HOW TO SET THE PERFECT PRICE FOR YOUR SELF PUBLISHED BOOK

Publishing isn’t free. Depending on what kind of book you’re making, the cost can be minimal or very high. A novel might only need editing, typesetting, and a cover. An illustrated book? You’re suddenly paying for art, and that cost skyrockets fast.

Also don’t forget printing. Offset or print on demand? POD sound s easy, but here’s the catch: your price determines your royalty. Too cheap, and you’ll make cents per copy. Tools like Amazon’s Royalty Calculator or IngramSpark’s Print Calculator will show you the ugly math. Play with them before you lock in a price, or you’ll regret it later.

1. Look at the Competition Before You Decide

Your book is not judged in isolation. Readers always compare. If you want to price smart, you need to know what’s already out there.

Go to a bookstore. Pick up books that look like yours. Check the price. Check the details. Do they have extras you don't have. Thicker paper, glossy finishes, special covers? Those things push the price higher.

The rules are simple: hardcover always costs more than paperback. Add a jacket, and the price climbs again. Take away the jacket (that’s called paper-over-board), and it drops. Each choice changes how readers perceive value  and how much they’re willing to pay.

Ignore this step and you’ll sabotage yourself. Price too high for what you’re offering, and readers will put it back on the shelf. Price too low, and you’ll look cheap or worse, amateur.

2. Market Reality: Every Book Type Has Its Range

a. Board books: Expensive to make, cheap to sell. Usually $5.99 - $7.99. Long ones might stretch to $9.99. POD won’t save you here offset printing only.

b. Picture books: Paperbacks run $7.99 - $9.99. Push to $11.99 if you need more margin. Hardcovers split into two camps: unjacketed ~$10.99, jacketed ~$17.99. But beware: traditional publishers back that $17.99 with premium paper and design. If your POD version looks cheaper, don’t price it the same.

c. Chapter books: Paperbacks $5.99 - $7.99. Hardcovers $9.99 - $14.99.

d. Middle grade: Paperbacks $10.99 - $12.99 (longer ones up to $14.99). Hardcovers $16.99 - 18.99.

e. YA: Paperbacks ~$12.99, hardcovers ~$18.99.

f. Adult novels: Hardcovers around $27.99, trade paperbacks ~$16.99, mass-market paperbacks ~$9.99.

Sticking within these ranges will help your book fit in where readers expect it to be.

3. The Truth About eBook Pricing

eBooks are all over the place, some are free, others cost as much as a hardcover. The

trick is knowing what you actually want. If your goal is money, price it inside Amazon’s sweet spot: $2.99 to $9.99. That’s the only range where you’ll get the 70% royalty. Go under $2.99 or over $9.99 and your cut drops to 30%. Big mistake if profit is the goal.

If your goal is reach more readers or more reviews you can start with go low. Even free. Cheap or free eBooks let people “test drive” your work. Good reviews from those readers can push your physical sales higher.

And here’s a smart move: don’t keep your price static. Drop it now and then. Run free days. Use those promos to stack reviews and visibility. That’s how you turn digital pages into long-term momentum.

4. Why Prices Ends in .99, .97, .75?

It’s not random. It’s psychological and it works.

This is the most common tactic, called charm pricing.Example: $12.99 feels cheaper than $13.00.Why? Because people read prices left to right, and the brain anchors on the first number.

$12.99 = starts with “12” → feels closer to 12 than 13.Even though it’s just one cent less, buyers perceive it as a better deal.

Studies show ending in .99 can increase sales compared to rounding up to the next dollar.

.99 = charm pricing (feels cheaper, drives impulse buys)

.97 = discount/clearance signal (especially in retail giants)

.75 = structured, traditional pricing tier (common in older publishing and wholesale)

That’s why almost every serious publisher ends prices in .99, .97, .75 Push it to the next dollar, and suddenly your book feels more expensive even if it’s just a penny more.

5. Your First Price Isn’t Final

Publishing isn’t “set it and forget it.” You can test. You can adjust. Maybe you start high, then drop the price during promotions. Maybe you start low to build an audience, then raise it once reviews roll in.The point is: your first guess won’t be perfect. Don’t cling to it. Use data, feedback, and actual sales to guide your next move.

Tips for Setting the Right Price for Your Book

Pricing isn’t random. It’s strategy. The number you put on your book tells readers what to expect before they even crack the cover. Too low, and your work looks cheap. Too high, and it gets left behind. Here’s how to play it smart across different formats and platforms:

1. Paperback on KDP (Amazon)

KDP is the easiest way to get your paperback into readers’ hands, but don’t forget: royalties depend on your price.

• Stick to the sweet spot between $2.99–$9.99 if you want the 70% royalty.

• Go outside that range, and you drop to 30%.

  
  

Tip: Check out books similar to yours on Amazon. Readers already have a mental “normal price.” Stay close to that number, but don’t undersell yourself.

Example : 

KDP Paperback (Color)

• Printing formula = $0.85 base + $0.07 per page (standard color).

• Sample: 32-page picture book.

  • Printing = $0.85 + (32 × $0.07) = $3.09 per book.

• Price = $9.99.

  • Royalty = 60% of list = $5.99.

  • Profit = $5.99 – $3.09 = $2.90 per sale.

    
    

Tip: Keep kids paperbacks under 40 pages if you want a healthy margin. Parents are used to $7.99–$12.99 pricing.

2. eBook

Your eBook can do two jobs: make money or drive visibility. Free or cheap eBooks are a great way to get reviews and build trust. But price too low forever, and readers start questioning the quality.

• Use temporary discounts or free days to spike reviews and sales.

• Then bring your price back to the normal range (often $2.99–$4.99 for self pub).

  
  

Tip: Treat your eBook like a gateway. Hook readers there, and let your print versions bring in the bigger profits.

Example :

eBook (Children’s Picture Book)

• Zero print cost.

• Sample: List at $4.99.

  • Royalty = 70% of $4.99 = $3.49 profit.

    
    

Tip: eBooks are a review magnet. Many parents download free/cheap versions first. Use KDP Select free days or $0.99 promos to drive reviews, then push the paperback later.

3. Hardcover via IngramSpark

Hardcovers cost more to print and that means you must charge more. But here’s the key: readers will compare yours to what’s on the bookstore shelf.

• Typical range: $16.99–$18.99 for novels, higher for illustrated or specialty books.

• Invest in good paper and finishes, or your book won’t feel “worth it” at that price.

  
  

Tip: Don’t be afraid to charge more for hardcover, but make sure the quality earns it. Readers notice flimsy.

Example :

 IngramSpark Hardcover (Color)

• Printing is premium and pricey.

• Sample: 40-page 8.5x8.5 children’s hardcover.

  • Printing = $7.60 per book.

• Price = $19.99.

  • Wholesale cut (55%) = $9.00.

  • Profit = $9.00 – $7.60 = $1.40 per sale.

    
    

Tip: IngramSpark hardcovers shine in bookstores and libraries, not on Amazon. They add credibility but don’t expect big profit.

4. Lulu

Lulu gives you flexibility with formats and print quality, but production costs can be higher. That pushes your list price up.

• Expect paperback to land around $12.99–$17.99, depending on page count and trim size.

• Hardcovers can easily climb to $18.99–$27.99.

  
  

Tip: Lulu works well if you’re targeting niche audiences who will pay more for specialty books. But don’t forget the higher the price, the harder the sell.

Example : 

Lulu Paperback (Color)

• Lulu has strong POD options for picture books.

• Sample: 32 page 8.5x8.5 paperback.

  • Printing = $4.75 per book.

• Price = $12.99.

  • After cut = around $2.00 profit.

    
    

Tip: Lulu lets you print short runs for events or school visits. Great for bulk orders where you keep the margin.

5. BookBaby

BookBaby aims for a polished, professional product but “premium” comes with a price. Their books often look bookstore ready, but that quality means higher production costs.

• Paperbacks typically fall between $14.99–$19.99.

• Hardcovers can stretch into the $21.99–$29.99 range.

  
  

Tip: BookBaby is great if you want a professional finish and are confident your audience values quality over bargain prices.

Example : 

BookBaby Hardcover (Color)

• High-end but higher cost.

• Sample: 32-page full-color hardcover.

  • Printing = $8.00 per book.

• Price = $21.99.

  • After wholesale cut = $2–$3 profit.
    

Tip: BookBaby is best if you want premium gift style children’s books. Perfect for author illustrators who can charge higher.

CONCLUSION

Each platform has its own cost structure, and that cost shapes your final price. KDP works for reach, eBooks drive reviews, IngramSpark offers prestige, and Lulu or BookBaby lean into quality. The trick? Price so your book feels worth it not just to you, but to the reader.