You write because you have something to say. Your goal isn’t to become rich, but you are curious about profit per book. How much can you make once your book publishes?
Though profit depends on many factors, here is a quick rundown of what you can earn. (These numbers are estimates and only apply when using Ingram Spark, the company Argyle Fox Publishing relies on for printing and distribution.)
Factors Affecting Your Profit
Profit per book is based on the following:
• Binding of your book (paperback or hardback)
• Color of ink used inside your book
• Length of your book
• Physical size of your book
• Price you charge for your book
Of these, the physical size of your book (dimensions) has the least impact. The biggest impact? Binding and interior ink color.
Assuming all else is equal, a book with color ink on the interior is much more expensive to print. With Ingram, printing a single page in color forces you to pay full-color price for the entire book. So unless you’re publishing a picture or early reader book, it’s best to shy away from color printing.
And a hardcover version costs a lot more to print than its paperback peer. Hence why hardcovers are usually more expensive.
Breaking Down Profit for Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Now that you know what affects your book profits, let’s look at numbers. Maybe you turned your blog into a book. Or perhaps you wrote a devotional, sci-fi novel, or a how-to book. In each of these cases, the following is for you.
Below, you’ll see the numbers for 6 x 9″ books on white paper with all black ink on the interior. Wholesale discount is set at 30% (lowest possible, which provides you with the greatest profit). Hardcovers are case laminate. Profits are given for two price points.
Do note, these numbers are only for sales you make online. Sell books at a conference or other event, and you’ll make more profit per book.
To the numbers!
85 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $5.99 retail
Profit: $4.52, $1.72
85 pages, hardcover, $14.99 retail, $9.99 retail
Profit: $3.72, $0.22
150 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $5.99 retail
Profit: $3.61, $0.81
150 pages, hardcover, $14.99 retail, $9.99 retail
Profit: $2.81, -$0.69 (yes, you lose money with every $9.99 sale)
Picture and Early Reader Profit Margin
Interested in profit per book with picture or early readers? These numbers are split into two categories. First up: picture books.
Publishing a picture book is a great way to reach the youngest readers and quite a few pre-readers. These profits are calculated for an 8.5 x 11″ book with premium color printing on the inside.
24 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $7.99 retail
Profit: $3.50, $2.10
24 pages, hardcover, $16.99 retail, $14.99 retail
Profit: $3.24, $1.84
32 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $7.99 retail
Profit: $2.78, $1.38
32 pages, hardcover, $16.99 retail, $14.99 retail
Profit: $2.48, $1.08
Early reader book profits are calculated for a 7 x 10″ book with standard color 70 ink. Everything else is the same as the picture book calculations.
24 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $7.99 retail
Profit: $4.31, $2.91
24 pages, hardcover, $16.99 retail, $14.99 retail
Profit: $4.35, $2.95
32 pages, paperback, $9.99 retail, $7.99 retail
Profit: $3.86, $2.46
32 pages, hardcover, $16.99 retail, $14.99 retail
Profit: $3.92, $2.52
Find Your Profit
Want to know exactly how much profit you can make with your specific book? Use Ingram’s Publisher Compensation Calculator. It’s easy to use and gives you a quick idea of how much you can make with your book.
Move Toward Your Profits
As you can see, you won’t become rich off of two or three book sales. You’ve got to sell a lot. The good news is that you have your whole life to do it. But before you make your first sale, you’ve got to publish in a way that doesn’t put you in debt.
If you need help along the way, Argyle Fox Publishing is here for you. Within a few months, your dream of being a published author can be realized, and the profits can start rolling in. Stop putting your publishing dream on hold. Submit your manuscript for consideration today.