What publishing costs

It is reasonable to ask what publishing your book will cost. Your manuscript, page count, print specifications and the support you need shape that figure. We review the work with you and prepare a proposal for your book, with the scope and price clear before production begins.

Use this guide to understand the main cost drivers, check what is included and compare proposals on the same scope.

What moves the number

• Extent — how many pages, after design, not after Word’s estimate.
• Colour — a text novel in black ink is a different object from an illustrated book.
• Paper and binding — choice is not decoration; it is the object in the hand.
• Print run — the unit cost falls as the run rises, and unsold copies are still paid for.
• Language and script — Nepali, English, bilingual interiors, and Devanagari typesetting are not the same job.
• Editorial depth — a light copy-edit is not a structural rebuild, and neither is writing the book.
• Writing support — developing a manuscript from notes is a different engagement from editing a finished draft.
• Time — a dedicated house that stays with you costs more than a file dropped on a printer.
• The public life of the book — a campaign is not a Facebook post on publication day.

What a quote should separate

Your proposal should separate editorial work, design, pre-press, printing, bibliographic work, distribution and campaign support where included. Ask about revision rounds, extra work and exclusions. A clear breakdown helps you understand what you are paying for and compare like with like.

What is usually not in a print quote

• The months of thinking and rewriting.
• A campaign that still exists after the launch photograph.
• Distribution that is more than a stack left at one counter.
• Corrections after you change your mind in proof.
• A second edition.

Timeline, which is also money

Editing depth, translation, illustrations, author approvals and print specifications affect the schedule. Tell us the date you are working towards and what material is ready. We can discuss the stages and dependencies before proposing a schedule.

Questions