Bringing a book to life is an intricate journey involving numerous professionals, each of whom play a vital role in transforming your initial idea into the finished product, one that proudly stands on bookshelves and in online stores.
But who else gets paid along the way, and for what exactly?
Here’s my step by step breakdown for you.
1. The Author – The Starting Point
Everything begins with the author.
That’s me, you and anyone else with a love of words and a desire to be read.
We generate the initial idea and commit it to paper-or, as is much more likely the case these days, the screen. The type of payment and amount we get varies widely-if, for example, I am working as a ghostwriter on a project for a client, I’ll be paid a fee for doing the work with, ultimately, all of the royalties from the books sales going to the client.
If, however, the book is traditionally published, then I may receive either an advance (ie) a lump sum paid by the publisher against future royalties or royalties only, these are paid on a per book sold basis and as a percentage of the wholesale, not the retail price whilst, for entirely self-published authors, there’s no advance, and the earnings come directly from book sales.
2. The Literary Agent – The Deal Maker
For authors seeking traditional publication, a literary agent is often essential. Agents pitch manuscripts to publishers and negotiate contracts, earning a commission—usually around 15%—on the author's advance and royalties.
3. The Publisher – The Risk Taker
If you or I secure a traditional publishing deal, the publisher foots the bill for editing, production, distribution, and marketing. But they’re not in it for anything other than their bottom line and will look to earn their money back through book sales-which means they take a very significant cut (sometimes 85-90% of sales revenue) before the author sees any royalties.
Self-publishing flips this model: the author covers the upfront costs of production but retains a much higher percentage of sales revenue.
The latter is a calculated (aren’t they all?) risk. You may invest, for example, £900 in having your book professionally bound and printed, say 200 copies in all and then look to sell them yourself through a launch or similar events as well as on your website, social media and through word of mouth at £19.99 each-which means, if you sell the lot (and no reason to think you won’t, that’s £3998.00, a profit of (less any expenses) a little over three thousand pounds.
I always say to my clients the real work starts once the book is published. Don’t assume once those boxes of new books arrive on your doorstep that you can now sit back and await all the fame, fortune and cache that comes with them.
Couzens-Lake Publishing, the publishing ‘arm’ of Couzens-Lake Media can tell you more about the whole process, drop me a line if you’re interested.
4. Editors – The Polishers
Before a book is ready for publication, it undergoes several rounds of editing:
Developmental editors shape the manuscript’s structure and flow.
Copy editors refine language, grammar, and consistency.
Each editor is paid per project, per word, or per hour, with costs ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the book’s complexity and length.
5. Proofreaders – The Final Checkers
Once editing is complete, proofreaders perform a final quality check before printing or digital release. They catch typos, formatting errors, and inconsistencies, ensuring the book is polished and professional. Proofreaders are typically paid per word, per page, or per project, with rates varying depending on expertise and turnaround time.
6. Designers – The Visual Experts
A book’s success often hinges on its cover and interior layout. Cover designers charge anywhere from £200 to over £1,000, while typesetters format the book’s interior for both print and digital versions.
7. Printers – The Manufacturers
For physical books, printing can be a significant cost. Print-on-demand services will deduct printing costs from each sale, while offset printing (bulk printing) requires a large upfront investment but lowers per-unit costs.
I’m currently in talks with a number of printers across the UK to get the very best possible deal for new and niche authors who want to self publish through Couzens-Lake Publishing.
8. Distributors & Retailers – The Middlemen
Bookstores, online retailers, and distributors will take a substantial portion of the book’s retail price—often 30-55%—in exchange for making it widely available.
9. Marketing & Publicity – Getting Noticed
Marketing professionals, publicists, and book promoters help generate buzz. Traditional publishers provide limited marketing, but self-published authors often pay for services like:
· Social media ads
· Book trailers
· Blog tours
· Press releases
Publicists may charge a one-time fee or a monthly retainer with the latter often being several thousand pounds.
10. Audio books – The Listening Boom
If a book is adapted into an audio book, narrators, sound engineers, and production teams all require payment. Narrators typically earn per finished hour, ranging from £100 to £500.
11. Film & TV Rights – The Bonus Round
If a book catches Hollywood’s eye, the author (and sometimes the agent and publisher) can negotiate lucrative film rights. Authors often receive an upfront payment plus a percentage of profits if the project goes ahead.
Final Thoughts
Publishing is a complex business, with money changing hands at every stage. Whether traditionally published or self-published, understanding who gets paid for what helps authors make informed decisions about their book’s journey—and their own earning potential.
At Couzens-Lake Publishing, we guide new, established, and niche writers through every step of this process. As a 'one-stop shop,' we provide a seamless, personal, and cost-effective service, ensuring that you and I work together from concept to completion.
This means you receive expert guidance without the need to navigate multiple providers, resulting in a smoother, more rewarding publishing experience tailored to your unique vision.
If you’d like more information, drop me a line at edward@couzenslakemedia.com.
