Cost Estimates for Writing and Self-Publishing a Book

Ghostwriting Services

For a book of up to 25,000 words in length (typically 125–175 pages, depending on the interior layout), my standard writing and project-coordination fee is $14,500.

This fee covers the following services:

• Helping you clarify the purposes of your book, both to you and your readers
• Helping you identify your target audience and how you will reach them
• Brainstorming your book's title and subtitle
• Creating a conceptual approach for your book to ensure that it gets noticed and gets results
• Encusring that the content of your book is logically organized, clearly focused, and comprehensively presented
• Writing an introduction (preface) for your book that captures the essence of what your book's about and why people should read it
• Writing draft chapters for you to review, working from any written documents you can provide and from personal interviews (usually on the phone), always with the goal of conserving your time
• Refining draft content so your final manuscript presents your thoughts in your voice
• Writing the dedication, appendices, biographical information, cover copy, and other supportive content for your book 
• Offering publication and marketing advice when helpful
• Connecting you with the resources you need to get your book successfully published and distributed

A $4,500 non-refundable retainer starts the process. The remaining amount is due in monthly installments of $2,500.

Most of my clients find that their books fit within this 25,000-word framework. If the scope of your project exceeds 25,000 words, the fee is simply increased by $250 for each additional 500 words. This provides you with flexibility to increase the length of your book without altering the ghostwriting agreement.

Appendices, website copy, white papers, articles, and other documents completed in conjunction with the book will be considered to be part of the book for the purpose of calculating fees.

Self-Publishing Package

If you desire, I will publish your book through my publishing company, Wool Street Publishing. A fee of $650 covers the following services:

• Coordination of custom cover design

I will arrange for the design of your book's cover, with your input and approval, of course. The designer will invoice you directly, without any markup for our services. Custom cover designs typically cost $750 to $1500.

• Coordination of interior layout (typesetting)

I will coordinate the interior layout for you and arrange for you to pay th typesetter directly, without any markup for my services. The cost of interior layout generally ranges from $900 to $1200.

• Coordination of printing

I will secure quotes from reliable, professional printers and help you chose the one that's best for you. The printer will bill you directly, without any markup added for our coordination services. Because you'll have a direct relationship with your printer, you'll be able to order additional copies of your book at any time at the printer's price.

Printing costs vary according to the size of the book and the length of the print run. The per-copy price decreases as the print quantity increases.

Printing 500 copies of a soft-cover book of 150 pages costs approximately $1,000 ($2.00 per book). Printing 300 copies costs about $800 ($2.50 per book). Naturally, hard cover books cost more.

Very small quantities can be printed rather economically using print-on-demand (POD) services.

• ISBN & bar code

I will provide these for you.

• Copyright registration

Your book is automatically copyright-protected as soon as you write it, but copyright registration provides an additional level of protection. As part of my self-publishing package, I will register your book with the U.S. Copyright Office.

• Books in Print listing

Bowker's Advance Book Information (ABI) service ensures that your book will be listed with Books in Print and several other directories. This is advisable for authors seeking wide distribution. If you desire, I will provide this service for you.

• Library of Congress filing

If you plan to sell your book to libraries, you will need a Preassigned Control Number (PCN) from the Library of Congress. If you need a PCN, I will handle this for you.

• Amazon.com listing

If you desire, I will submit your book to the Amazon Advantage program. This service includes writing the promotional copy and fulfilling the first order for Amazon's inventory.

I will be glad to fulfill future orders from Amazon.com, or from your other customers, for our normal rate of $9.00 for the first book and $1.50 for each additional book in the same shipment.

• Marketing assistance

To help you gain maximum return from your self-publishing investment, I will provide marketing advice as seems helpful and appropriate. If you desire, we will also recommend marketing consultants and other resources to help you increase the success of your marketing efforts.

Professional Proofreading

As your ghostwriter, I'll do my best to make sure your book is free from grammatical errors. However, it is advisable to have an experienced proofreader look over your final manuscript with a fresh pair of eyes before your book goes to press. The cost of this service will vary depending on the size of your book, but it's typically in the $200 range.

Distribution Services

Wool Street Publishing can arrange for distribution of your book to bookstores and other outlets, if desired. Inquire about details.

Summary of Estimated Costs

Writing and self-publishing a book usually costs less than $20,000. Below is a typical budget:

Of course, you will want to budget some additional funds for marketing. Your new book can serve as a catalyst and a vehicle for taking your overall business marketing program to the next higher level.