My base fee for editing and publishing work is AU$65 per hour. Specialist work costs more so ask for a quote.
A surcharge of 20% is applied to any urgent work.
My workloads vary from day to day so email me any questions or requirements.
I only accept payments by Paypal (email: topping.john@gmail.com)
or bank deposit, contact me for bank details.
What are the costs of book publishing and editing services in Australia?
The costs of book publishing and editing services in Australia vary depending on the type of service, manuscript length, genre, and the level of professional expertise required. Below is a detailed breakdown based on available information, focusing on self-publishing as it involves direct costs to the author. All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST where applicable.
Editing Services Editing is one of the most significant costs in self-publishing, with different types of editing tailored to specific needs:
Manuscript Assessment/Evaluation: Provides feedback on structure, plot, characters, and marketability without detailed edits. Cost: $500–$1,000 for a 40,000-word book; $640–$800 for an 80,000-word manuscript. Example: Australian Self-Publishing Group offers a light critique for $175 or a full critique for $395, focusing on marketing improvements.
Developmental/Structural Editing: Focuses on big-picture elements like plot, pacing, character arcs, and coherence. Cost: $500–$3,600 for a 40,000-word book, with higher rates for manuscripts needing extensive work. For an 80,000-word book, expect $2,000–$4,720. Rates may be higher for genres like historical fiction or nonfiction due to fact-checking needs.
Copyediting/Line Editing: Addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, and sentence flow. Cost: $1,000–$3,200 for a 60,000-word book; $1,600–$3,200 for a 40,000-word book. Per-word rates range from 2–6 cents. Example: Author Services Australia quotes per manuscript, emphasizing tailored pricing. Proofreading: Final check for typos, spelling, and minor errors after formatting. Cost: $600–$1,250 for a 40,000-word book; $700 for a 60,000-word book. For a 145,847-word book, standard rates are ~$2,916, but some providers offer it for ~$1,250. Australian Self-Publishing Group charges ~$1,250 for a 145,847-word book, significantly below the standard 2 cents per word.
Beta Reading or Additional Services: Beta readers provide reader-focused feedback, often cheaper than professional editing. Cost: Varies, typically less than $200, depending on the reader’s experience. Indexing (for nonfiction): $50–$2,000, with an average of $500.
Factors Affecting Editing Costs:
Word Count: Longer manuscripts cost more. Manuscript Quality: Polished drafts require less work, reducing costs.
Genre: Nonfiction, historical fiction, or picture books may incur higher fees due to specialized requirements.
Editor Experience: More experienced editors charge higher rates (e.g., $45–$60/hr for developmental editing vs. $30–$40/hr for copyediting).
Book Design and Formatting Cover Design: Essential for market appeal, varying by genre and complexity. Cost: $200–$1,500. Specific ranges include:
Children’s books: $250–$400 Memoirs/family history: $350–$550 Business/nonfiction: $650–$800 Fiction: $750–$900 Example: Jennifer Lancaster notes some designers charge $280–$350 for a cover.
Interior Layout/Typesetting: Involves font selection, spacing, and formatting for print or eBook. Cost: $450–$3,200 for a 40,000-word book, with higher costs for complex layouts (e.g., cookbooks with images). A 60,000-word novel may cost ~$1,600. Nonfiction books with tables or graphs start at $450 but often require custom quotes.
eBook Conversion: Formatting for ePub or Kindle formats.
Cost: Included in some packages or ~$500–$800 as a standalone service.
Printing and Production Print-on-Demand (POD): Cost-effective for small runs, with no minimum order. Cost: $3–$14 per book, depending on page count and specifications. For a 60,000-word trade paperback (100 copies), expect ~$755.35 (~$7.55/book) including shipping.
Platforms: Amazon KDP (free to publish, printing costs deducted from royalties) and IngramSpark (~$65 setup fee).
Offset Printing: Suitable for large runs (1,000+ copies), but expensive and requires storage. Cost: Higher per-unit cost for small runs; a 2,000-copy run of a 25,000-word book may cost significantly more than POD. Example: MVP Print quotes $6.50–$11.20 per book for 50 copies of 100–300 pages via digital printing.
ISBN and Cataloguing: ISBN: $40–$85 each, or $295 for a block of 10 (Thorpe-Bowker, Australia’s ISBN agency). National Library of Australia cataloguing (Trove): Often included in publishing packages or free if done manually.
Marketing and Distribution Marketing Services: Includes social media, media releases, and promotional materials. Cost: $200–$10,000, depending on scope. First-time authors typically spend
Editing: $2,200–$5,900 (manuscript assessment, copyediting, proofreading, optional developmental editing)
Design: $1,500–$4,700 (cover, interior layout, eBook formatting)
Printing: $755–$1,400 for 100 POD copies or higher for offset
Marketing/Distribution: $300–$2,000 ISBN: $85–$295 Total: ~$4,058–$14,295, with a typical range of $4,500–$5,500 for fiction/business nonfiction.
For a 60,000-word novel:
Editing: $2,700–$6,520 (copyediting, proofreading, optional developmental editing)
Design: $1,600–$4,700 Printing: ~$755 for 100 POD copies
Marketing/Distribution: $300–$2,000 ISBN: $85–$295 Total: ~$5,440–$14,270, averaging ~$3,000–$4,000 without extensive marketing.
For a children’s book (shorter word count, high design needs):
Total: $1,000–$2,000, driven by illustrations and cover design.
Additional Considerations DIY Options: Authors with editing or design skills can reduce costs, but professional services are recommended for market success.
Packages: Providers like Brisbane Self Publishing Service or Publicious offer bundled services, potentially lowering costs.
Time Investment: Writing a 30,000-word book may take 80–120 hours, valued at $19,200 at $150/hr, though this is not a direct cost.
Hybrid Publishing: Combines self-publishing costs with professional support, increasing costs but offering higher royalties than traditional publishing.
Avoiding Scams: Steer clear of high-cost “subsidy presses” ($4,000+ contracts) that promise success but deliver little. Tips to Manage Costs Edit your manuscript thoroughly before hiring professionals to reduce editing time. Shop around for quotes from reputable providers like Author Services Australia or Green Hill Publishing. Use POD to avoid large upfront printing costs and storage issues. Invest in a course like Jennifer Lancaster’s Book Creation Self-Publish ($260) for guidance on cost-effective publishing. Budget for marketing, as even a high-quality book needs promotion to sell.
Sources Costs are derived from multiple Australian self-publishing sources, including Australian Self-Publishing Group, Madhouse Media, Publish Central, Jennifer Lancaster, Brisbane Self Publishing Service, MVP Print, Publicious, and Author Services Australia.
For precise costs, request quotes, as pricing depends on your manuscript’s specific needs. If you need help planning your budget, let me know!
