Costs and numbers
Professionally publishing a book can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a single service to many thousands for a full program, depending on how much is done for you.
Big Impact Books does not list fixed prices on this site, because its pricing depends on the scope of each book. This page collects published market prices and industry statistics, each with its source, so you can judge costs and returns before you talk to any provider.
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The main question
It depends on scope. Single services sit at the low end: BookBaby's editing page lists book editing services starting at $399 (BookBaby). Marketing spans a wider range: a 2026 Manuscript Report review of 16 companies found published book marketing prices from $10 to $9,499 (Manuscript Report). Full writing, publishing, and marketing programs cost more because they replace many separate purchases.
The useful question for an expert is not only the price but what the book needs to do. A book meant to win clients, speaking invitations, and media attention should be judged against the value of those opportunities, not against royalties alone.
Price drivers
Rights
Terms vary by provider, so always read the contract. As one published example, Scribe Media states: “Yes, you retain all rights, creative control, and 100% of royalties with every Scribe service” (Scribe Media). That is Scribe's own policy, not a Big Impact Books term; ask any provider, including Big Impact Books, to confirm rights and royalties in writing.
By the numbers
Published industry statistics that help put costs and returns in context, each with its source.
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual indie author earnings (ALLi 2025 survey) | $13,500 | Writer Cosmos |
| Median for traditionally published authors (same report) | $6,000 to $8,000 | Writer Cosmos |
| Self-published ebook royalties authors can keep | Up to 70% | Writer Cosmos |
| Global self-publishing market growth | 16.7% CAGR | Writer Cosmos |
| Global books market, 2026 | About $135.49 billion, 3.11% CAGR | Writer Cosmos |
| Published book marketing prices, 16 companies | $10 to $9,499 | Manuscript Report |
| Freelance book marketer’s time | $500 to $2,500 | Manuscript Report |
| BookBub Featured Deals | $122 to $4,216 by genre | Manuscript Report |
| New titles with ISBNs, 2019 | More than 2.2 million | International Publishers Association |
Sources: Writer Cosmos, Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing (2026 Guide); Manuscript Report, Book Marketing Services: What 16 Companies Charge in 2026; International Publishers Association. These are market figures, not Big Impact Books results.
Worksheet
Divide your goal by what you earn per copy. At a 10% royalty on a $25 book, you earn $2.50 a copy, so $100,000 takes 40,000 copies and $1,000,000 takes 400,000. Try your own figures below.
At $25.00 with a 10% royalty, you earn about $2.50 per copy, so reaching $100,000.00 takes about 40,000 copies.
Estimate only, not financial advice. Assumes every copy sells at the full price you enter and pays the same royalty rate; it ignores discounts, returns, format differences, taxes, and agent fees. Copies are rounded up.
Those numbers are why experts working with Big Impact Books tend to measure a book's return in clients, speaking, and media opportunities. Read why on the books for CEOs page, or return to the Big Impact Books book publishing service overview.
Fit
If your budget only covers one service, such as editing, a single-service provider may suit you better than a full program. If you have time to learn every step and want the lowest cost, a free self-publishing platform may fit. If you want an advance and bookstore distribution, pursue a traditional publisher. Big Impact Books fits experts who want the book planned, written, published, and promoted together.
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