How much does it cost to publish a children's book, What You Need to Know
- David Salariya
- Mar 14
- 6 min read
Publishing a children's book is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it’s important to understand the costs involved before going ahead.
Whether you go down the traditional publishing route or choose to self-publish, there are financial commitments at every stage, from editing and illustrations to printing, marketing, and distribution.
If you’re a UK-based author looking to bring your story to life, my guide will help you break down the essential costs so you can budget wisely and avoid any surprises!
First, let's get the mini takeaway before we get the real details.
Publishing a children's book depending on the format and extent can cost anywhere between £500 and £10,000+, covering editing (£200–£1,000), illustrations (£500–£5,000), ISBN (£91), formatting (£100–£500), printing (£2–£10 per copy), marketing (£50–£2,000), and distribution fees. Traditional publishing covers costs but takes royalties; self-publishing requires an upfront investment.
Ok so to get started, let's discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing or going down the traditional publishing route.
Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: What’s the Difference in Costs?
The first major decision you’ll need to make is whether to pursue a traditional publishing deal or self-publish your book. Each option has its financial implications.
Traditional Publishing: Lower Upfront Costs, Less Control
If you secure a deal with a traditional publisher, they will cover most of the expenses, including editing, illustration, printing, and marketing and the warehousing of the books. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t have any costs at all.
One of the biggest expenses for traditionally published authors is securing a literary agent. Most mainstream publishers won’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, so having an agent can increase your chances of landing a deal. In the UK, literary agents typically take a commission of around 10-15% of your book’s earnings.
Even with a publisher handling the bulk of the costs, you may still need to invest in personal marketing efforts. Attending book signings, arranging school visits, and travelling to literary festivals all come with associated costs. While some publishers provide support, many expect authors to contribute to their book promotion. Time spent on social media too, to promote your self and your book, authors and artists really need to think of themselves as a brand now, Jamie Oliver, one of the best-selling non-fiction authors in the UK. is an excellent example of an individual who has successfully built himself into a brand because he embodies a clear identity, values, and mission that extend way beyond his original profession as a chef. His personal brand is authentic, consistent, and diversified, which has allowed him to become a household name.
Self-Publishing: More Control, Higher Upfront Costs
Self-publishing allows you to retain full creative control, but it also means you are responsible for every aspect of the publishing process. This includes hiring professionals for editing and illustrations, purchasing an ISBN, formatting your book, printing, and marketing.
The costs of self-publishing can vary significantly depending on the quality of services you choose. Some authors manage to publish a book for as little as £500, while others spend upwards of £10,000 on professional editing, illustrations, and marketing.m
Take a look at my other guides with everything you need to know about getting your book ready for its big release!
Editing Costs: Making Your Story Shine
No matter how strong your writing skills are, a good editor is essential to ensure your children’s book is polished and engaging. Editing costs depend on the level of service you require.
Developmental editing, which focuses on refining the story structure, pacing, and overall readability, typically costs between £500 and £1,000.
Copyediting, which corrects grammar, sentence structure, and consistency, ranges from £200 to £500.
Proofreading, the final polish to catch any lingering typos or minor errors, usually costs between £100 and £300.
While AI-powered editing tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can be helpful for basic proofreading, hiring a professional editor ensures that your book meets the highest quality standards.
More about this crucial publishing process below.
What to Expect from a Children's Book Editor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Illustration Costs: Bringing Your Book to Life
For children’s books, illustrations are just as important as the words themselves. The cost of hiring an illustrator can vary widely depending on their experience and style.
New or amateur illustrators may charge anywhere between £500 and £1,500 for a full book, while mid-level illustrators typically charge between £2,000 and £3,500. If you’re looking for a highly experienced or well-known illustrator, you could be looking at costs upwards of £4,000 to £6,000.
Some illustrators charge per page or illustration, while others offer a package deal for an entire book. Websites like Reedsy, Upwork, and Fiverr can help you find illustrators within your budget.
Read more in my other helpful guide below.
ISBN Costs: Making Your Book Official
If you plan to sell your book in bookshops or online, you’ll need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). In the UK, ISBNs are assigned by Nielsen UK.
Purchasing a single ISBN costs £91, but if you plan to publish multiple books, you can buy ten ISBNs for £164, which offers better value.
Amazon provides a free ISBN for books published through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), but this ISBN can only be used on Amazon, which may limit your distribution options.
Book Formatting and Typesetting
Once your text and illustrations are complete, your book needs to be formatted correctly for both print and digital versions. Professional formatting can cost anywhere from £100 to £500, depending on the complexity of your book.
If you’re self-publishing, you can use software like Atticus, Vellum (for Mac users), or Adobe InDesign to format your book yourself.
However, hiring a professional can save time and ensure a polished result.
Printing Costs: Digital vs. Offset Printing
The cost of printing your book depends on the method you choose. Print-on-demand (POD) services like Amazon KDP and IngramSpark allow you to print books as they are ordered, reducing upfront costs.
On average, printing a paperback through POD costs between £2 and £5 per copy, while hardcovers range from £6 to £10 per copy.
If you plan to sell your book in bookshops or at events, you may consider offset printing, which involves printing in bulk. Printing 500 or more copies using offset printing can reduce the per-unit cost to around £1 to £3 per book, but it requires a larger initial investment.
Marketing and Promotion Costs
Marketing is essential to ensure your book reaches the right audience. Some authors choose to rely on organic marketing through social media, while others invest in paid promotions.
Social media advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon Ads typically costs anywhere from £50 to £500 per campaign, depending on your budget. Some authors hire publicists to manage their book launch and PR, which can cost between £500 and £2,000.
Another important marketing tool is an author website, which can cost anywhere from £100 to £1,000, depending on whether you use a DIY platform like Wix or hire a web designer.
School visits and library readings are also excellent ways to promote your book. Some authors offer free visits to gain exposure, while others charge between £100 and £600 per day or event.
More tips on marketing your self-published children's novel by heading over to my other blog
Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Children's Books: Unlocking Success in a Competitive Landscape
Distribution Costs: Getting Your Book in Stores
If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to decide where and how to distribute your book. Amazon KDP is free to use but takes a percentage of each sale, typically 30-60% depending on the pricing model you choose.
IngramSpark, charges a setup fee of £49 but offers broader distribution to bookshops and libraries.
To get your book into major retailers like Waterstones or WHSmith, you may need a distributor like Gardners or Nielsen BookNet, which charges additional fees.
Final Budget Breakdown: How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
The cost of publishing a children’s book really does vary widely and totally depends on the quality of services you choose.
If you’re on a tight budget and willing to do most of the work yourself, you can publish a book for as little as £500 to £1,500.
For a more professional approach, including professional editing and illustrations, costs typically range from £2,000 to £6,000.
If you want top-tier illustrations, a strong marketing campaign, and high-quality printing, you could spend anywhere from £6,000 to £10,000 or more.
Is Publishing a Children's Book Worth the Cost?
Publishing a children’s book is a significant financial investment, but with the right strategy, it can also be rewarding and profitable!
Whether you choose to self-publish or go the traditional route, careful budgeting and planning will help you make the most of your journey as an author.
If you’re looking for financial support, grants such as the Society of Authors’ Grants for Writers and Arts Council England funding are available for UK authors.
With a well-thought-out plan, your book can find its audience and make a lasting impact on young readers across the UK. Now is the perfect time to bring your children’s story to life!
(All prices are correct at the time of writing March 2025)
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