Your book.
Your next chapter.
A few good tools. Some people worth knowing. And an honest look at what getting your first book out into the world might cost.
Build your publishing toolkit.
Start with what you need. These are independent tools and outside professionals to explore at your own pace.
Make the inside
look the part.
Turn your manuscript into an ebook and a print-ready interior. Vellum is for Mac; Atticus also works on Windows.
Give it a good
first impression.
Three places to explore for an affordable cover. Compare genre fit, revisions, and ebook versus print deliverables.
Borrow a fresh
pair of eyes.
Find freelance editorial help on Fiverr. Ask for a sample and agree on the level of editing your manuscript needs.
Make it official.
Then make it available.
Publish ebooks and paperbacks through KDP. Want your own imprint on a U.S. ISBN? Start with Bowker.
Help readers
find your book.
Explore keywords, categories, and competing books with Publisher Rocket. Useful research to inform your listing and marketing.
A little flair
for your feed.
PhotoFunia’s ready-made scenes and photo effects are a quick way to experiment with eye-catching social images.
Good company
for the learning curve.
Our first stops for indie publishing education and guidance.
Dig into self-publishing, book marketing, cover resources, and training to sharpen your next move.
Judith Briles offers publishing guidance, coaching, and learning opportunities for independent authors.
These links take you to outside providers. Check their current offerings and terms directly; BravoBay does not sell these services.
Great book.
Real-world budget.
For a first novel, it helps to put some numbers on the page before you start hiring.
This example assumes an approximately 80,000-word manuscript that’s already revised and ready for a final proofread, plus an ebook and paperback release.
This working estimate totals $3,000, including a book trailer, copies for signings, a headshot, and sales and marketing materials.
| Cover designEbook cover + print wrap | $550 |
| Final proofreading~80,000 words; not developmental or line editing | $1,100 |
| Interior formattingSoftware or hired help allowance | $250 |
| ISBNUsing KDP’s free print ISBN | $0 |
| KDP setupDo it yourself | $0 |
| Proofs + author copiesReview copies and stock for signings | $200 |
| U.S. copyright registrationPlanning allowance; confirm the applicable filing fee | $65 |
| Author headshotPhotography allowance | $100 |
| Book trailerFiverr freelancer allowance | $300 |
| Sales & marketing materialsFloor stands, business cards, website domain, and similar essentials | $435 |
| Example total | $3,000 |
Planning allowances, not vendor quotes. Your word count, editing needs, format, and choices can move the total considerably. Get project-specific quotes before committing.
What might add to the budget?
Developmental or line editing, purchased ISBNs, illustration, larger promotional campaigns, a more elaborate trailer, and audiobook production. Those are outside this example and deserve their own estimates.
One last thing about unsolicited manuscripts…
Our manuscript inbox is closed for now. Please don’t slip yours under the door. We’ll announce future submission windows through HQ News. Until then, keep making something worth reading.
