Costs and quotes
How do you read a publishing quote or contract?
Short answerRead a publishing quote line by line. For every item, find the price, the person who does the work, what is included, and what is not. If any line has no price or no description, ask for it in writing before you pay.
Step 1: Make a list of every item
Write each line on its own row: editing, proofreading, cover, formatting, ISBN, setup, marketing, printing. If the quote only shows a total, ask for the breakdown.
Step 2: For each item, find four things
- Price. A fixed number, not "from" or "depends".
- Who does it. A named person or team, not "our experts".
- What is included. For example, how many rounds of cover changes, or how many words are edited.
- What is not included. This is where extra charges hide.
Step 3: Check the words that cause trouble
| Phrase | What to ask |
|---|---|
| "Unlimited revisions" | How many rounds, and is there a time limit? |
| "ISBN included" | Whose name is the ISBN registered in? |
| "Distribution on 12 platforms" | Which platforms, and in whose account? |
| "Marketing package" | Exactly what is delivered, by when, and what will I see as proof? |
| "100% royalties" | Are there setup, maintenance or per-copy fees? |
Step 4: Compare prices fairly
Compare the same scope. A quote that includes editing is not comparable to one that does not. Our guide on book editing costs shows typical per-word ranges for each editing level.
Step 5: Read the refund and cancellation terms
Look for what you get back if you stop halfway, who owns finished work, and what happens to your files. If the terms are not attached, ask for them.
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