Free · 90 seconds · PDF output
The Self-Publishing Cost Calculator.
Estimate the full cost of your self-published book project in 90 seconds. Word count, genre, services bundled. Get a one-page PDF with cost breakdown and royalty projections at three sales scenarios.
How it works
Five inputs. One honest number.
- Word count. Choose a target range (50k, 70k, 90k, 120k). The calculator scales per-word pricing across editing and ghostwriting.
- Genre. Different categories have different pricing modifiers — children's involves illustration, memoir adds interview hours, audiobook varies by finished-hour.
- Service stack. Check the services you actually need. The calculator does not bundle-sell extras.
- Launch marketing. Optional 30-day Amazon Ads + PR sprint added to the total.
- Sales scenario. Three projected sales bands. Outputs 12-month royalty estimate at each band.
The PDF you get
Five sample pages from the output.
Calculator FAQ
What you'll want to know.
What does the calculator estimate?
End-to-end project cost (ghostwriting or editing, cover, formatting, KDP setup, IngramSpark setup, optional audiobook, optional 30-day launch marketing). It also estimates 12-month and 24-month royalty against three sales scenarios. Outputs a one-page PDF you can take to your accountant.
Is it accurate?
It uses our actual published pricing as the base, applies the variables you input (word count, genre, services bundled), and lands within 15% of the final quote on 88% of projects. It is a budgeting tool, not a contract.
Do I have to give my email?
Yes — you receive the calculator at your email and the one-page PDF stays in your inbox so your accountant can find it later. We do not call you; we email an educational sequence and a monthly newsletter.
Will the calculator pitch me services?
It will reference our service tiers because those are the inputs. It does not nag, upsell, or sequence you into a sales call.
Ready when you are
Want a real quote, not a projection?
A 30-minute discovery call with a senior editor. Written quote within 48 hours. Within 15% of the calculator estimate on 88% of projects.