You’ve written your book. You’ve got a cracking cover, maybe even started to prepare your manuscript for audiobook, and you’re about to hit publish. But then comes that question that every indie author dreads: How much should I charge for it?
Let’s not pretend it’s easy. Pricing self-published book titles isn’t just about picking a number that “feels right.” You’ve got to consider the genre, book length, market trends, platform royalties, and yes, even reader psychology.
Whether you’re launching your debut with a small following or you’ve already sent out your book media kit to influencers and reviewers, setting the right price from the start could be the difference between steady sales and radio silence.
So, let’s unpack the real strategies that’ll help you price with confidence, without selling yourself short.
Why Your Genre Changes the Game
First things first, genre matters. A lot.
If you’re writing romance, readers are used to quick, affordable reads. That’s why 99p or £1.99 eBooks dominate the charts. Meanwhile, in business, self-help or niche nonfiction? £5.99–£9.99 isn’t unusual at all. You’re not just selling a story there, you’re offering value, insight, transformation.
It’s not about undercutting everyone else. It’s about knowing what your audience expects. Check the bestsellers in your category. See what other self-pubbed authors are doing. Then decide if you want to compete with them or stand out on purpose.
Length Isn’t Everything (But It Does Count)
The longer the book, the higher the perceived value, within reason. Readers tend to equate word count with effort. A 90,000-word fantasy epic will justify a higher price than a 30,000-word novella.
But don’t get too caught up in page count. Some readers are happy to pay more for tightly written books that deliver. After all, nobody wants to pay £3.99 for a waffle.
That’s where things like copy editing vs proofreading make a difference. A well-polished short book often feels more valuable than a messy long one.
eBook, Paperback or Audiobook?
Each format opens up different pricing expectations. Here’s a quick look:
- eBooks are your lowest-priced format, usually between £0.99 and £4.99. Often used to hook new readers.
- Paperbacks depend on printing cost and length. Most authors aim for £7.99–£12.99 in the UK.
- Audiobooks are premium. If you’ve invested in narration through audiobook services, don’t be afraid to price around £9.99 or more. Listeners are used to paying extra for audio.
And if you’re working with pro designers who understand book typography tips, you’ll find that readers do notice the difference, and will pay for it.
Understanding Royalty Rates: Not All Platforms Are Equal
Where you sell affects how much you earn per book. Here’s the quick breakdown:
| Platform | Royalty Rate (eBook) | Notes |
| Swift KDP (35% or 70%) | 70% for books priced £1.99–£9.99 | Outside this range, it drops to 35% |
| Apple Books | 70% | No price restriction |
| Kobo | 70% | Ideal for international reach |
| Google Play | Around 52% | Pricing auto-adjusts often |
With KDP Select vs wide distribution, you’ll need to decide whether to go exclusive with Swift (for perks like Kindle Unlimited) or sell across multiple platforms. Going wide offers more reach, but it also means juggling different pricing systems.
Promo Pricing: Tempting but Tricky
Should you do a 99p launch? Maybe. Especially if you’re still using reader reviews marketing to build early momentum or hoping to climb category charts.
But don’t get stuck in the cheap zone forever. Train your audience to value your work. When you’re planning a virtual book launch, make the promo time-limited. Raise the price after the launch to reflect the book’s actual worth.
And use your email list wisely. If you’re already on top of your email marketing for authors, you’ve got the perfect channel to announce flash sales and limited-time offers.
The Audiobook Angle
Thinking about going audio? Great move. But you’ll need to be even more strategic with pricing here.
The cost of production (especially if you’re hiring narrators through audiobook services) can run high. But listeners are willing to pay more, especially on Audible. Many listeners use monthly credits, so they’re more likely to spend them on longer, higher-value books.
Make sure the audio version ties into your broader campaign, mention it in your book promotional video, include it in your book media kit, and promote it on Goodreads for authors to build visibility.
Testing, Tracking, and Tweaking
Here’s the bit no one talks about: pricing isn’t set in stone. You can and should experiment.
Test one price for a few weeks, then adjust. Pay attention to:
- Sales volume
- Page reads (if you’re in KU)
- Reviews and feedback
- Where your traffic comes from
Some authors even drop their prices temporarily during international book translation publishing releases or when prepping for major ghostwriting ethics blog tours or seasonal promotions.
Final Note
You’ve spent months, maybe years, writing your book. You’ve edited, designed, formatted, and probably written a query letter or two before deciding to go indie. Now’s not the time to guess your worth.
Pricing self-published book titles is both a science and an art. But once you know your genre, understand the platforms, and connect your pricing to a proper marketing strategy, you’re already ahead of most.
And remember: pricing isn’t just about making a sale. It’s about building a brand. A low price might move units, but a fair price shows confidence. That’s the kind of confidence readers and future fans will remember.
So price smart. Revisit often. And most importantly? Keep writing.
