To get a useful book publishing quote, send the provider your manuscript details, your goals and your timeline: the word count, genre and stage of the book, the formats you want, whether you need editing, design or marketing, and any deadline. A trustworthy provider replies with an itemised quote that lists each service, what it includes, the price and the schedule, with the price fixed in writing before any work starts.
This guide explains what to include in your request, what a good quote contains, how to compare quotes and what to be careful about. It also shows how our own quotes work. When you are ready, you can request a free quote, and a publishing specialist will reply with an itemised plan.
Key takeaways
- The more precise your request, the more accurate the quote
- A good quote lists each service, what it includes, the price, the schedule and the payment stages
- Compare quotes on scope, not only on the total
- Send a sample or a description of the manuscript, but never send your only copy
- A provider who will not itemise is a risk
In this article
- What should I include in my request?
- What checklist should I use?
- Why does the stage of my manuscript matter?
- What should a good quote contain?
- How do I compare quotes fairly?
- What should I be careful about?
- What happens after I send the request?
- How do I protect my manuscript when I ask for a quote?
- What does a phased plan look like?
- What if I want to publish under my own accounts?
- Frequently asked questions
- Services that can help
What should I include in my request?
Give the provider the facts it needs to price the work. Include the working title, genre and word count, the stage the book is at and which services you want. Say how many formats you need, such as paperback, hardcover, eBook or audiobook, and whether you plan to publish under your own accounts. Share your target date and your main goal for the book. A short, specific message gets a better reply than a long, vague one.
What checklist should I use?
- Title, genre and word count
- Stage: idea, draft, edited manuscript or ready to publish
- Services wanted: writing, editing, design, formatting, publishing, marketing
- Formats: print, eBook, audiobook, large print
- Target date and any fixed deadlines
- Your goal: family copies, sales, credibility, a series
- Existing materials: notes, chapters, photographs, a cover idea
- Your budget range, if you are comfortable sharing it
Why does the stage of my manuscript matter?
A book at idea stage needs planning and writing, an unedited draft needs editing, and an edited manuscript needs design and publishing. Each stage involves different work and a different price. Tell the provider where you are, and be honest about the state of the draft. If you are unsure, say so, and ask for a recommendation. Our manuscript critique can help you decide.
What should a good quote contain?
| Item | What it should say |
|---|---|
| Services | Each service listed separately |
| Scope | What is included at each level, such as the type of edit |
| Price | The price for each service and the total |
| Schedule | Start and delivery dates for each stage |
| Payments | The stages and amounts |
| Rights | That you keep your rights, files and accounts |
| Exclusions | What is not included |
If a quote lacks any of these, ask for the detail before you decide.
How do I compare quotes fairly?
Put the quotes side by side and check the same points in each: the services, the depth of each service, the number of revision rounds, the formats, the schedule, the payment stages and who owns the files and accounts. A quote that is much lower than the others often leaves something out. Ask each provider to explain any difference. Compare value, not just the total, and note how clearly each provider communicates.
What should I be careful about?
- Quotes that give only a total with no breakdown
- Prices that are valid only if you sign today
- Requests for full payment before work starts
- Guarantees of sales, rankings or reviews
- Requirements to publish under the company’s accounts or ISBN
- No written agreement before you pay
What happens after I send the request?
A reliable provider acknowledges your request promptly, may ask a few questions and then sends a written quote. At The Author Publishing, a publishing specialist replies within 24 hours with an itemised quote and a suggested plan. You can ask questions, change the scope and decide in your own time. Nothing begins until you accept the quote and the agreement is signed.
How do I protect my manuscript when I ask for a quote?
Send only what the provider needs, such as the first chapter or a short sample, and keep your original. Ask whether the provider will sign a confidentiality agreement, and read how they handle your files. A professional company treats your manuscript as confidential and does not reuse it. Our legal pages explain how we handle your information, and our quotes cover confidentiality in the agreement.
What does a phased plan look like?
Many authors split a project into phases to spread the cost: first editing and a cover, then formatting and publishing, then a launch plan. Each phase has its own price and deliverables, so you can stop or continue after each one. Ask for the phases to be priced separately in the quote, with the total clear. A phased plan lets you start with what matters most and keep control of your budget.
What if I want to publish under my own accounts?
You should. Ask the provider to set up, or guide you through setting up, your own retailer accounts, and to use your own ISBNs if you want to be the publisher of record. State this in your request, so the quote reflects it. A provider that insists on publishing under its own accounts, with no way to move the book, restricts your options. We work inside your own accounts, and you keep your rights and royalties.
Related guides: Book Publishing Packages Explained: What Is Included and What to Ask and How Much Does It Cost to Self-Publish a Book?.
Frequently asked questions
Is a book publishing quote free?
At The Author Publishing, yes. Many providers offer free quotes, but check whether a fee is charged for a sample edit or a consultation.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Many providers reply within a day or two. We reply within 24 hours with an itemised quote.
Do I need a finished manuscript to get a quote?
No. You can request a quote at idea or draft stage, and the provider will price the work that matches your stage.
Can I negotiate a quote?
You can change the scope, add or remove services and ask questions. A fair provider explains the price and adjusts the scope with you.
Should I send my whole manuscript?
Usually a sample or description is enough. Send the full manuscript only when it is needed for an assessment, and under a confidentiality agreement.
What if I cannot afford the whole plan?
Ask for a phased plan. Many authors start with the most important services, such as editing and a cover, and add others later.
Services that can help
- Book publishing services
- Self-publishing services
- Pricing
- Ghostwriting services
- Book editing services
This guide is part of our book publishing guides and connects to our book publishing services.