Cost of publishing a book in India

Do you often wonder how much it costs to publish a book in India?

For a writer, the ultimate goal is to see their work getting published. The emotions you pour onto paper in the form of words beg to be shared with the world. Imagine holding your book in your hands. This thought brings you immense joy and happiness, doesn’t it? If you are an aspiring writer, you are likely filled with excitement and curiosity about the process of book publishing. But, are you also puzzled about the financial aspects of book publishing? What does it actually cost to publish a book in India? How much do you need to invest to turn your manuscript into a published book? 

In this article, we will shed light on mysteries surrounding the cost of publishing a book in India.

What does it truly cost to publish a book in India?

How much does it cost to publish a book in India? Well, I cannot think of a definitive answer to this question. Because cost of publishing a book depends upon the type of publishing you decide to go with. There are mainly two types of publishing: traditional publishing and self-publishing. Let us take a look at the cost of publishing a book in India in each case.

Cost of publishing a book through traditional publishing

Traditional publishing houses bear all the direct costs required to publish a book. This includes editing the manuscript, designing the cover page, printing, distributing and marketing the books. Once they accept a manuscript, they take care of every single thing required to publish the book. You just have to relax and relish your dream of getting published. As enticing as it sounds, getting your book published by traditional publishing houses, especially for aspiring authors, is not always easy. Primarily because supply is more than the demand. They receive huge number of manuscripts which makes it highly competitive for new authors to get noticed. The truth is, traditional publishing houses are very selective in choosing their authors.

Key considerations: 

• The stiff competition in traditional publishing makes it very difficult for aspiring authors to sign a deal with them. 
• As traditional publications bear all the direct costs required to publish a book, author gets very low percentage of royalties from them. The average percentage of royalties in India range from 7.5%-10%. 
• Authors have very little or no control over the content and cover design of their books. 
• After a manuscript is submitted, it may take a while to publish the book.

You can improve your chances of landing a book-deal by building an Author profile before pitching to traditional publishers. Check out our posts ‘Write for Us: A writer’s shortcut to getting published’, ’40 Literary Magazines to Submit your short-stories, non-fiction and poetry in India’ & ’22 Literary Magazines in Hindi – Publish Poetry, Short Stories, and Non-Fiction Online’.

Cost of publishing a book through Self-Publishing 

As traditional publishing houses became increasingly competitive, self-publishing became a popular way for authors to publish their books. Self-publishing has made publishing extremely easy for authors of all genres. It also gives the author a lot of control over the whole process. So, it’s not much of a surprise that we have seen a steady rise in self-publishing companies in the last couple of years. Let’s take a look at how does it work and how much does it cost to publish a book through self-publishing?

Picture courtesy: IZZARD INK Publishing

In self-publishing, an author publishes and distributes a book independently without any help from a traditional publisher. As the name suggests, the author is solely responsible for executing all the aspects of publishing a book. Be it editing, designing, or marketing of the book. Now, there are two things to keep in mind. Self-publishing gives you freedom to decide what content and design you want for your book. But this freedom comes with a price. You will need to pay for the services you choose to outsource such as editing, cover design etc. The final cost of publishing a book will depend on the requirements and charges of these services for your book.  

The cost of publishing a book depend upon these typical publishing services:

Editing: Do not, I repeat, do not ever underestimate the power of editing. Editing makes sure that your text is free from grammatical errors and typos. For book lovers and readers, typos and errors can be off putting. Editing improves the flow of your writing and fix any holes in your manuscript. A good editor / a round of proper editing can elevate your manuscript to the next level. The average editing charges in India depend on the length and complexity of the manuscript. 

Data source: Reedsy

Check out our comprehensive list of 52 book editors in India – Fiction & Non-Fiction

Cover design: Forget the popular saying, but the truth is we often judge a book by it’s cover. Visually appealing covers hold the power to grab our attention instantly. Make sure that your cover page is eye-catching and appealing. The average charges of designing a cover in India ranges between 5000 INR- 20,000 INR and more depending on the expertise and popularity of the designer. However, if you are low on budget, you can always design your own cover through sites like Canva.

Formatting and Layout: Proper formatting is essential for a professional-looking book. You can either do it yourself or higher a professional formatter. Book formatters in India typically charge anywhere between 5000INR- 15,000INR. 

Printing: If you wish to publish physical copies of your book, you will need to consider the printing cost per unit. It is important to note that the cost of printing depends on certain factors such as book size, page count, printing quality, paper quality etc. 

Don’t get confused. Let’s consider an example to understand how the total costs can be calculated for self-publishing. 

Book specifications:

• Page count: 200 pages
• Book size: 5 inches by 8 inches
• Inner pages: Black and white
• Paper quality: standard quality paper

Printing cost per unit (assumptions)

• Book printing cost: 60-80 INR
• Printing company commission: 20-30 INR
• Total cost: 80- 110 INR

Note: As part of my research for this article, I had a conversation with a local printer who offers publishing services at the rates mentioned earlier. It is important to note that these charges can vary based on various factors. 

Number of copies

Let’s say you want to print 100 copies of your book. 

Total Printing cost: So, in this example, the total printing cost for 100 copies of your book would amount to anywhere between 8,000- 11,000INR. 

Note: Keep in mind that while calculating overall costs of self-publishing, other expenses such as cover design, editing and formatting etc. should also be considered. 

Key Considerations:

• With the advent of Self-publishing companies, publishing a book has become easier than ever. 
• Authors have to bear all the upfront costs themselves. This may include expenses of editing, cover design, formatting etc. This can get very expensive depending on the kind of services you choose to go with.

Pro tip: Note down the services that you are comfortable in doing yourself. For rest of the services, you can hire a skilled professional. This will help you cut-down on unnecessary costs. 

• Since there is no involvement of a traditional publication house, authors have full freedom over their content and other aspects. They also get hundred percent profit shares.
• Authors don’t have to wait for months or even years to get their books published. 

Publishing Packages

What if you fail to sign a deal with a traditional publisher? You like the idea of self-publishing but hate the hassle involved. What should you do if you find yourself in that position?

The rising popularity of self-publishing industry has compelled several publishing houses to offer various packages to assist authors in publishing their books. These packages are designed to provide a hassle-free publishing experience for authors. 

Let’s take a look at some of these packages.

• Basic package: Essential services like basic editing, cover design etc. are provided in this package. The average cost of basic package in India is somewhere between 8,000- 20,000 INR.
• Standard package: This package includes all the basic services and additional features such as advanced editing and book formatting etc. Such packages range from 25,000- 50,000 INR.
• Premium package: Apart from all the services in the basic and standard package, the premium package can offer you a comprehensive range of services such as custom cover design, getting ISBN, distribution of books etc.

Note: The charges may vary from one self-publishing company to another.

If you have a finished manuscript & are looking for a an editor, check out our list of 48 Self-Publishing Companies in India. And how to choose the right one.

How to apply for ISBN in India? 

International Standard Book Number or commonly known as ISBN is a 13-digit unique number which is assigned to each edition of a published book.

Picture courtesy: reedsyblog

In India, ISBN number is provided for free by the government. To apply for it, you need to visit the official website of the Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN. Once your application is processed and approved, an ISBN number will be assigned to your book. You can include the assigned ISBN on the back cover of your book.

Why is an ISBN number important?

• Think of an ISBN number as a fingerprint. It gives your book a unique identity and distinguishes it from other publications.
• To sell your books through libraries and online platforms, you need to provide them with an ISBN number to list and sell books.
• Bookstores use ISBNs to organize and sell their books. Want to see your book being displayed at a shelf in your favorite bookstore? Get an ISBN for your book.
• An ISBN number is required to register your book with copyright authorities. 

Ghost Writing

Ghost writing refers to the practice of hiring someone to write a book or story for them. In simple words, you hire someone to write the story on your behalf. They get paid, usually a hefty amount, to do so while you get full authority and credit over their work. 

It is a common practice among people:

• Who want to write a book but don’t have time for it.
• Who struggle to express their thoughts and ideas in written form.
• Celebrities or public figures who lack in expertise of writing a book.

Note: Ghost writing is a fascinating profession and it is legal too.

How much do Ghost writers charge?

The charges for ghostwriting typically depend on the length and complexity of the manuscript, experience and reputation of the ghostwriter in question and the scope of the project.

In India, the average charges range between 2Rs- 5Rs per word. For example, for a manuscript of 50,000 word, they may charge anywhere between 1,00,000INR- 2,50,000 INR. 

The Bottom Line:

• Take your time and conduct thorough research before deciding on how to publish your book.
• Make a clear list of your goals and expectations for publishing your book. How much of creative control you want to have over your book? Are you willing to make an investment to publish your book? Do you want to execute everything on your own? Or do you want a hassle-free experience? 
• Talk to authors who have already gone through the process. Nobody can guide you better than those who have walked in your shoes. Their valuable insights can help you make sound decisions.
• Writing and sharing your work with world is a remarkable feat. Embrace the process of bringing your book to life

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