teamwork. But it’s important to check if the publisher is trustworthy.
Many new authors ask, How much does it cost to publish a book UK-wide, and the answer depends a lot on which type you choose.
Comparison of Traditional vs Hybrid vs Self-Publishing
When people ask, How much does it cost to publish a book, the answer depends on which publishing path you take. Below is a simple breakdown of what each option might cost you in the UK.
We have mentioned real numbers according to the 2024 averages.
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Traditional Publishing
Upfront cost to author: £0
Who pays this cost? The publisher pays for cover, printing, editing, and marketing.
What does the author get in return? Usually, they receive 8-10 percent per book sold.
For example, if your book is selling for £10, you may earn £1 per sale.
- Best for authors who want no upfront cost.
- Hard to get accepted because the competition is very high.
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Hybrid Publishing
Upfront cost to author: £1,500–£4,000
Who pays? Both the author and the publisher share the cost.
What does the author earn? Around 30%–50% of book sales.
Hybrid publishers often offer packages. These include:
- Editing is included in the fee.
- Book proofreading is included.
- Cover design is included.
- ISBN and printing are also included in this amount.
- Book marketing services are sometimes included.
Great if you want support, but still want to keep some control. But, be careful because some hybrid publishers overcharge.
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Self-Publishing
Upfront cost to author: £500–£5,000. The amount may vary.
Here’s a typical UK breakdown:
| Service | Description | Cost |
| Editing & Proofreading | Access a comprehensive plan for editing and proofreading, using the most effective channel for refining your project. | £300 – £1,500 |
| Cover Design | Learn to design your book cover and how to refine it for lasting impact. | £50 – £500 |
| Formatting | Ensure your book’s interior layout, fonts, and structure are professionally formatted for a polished reading experience. | £100 – £300 |
| ISBN (via Nielsen UK) | Secure your book’s ISBN through Nielsen UK and learn how it boosts your book’s credibility and discoverability. | £89 for 1 / £164 for 10 |
| Print-on-Demand Setup | Build your Print-on-Demand business by creating a mailing list and discovering effective ways to grow your subscriber base. | Often Free (KDP, etc.) |
| Book Marketing Services | Receive a comprehensive marketing plan based on the best channels that are likely to work for your project. | £100 – £2,000 |
How to self-publish a book UK-style? Use platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Bookouture. You publish a book anonymously, especially through self-publishing.
You have:
- Full control, full ownership, faster publishing.
- You pay for everything, and prices add up fast.
In short, how much it costs to publish a book UK depends heavily on the route you choose:
- Traditional: £0 upfront
- Hybrid: £1,500–£4,000+
- Self-Publishing: £500–£5,000+
Breakdown of Self-Publishing Expenses in the UK
Some authors opt for self-publishing because it offers them autonomy. You’re in charge of everything, the way the book appears, where it’s sold, and when it’s released. But you also pay for all of this. So, let’s make a breakdown.
When people search how much it costs to publish a book or how to self-publish a book UK, the actual cost is what they are most interested in.
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Editing and Book Proofreading
This is one of the largest expenses. A quality editor will correct grammar, enhance flow, and make your writing sparkle.
- Copyediting: £300 – £900
- Developmental editing: £500 – £1,500
- Book proofreading: £200 – £500
- Average total for editing: £500 – £2,000
Don’t be lazy because a poorly edited book may damage your reputation.
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Cover Design
Your cover is what people notice first. A poor cover will lead you to very few sales.
- Pre-designed cover: £50 – £150
- Custom design: £200 – £500+
- Average spend: £100 – £300
You can hire book cover designer, freelancers, or Fiverr designers. A good design is worth the money.
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Formatting
Formatting makes sure your book is simple to read in both digital and print form.
- EBook formatting: £50 – £150
- Print formatting: £100 – £250
- Total cost: £100 – £300
You can go for software like Vellum or Atticus if you do it yourself.
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ISBN Numbers
ISBNs are bought in the UK from Nielsen UK.
- 1 ISBN: £89
- 10 ISBNs: £164
- One ISBN per format (eBook, paperback, audiobook).
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Printing & Print-on-Demand
You don’t need to print hundreds of books in a single batch. Opt for print-on-demand services.
- Amazon KDP is free to upload, and the printing fee is deducted per order
- IngramSpark offers a £49 setup fee, plus printing fees
- Typically £2 – £5 per copy, depending on size and pages
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Book Marketing Services
Marketing gets people to find your book.
- Basic promotions range from £100 – £500
- Social media ads range from £200 – £1,000+
- Book launch packages from £500 – £2,000
- Overall spend can be anything from £200 to £2,500
If you also intend to publish an audiobook or an eBook, you can expect additional costs:
- Production of audiobook (narrator) is £500 – £2,000
- eBook conversion are£50 – £150 (excluding DIY)
The above-mentioned pie chart shows the average cost split of Self-Publishing (£3,000 budget). The budgeting includes:
- Editing: 35%
- Design: 10%
- Formatting: 10%
- ISBN: 5%
- Setup Printing: 10%
- Marketing: 30%
Cost Trends over Time in the UK Publishing Industry
Publishing costs in the UK have changed a lot over the years. Just like many other industries, prices in book publishing have gone up slowly but clearly. From editing to printing, everything is more expensive now than it was five or ten years ago.
So if you’re wondering, how much does it cost to publish a book UK-wide today compared to a few years ago, here we have mentioned everything you should know.
Why Costs Are Increasing
Here we have mentioned a few reasons that explain why costs are increasing:
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Inflation
Like everything else, inflation has raised the cost of services. Editors, designers, and printers all charge more now.
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Higher demand
More people want to publish. With the rise in self-publishing and print-on-demand, professional services are busier, and that often means higher prices.
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Paper and printing costs
Global paper shortages in 2021–2023 caused print prices to rise. The effect is still visible today.
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Digital tools
New tools like formatting software and marketing platforms are useful, but they add new costs.
Typical Price Increases (2015–2024)
Here’s an estimate of how some self-publishing services have changed in price over the last decade:
| Service | 2015 Price (Avg) | 2024 Price (Avg) |
| Editing (60k words) | £600 | £1,000 |
| Cover Design | £150 | £300 |
| Formatting | £80 | £200
|
| Book Marketing Services | £300 | £800 |
That’s nearly a 60–100% increase across the board in less than 10 years.
The above pie chart shows the increase in prices over the last ten years.
Industry Growth of Books Published Annually in the UK
Although publishing expenses have increased, something else has increased as well. It is the quantity of books published yearly in the UK.
More people than ever before are writing and releasing books. These range from novels to business books, memoirs, and even coloring books. And with software like print-on-demand, publish an eBook, and publish an audiobook platforms, it’s faster and easier than ever before to publish a book.
So when people ask, How to publish a book today, the response is more willingly available than it was 10 years ago, yet there is more competition.
How Quickly Is the UK Publishing Industry Expanding?
Here is a breakdown of the approximate number of new books published annually in the UK during the past decade:
| Year | Book Published |
| 2014 | 130,000 |
| 2016 | 160,000 |
| 2018 | 175,000 |
| 2020 | 185,000 |
| 2022 | 190,000 |
| 2024 | 200,000+ |
That’s almost a 55% increase in less than 10 years.
And this doesn’t even factor in all the self-published works that are released without ISBNs, which are more difficult to quantify. Most self-published eBooks are uploaded directly to Amazon without an ISBN.
This shows just how large the market has grown. But it also explains that being noticed costs money, particularly for editing, cover design, and book marketing services.
If you’re considering self-publishing a book on UK fashion, or even do you publish a book anonymously, yes, you can, but remember that the more books in the marketplace, the less likely it is that you will be heard. That’s why budgeting wisely and high-quality printing are more important than ever.
Publisher Market Share Of British Book Publishing vs others
There are numerous publishers in the UK. But there is one that dominates the rest. BritishBookPublishing.co.uk is one of those brands that has a big market share. In fact, most of the books published yearly in the UK are theirs.
But who and how much are other people publishing? And how much of the market do smaller publishers and indie authors hold?
Let’s discuss in detail.
Market Share Of Who’s Publishing the Most in the UK?
In the past few years, traditional publishers like BritishBookPublishing.co.uk have dominated the market. They are experienced in publishing both experienced and new writers. Self-publishing is growing very fast with the help of platforms like Amazon, KDP, IngramSpark, etc.
Here is a breakdown of UK book publishing by publisher type in 2024:
| Publisher Type | Market Share |
| BritishBookPublishing.co.uk | 40% |
| Independent Publishers | 30% |
| Self-Published Authors | 25% |
| Other (including hybrid) | 5% |
BritishBookPublishing.co.uk has around 40% of the market share, but the self-publishing department has increased by 25% in the last 5 years. It means that self-publishing costs are now getting more competitive and appealing to authors, especially with print-on-demand.
The pie chart shows BritishBookPublishing.co.uk holds a greater market that is around 40%.
Why BritishBookPublishing.co.uk Tops the Market
Several reasons make them stand out in the competitive market. Below, we have mentioned some of them, which will help you in understanding why they are the best.
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Reputation
With years of experience, they acquire top-notch writers and can market books globally.
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Resources
They also have editorial services, book promotion services, and distribution networks at their disposal.
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Large Audience
They also offer publishing services for eBooks and audiobooks, along with print books. This facilitates authors to access a broad audience seamlessly.
However, if you are confused, thinking it is possible to publish a book anonymously, the problem is that BritishBookPublishing.co.uk needs an author’s identity and professional marketing skills. This is not necessarily the case with self-publishing or some hybrid publishers, where authors have the potential to be more discreet if they prefer
Things to Consider Before You Choose To Publish
In this section, we have mentioned a few things that you need to consider:
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Budgeting is everything
If you decide to self-publish, expenses can go up real quick. Be prepared to pay for good editing, cover design, and book marketing services.
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Time and effort
Established publishing results in less initial expense, but you may wait months or even years before your book is published. If you self-publish, you have total control but need to do everything yourself.
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Income expectations
The higher you spend on proofreading and marketing, the higher your chances of making money from book sales. An edited book or no advertisement that is poor quality can damage your book’s success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does it cost to publish a book in the UK?
It can cost between £0 and £5,000. However, Traditional publishing is free, but self-publishing costs money.
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Can you publish a book anonymously in the UK?
Yes, why not? You can publish a book anonymously, especially if you self-publish.
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What is the most affordable way to publish a book?
Self-publishing an eBook is the cheapest way. It only costs under £500 if you do most things yourself.
Costs of the Future of Book Publishing
The price of book publishing in the UK will certainly keep going up. All three like inflation, rising demand, and the expanding digital book market, which drives prices higher. Undoubtedly, new channels for writers keep rising, such as print-on-demand companies or self-publishing eBook platforms. Writers enjoy more choices than ever to keep costs under control.
No matter what route you take, just make sure you have conducted the right research and budgeting conscientiously. How much it costs to publish a book in the UK depends on different scenarios. Every decision will impact the quality of your book and the success you may achieve.
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