Post by account_disabled on Dec 3, 2023 8:51:17 GMT
The variable costs can be much for a decent-sized novel using POD publishing. The fixed set-up costs are generally minimal, though a knockout book cover will cost a few hundred bucks from a professional designer.
Let's look at the math a self-publisher faces, using a Phone Number List company such as LSI in the UK, round figures only, and short-run POD printing (though these costs are applicable in other currencies after conversion):ISBN - in the UK, you have to buy a block of 12, at about 120 (including tax), Book Cover 300, Cover Set up 21, Interior Set up 21, 1st proof copy 21. This makes a total of 483.
There will be other fixed costs, such as a professional editor (advisable), and the first-time self-publisher may need extra proof or two.
Base cost 0.70, 350 pages @ .011 3.85. Total variable cost per copy 4.55
Now, if we want to get this ordered by the retail trade, we have to offer them a reasonable profit of 40%. So, the production cost of 4.55 is 60% of the final cost, and 3.04 is the 40% margin for the bookseller, making a total of 7.59. Most of the retail chains will only take books 'on consignment', and the author/self-publisher will have to take a risk in that regard.
Now, how much 'profit' does the self-publisher want to make on the book (ignoring the fixed costs recovery for now)? Is 40p reasonable? That would put the shelf price of the book at 7.99.
So, how can a self-publisher improve her profits?
Of course, if the author sells the books directly - say from their author's website- they will get the 40% trade margin. Although less likely to be small, volumes need developing a website and some internet and/or offline marketing - marketing will be required anyway.
Quick Tip: Use Backlink Monitor to Monitor your Backlinks on the go
Trim Size and Weight
Profit can be increased by choosing a large trim size (final book size), thereby decreasing page count. The format is critical. A book's thickness is important so buyers feel they get value for money. 12 or 13-point fonts, with lots of white space, suggest that a book is being padded, and for the self-publisher, it adds cost. How do you feel about buying a large format novel that is 'thin'?
Let's look at the math a self-publisher faces, using a Phone Number List company such as LSI in the UK, round figures only, and short-run POD printing (though these costs are applicable in other currencies after conversion):ISBN - in the UK, you have to buy a block of 12, at about 120 (including tax), Book Cover 300, Cover Set up 21, Interior Set up 21, 1st proof copy 21. This makes a total of 483.
There will be other fixed costs, such as a professional editor (advisable), and the first-time self-publisher may need extra proof or two.
Base cost 0.70, 350 pages @ .011 3.85. Total variable cost per copy 4.55
Now, if we want to get this ordered by the retail trade, we have to offer them a reasonable profit of 40%. So, the production cost of 4.55 is 60% of the final cost, and 3.04 is the 40% margin for the bookseller, making a total of 7.59. Most of the retail chains will only take books 'on consignment', and the author/self-publisher will have to take a risk in that regard.
Now, how much 'profit' does the self-publisher want to make on the book (ignoring the fixed costs recovery for now)? Is 40p reasonable? That would put the shelf price of the book at 7.99.
So, how can a self-publisher improve her profits?
Of course, if the author sells the books directly - say from their author's website- they will get the 40% trade margin. Although less likely to be small, volumes need developing a website and some internet and/or offline marketing - marketing will be required anyway.
Quick Tip: Use Backlink Monitor to Monitor your Backlinks on the go
Trim Size and Weight
Profit can be increased by choosing a large trim size (final book size), thereby decreasing page count. The format is critical. A book's thickness is important so buyers feel they get value for money. 12 or 13-point fonts, with lots of white space, suggest that a book is being padded, and for the self-publisher, it adds cost. How do you feel about buying a large format novel that is 'thin'?