When you purchase one of my indie-published books, the financial breakdown looks substantially different to those of a traditionally published author:
- E-books: Authors receive 40-70% of the cover price (depending on pricing and platform)
- Print books: Authors receive 40-60% of the cover price after printing costs
- Audiobooks: Authors receive 25-40% through direct platforms
On a £1.99 e-book, I receive £1.36 directly. For a £9.99 paperback, after subtracting printing costs, I get 75p per copy!!!
The Investment Behind Indie Books
What many readers don't realise is that indie publishing requires significant upfront investment.
- Website maintenance
- Formatting Software
- ISBN numbers
- Marketing & promotion
- Newsletter service
- Festival Fees
- Book Stock Costs
This means I need to sell hundreds of copies just to break even before earning any profit.
How Reader Choices Impact Authors
Every time you purchase a book, you're casting a vote for the kind of publishing ecosystem you want to support. Here's how different buying choices affect indie authors:
Most Supportive to Author:
- Purchasing directly from author websites (when available)
- Purchasing from authors at events
- Purchasing e-books from major platforms
- Purchasing print books from online retailers
- Kindle Unlimited reads (paid by pages read)
- Library borrows (authors receive compensation from some digital library systems)
Supporting in Non-Financial Ways:
- Requesting books at your local library
- Leaving reviews on retailer sites and Waterstones
- Recommending to friends and book clubs
- Engaging with authors on social media
- Subscribing to author newsletters
The Bigger Picture: Creating a Thriving Literary Ecosystem
When you support indie authors, you're not just helping individual creators—you're participating in a fundamental shift in how stories reach readers. This evolving model:
- Diversifies the literary landscape with voices that might not fit traditional publishing criteria
- Creates more direct connections between story creators and story consumers
- Rewards innovation and risk-taking in storytelling
- Provides more equitable compensation for creative work
Making Informed Choices
As we celebrate Indie Author Month, I'm not suggesting that readers should avoid traditionally published books—many wonderful stories come through that channel, and many authors prefer that path. Rather, I hope this transparency about the economics helps you make more informed choices about where your book pennies go.
If you value:
- More of your money reaching creators directly
- Supporting entrepreneurial artists
- Encouraging diverse and innovative storytelling
- Helping build a more equitable publishing model
...then including indie-published books in your reading diet is a powerful way to align your book budget with these values.
An Invitation to Readers
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the economics of publishing. Were you surprised by any of the information shared here? Does understanding the financial breakdown influence your purchasing decisions? Share your perspective in the comments below.
And if you haven't yet tried an indie-published book in your favourite genre, I hope this Indie Author Month inspires you to discover new voices operating outside the traditional publishing framework. Your support makes independent publishing possible—and for that, indie authors everywhere are deeply grateful.
Have questions about other aspects of indie publishing economics? Let me know, and I might address them in future posts!