The average cost of publishing a book is around $2,000–$4,000, but many authors spend a lot less or a lot more. Publishing a book can cost as little as $0 in some scenarios. On the other end of the scale, there are also authors who spend $10,000 or more. That's a very large range, but there's a good reason for it.

What factors contribute to the high cost of books? There are several factors that can contribute to the high and rising cost of getting books published, including distribution costs, the paper, physical resources needed, and author royalties. Publishers also incur marketing expenses to get a book into the public eye.