I've Spent $34,303.39 On My Book (So Far). Here's Everything I Learned
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Chelsea gives a complete financial rundown of how much it cost her to self-publish her debut novel. To order your copy of 'A PERFECT VINTAGE,' join Chelsea on tour, buy the cover art, and much more, go to: apv.pub/TFDYou...
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Hi guys! I just wanted to issue a slight correction for anyone watching. While creating my notes, I confused my wholesale pricing and my profit margins: my actual profit margins are between 25% and 70%, depending on the type of book and where it's purchased. Still much higher than the 7.5% trade paperback margins in any case, but worth correcting nonetheless!
Chelsea
I am a publisher of scholarly, technical, and medical content and am always envious of those with skills in fiction. Good for you!!!
That struggle is real! It wasn't until I was in therapy that I realized how the last time I read fiction was over twenty years ago. Trying reading fiction in a foreign language so my brain doesn't feel like I'm wasting time.
For those who haven’t read the book yet: please, but read and share the book. It’s a phenomenal book and I absolutely adored it. Lea’s story is wonderful! Congratulations Chelsea on an outstanding work!
OMG THANK YOU :')
-C
Really appreciate the hard numbers. A close friend has a non-fiction book coming out this fall through a major publisher. He hired a personal editor with part of his advance - I nearly collapsed when he told me her fee for 3 months of work: $80K. Especially interesting because I edited a couple of chapters (ehem for free) and I was surprised how much work was left for me after she was done. I loved helping him and am trying to get a handle on what I could make if I did this professionally. I am happy to hear there are opportunities in the $10k realm for indie/self-publishing.
As editor who worked in traditional publishing, when it comes to self publishing the price range can vary VERY WIDELY. For anyone who wants to self publish, it can be done and done well on a smaller budget, but the more you want customized and not premade or less exclusive (for images, marketing, etc.) the more it will cost. So if Chelsea's price tag makes you feel hopeless, please don't feel hopeless, you can publish on a smaller budget you just will have to use a cover designer who does premade or stock image based covers, you may need to adjust your editor stack up, and you may have to market less.
Very true! This is just my personal experience :)
-C
@@thefinancialdiet I'm so happy you were able to have such an amazing launch and put your publishing knowledge from previous trad books to use
yaaaaaay congratulations! i am an autumn person who really struggles with the heat and sensory overload this time of year, so i legit preordered this book with the hope that a nice romantic summery read could help me get in the spirit of this season and channel summer vibes 😅 i can't wait for this read and i'll definitely make a vid all about the book on my lil youtube channel too!
I'm an indie author as well and did my audiobook through Findaway. So easy, great choice of narrators, distributed widely, AND Amazon doesn't hang on to the distribution rights for what is it? 7 years? Highly recommend.
I used to live with a Sikh and a Mormon in Seattle while I was going to grad school. That was an interesting experience. I knew nothing about Sikhism at the time but ended up with a deep respect for these people. I'm not one for organized religion but the Sikhs seem to be doing it right!
As an aspiring fiction writer who currently writes in marketing, I really appreciate this break down. This is so overwhelming but great to know.
Congratulations! I wish for lots of sales for you 🙂
Thank you Jenny!
Honestly such an awesome thing for you, and love the wise and heartfelt advice at the end. I typically patronize my library more, but they weren't able to get a copy of the book yet so I decided I'd get my own from a local bookstore. So excited to pick it up this week! Love supporting TFD and you in your endeavors and hoping this brings more opportunities in the future! 😊
Thank you so much, especially for supporting libraries and small bookstores!!
-C
My copy is being shipped from Bookshop, but after the audio sample I might want to dip into that too 👀 Thanks for sharing this breakdown, I’ve really been enjoying the publishing insight - and would be interested in one about the audiobook if you’re open to sharing that later on.
Definitely!
-C
Congratulations, Chelsea! Just started reading my advanced copy yesterday and I’m already so into it. Can’t wait to see what happens next! 😊
Thank you so much!! :)
-C
Just picked up my copy from my local bookstore, so hype! Congrats on getting it made!
Sidenote: it's way bigger than I imagined. Gonna take me a bit longer to read, but I'm not complaining about more book xD
WOOHOOO! I totally dropped the ball on getting a pre-release version to review but my physical copy should arrive tomorrow! 🎉
Hey Chelsea -- SO ready to read your novel. All the congrats! Truly an inspiration. My comment is about events... I LOVE how you host so many events for TFD and now your novel (!!!). I want to start hosting events for my business but am scared of the planning and financing behind it. I don't know where to start or what the common barriers are. Could you do a video of your best advice for how to host in-person events? Thanks so much! Xx
Good idea, I can def do that!
-C
I am just so incredibly proud of you:)
I was SO pumped when it dropped on my kindle at 11pm (CDT)
I’m LOVING IT SO FAR!
Def picking up a physical copy too because it’s just so beautiful💙
Ahhh thank you SO much!!!
-C
girl I am grinning way too hard from that intro ❤congrats!!!!
Same lol
-C
I preordered in March and should hopefully be picking up my copy at my local bookstore this week! Congrats 💙
As someone who both has recently rediscovered my love of reading and is a lover of this channel, I will most definitely will be purchasing your book and adding it to my TBR! Congratulations and good luck on this new venture.
Oh my gosh, your audiobook reader is SungWon Cho! EXCELLENT choice!
It says the narrator is someone else though? That's not SungWon Cho's name at 18:35
@@therightkindofpen Aw, geez. You're right - I went by ear (I was cooking as the video played), and muffed it up. Thanks for opening my eyes!
It's Mitchell Warren!
Thank you for your transparency and for the pep talk! I hope the book becomes the book of the summer and you can count it among your many successes.
About to pick up my copy thru my regional romance bookstore, the proprietor just opened shop in Maine and was kind enough to order it for me! Thanks Cassidy @ Grump & Sunshine
Love that bookstore name!!
-C
So proud of you!! I've bee an avid follower of you and TFD for 5+ years and you've helped me inn so may ways financially and confidence wise! I've been in my reading era for the past 3 years so i'm excited to read your book while i'm in greece in a few weeks :) congrats queen!!
What a perfect place to read it!!
-C
Just brought a kindle copy (I’m from Hungary, so shipping would be just as much as the book itself), and really like it ❤ it’s light, easy to read, but still entertaining and sophisticated 🎉
Exactly what I was going for!!
-C
Audio Book!!! My absolute fave!!! Thank you so much ❤
I'm so happy for you girl.. I definitely will get hold a copy of that even I'm from Singapore. You're such a inspiration
So excited to finally watch the budget breakdown !
So happy for you, I’m waiting on Amazon to deliver 🎉🎉🎉
I pre-ordered a copy last week and can't wait to get it in the mail! Congrats!
Congratulations!! I am ordering now, and I am very excited to make this the book of my summer. First time commenter here. I absolutely love your channel and podcast. Thank you for always create such relevant and important content. As an aspiring novelist, this is super important information to know. ❤❤
Thank you!!
-C
Congrats!!! Would love to hear more about the specifics of the profit sharing!
The last few minutes of this video are like the best pep talk! :) Congratulations!
Hi! I bought a Kindle edition of your new book! So excited to read it this long weekend in our country. I've been a fan of TFD since 2018, I think. Thank you for your videos' amazing and helpful contents! I live in the Philippines, some aren't applicable to us BUT most were really really helpful.😊
I also have an Audible version of TFD book. I enjoyed it! Looking forward to enjoying (again) this new book you've written.😊💕 Keep it up!!!
Thank you soooo much!!
-C
Bought a ticket for the Los Angeles event and am SO excited! Can't wait!
Yay!! See you there
Congrats!! Putting a book out into the world is such a great feeling.
I do wish that you had clarified that indie publishing doesn’t *have* to cost that much money. Authors *should* invest and put out a high-quality product but that can be done under $5k.
They can, I just wanted to be transparent about my experience personally!
-C
congratulations!!! i started reading your articles on thought catalog and they always hit me hardest. looking forward.
Just finished the book and it was AMAZING! Thank you for sharing it with the world!
THANK YOU!!
If you have the time to leave a review on GR/Amazon/wherever you like to review, that's such a huge help to me!
-C
Ah the mention of Ingram made me flashback to my years as a bookseller/events person :O
ordered it today from my local bookstore, REAL excited! congrats and thanks for your transparency! 🎉
Hey Chelsea!! 🩷 just jointed your UA-cam membership because I just really feel like y’all are doing the most incredible content lately 👏🏻 I have been loving your book journey and also the podcast guests you are having on the show along with the concepts you have been exploring lately. thank you for all your work and love from Arizona! 🩷
Thank you SO much for joining!!!
I just bought it.. looking forward to it!
What an exciting time!! Wonderful work, and it's so cool that you're doing a revenue share with all your collaborators! Just to note, as an international viewer, Book Depository has now shut down, so the book can no longer be ordered from there unfortunately, maybe you could remove the link on your site?
Good call!
-C
Very excited to read your book!
Honestly i would love if you and John Green had a chat about the publishing industry and the financial side of things.
I'll try to make it happen!
-C
Omg!!!!! 😍
Leena Norms has some really good videos about the publishing industry from a UK perspective too!
Congrats, Chelsea!🎉 Can’t wait to read it.📚
Good luck, Chelsea! I'm looking forward to listening the audio book! I live too far away from the US, UK, Canada or Australia. That's why I think your audio book will be my best option to witness your another great achievement x
You can also do ebook, but either way is amazing!!
-C
Good luck with the book! Thank you for the break down. And love the Sims reference at the end. Live long and prosper 🖖
So excited for you Chelsea! Thanks for all you do. I ordered the book today, absolutely can't wait to get it and read it!!!
Love all the advice in the end about fear and vulnerability. I'll take it to heart!
I just finished your book! It was a fun read, nice work!
I just purchased a copy. I don't read romance novels, so I won't be able to tell you if I like it, but I wanted to support you :)
You do great and important work.
How kind!!
-C
Congrats Chelsea! I am anxiously waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail. I got the shipping notification yesterday! Now I just have to decide if I read it when it arrives or if I should save it for our summer vacation in July.
A true dilemma!! (I think saving it for the vibes might be the way to go tho)
-C
Congratulations on getting your book out, shame nothing in Phoenix but still awesome to do East a little West and of course Paris!
Congrats on writing and publishing your book. What an achievement. That said, I've been an indie writer for over 10 years and I felt your production costs were very much on the high side. My advice is that you connect with some successful indie fiction writers and see if they can provide you with some ways to trim costs. That way, you'll be making more profit.
Fascinating to learn the behind-the-scenes of launching a book!
Congratulations!! 💫💫 I cannot WAIT for my copy to arrive. 💅
Loved the clip from the audio book!!! And where can I get the book in Mexico???
Amazon!
-C
Congrats on your accomplishment!
That's amazing!! 🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations!!
This reminds me of the video that Lindsay Ellis did about her own publishing "journey".
Thank you for sharing.
I always appreciate your transparency & generously sharing your real experiences. Thank you. 🙏
I cant wait for my copy to arrive at my local bookseller 💙 I've loved following you on this journey, Chelsea! Congrats
Thank you! And yay monamoji!!
-C
omg what happened to the audiobook?? i just finished it and now hearing this guy voice? i really liked the production and sound effects you used. very original!
Just got the notification today that my copy shipped. So excited!!
I've got my copy! So excited to read it!
Congratulations. I CANNOT wait to get my hands on it.
Felicidades!!! So happy for you ❤can’t wait to get my copy. Please bring book tour to Miami. Bring Mona !
I love listening to you talk. well done on your book 😀
Congratulations, Chelsea! Just bought a Kindle copy (a bit expensive to bring the physical copy to Venezuela) and can't wait to finish today's work to get to it!
Enjoy!!
-C
Congratulations!! Can't wait to read it!!
My copy is in the mail today :)
Truly this was a showcase of Mona accompanied by news of the book
I preordered it on Kindle. Can't wait to read it, but I forgot, and started a book yesterday, so I'll wanna fiinsh that first. Oops!!
Am seeing the reviews and am happy to see they are so positive. I will definitely put it on my wishlist to read later in the year when am in a better headspace but it sounds right up my alley. Congratulations 🎉
Just ordered the book!! Congrats on this big day!
You are going to have to bridge your financial career and you're together as much as possible you aren't going to get a break for the next five years and you doing every book related platform you and your team are going to working full-time for the next six years non stop
Congrats again!!!
You’re doing the thing Chelsea! So happy for you!
Congratulations on your book release! 🎉
Sensual food in the excerpt. I approve. 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Hell yeah lol
-C
Ordered this book from my local bookstore to read on my honeymoon next month 🎉
What a dreamy way to read it!!
-C
I have ordered a book! So excited to read it, Chelsea! Will you be coming to Canada? 💕
Ahhhh I can’t wait for it to arrive and read it!! ❤
Ordering it today! Can't wait for a great summer read!
Why are you the only influencer when I follow tons that I’m like “I’m gonna help her reach this damn goal. Time to read this book”. Maybe because most try to cut corners to make the most and you never ever do. The level of integrity you have is so inspiring. I love most books I Read but I also DGAF. I’m still supporting this literary integrity.
What a lovely thing to read!! Thank you!!
-C
@@thefinancialdiet not to co-opt your comment section, but I know that some of us would love to hear about the process that you took for writing it, and organizing the structure, as I know that writing is not just a "sit down and crank it out" and surprisingly, I think ALOT of people have a goal to write a book, so I think they'd find it relevant :)
This is wayyyyyy less than I ever thought something like this would cost (obviously still a lot, but not like... unreasonable!). Can't wait to read it, preorders in the UK are taking weeks to arrive though 🙂
Congratulation Chelsea! I can't wait to read it!!!
I pre-ordered as soon as I saw your tweet about it!
1:07 It has been one of the biggest financial investments I've ever made in my life outside of buying my home.
I haven't even started the book yet and already the plot twists are shocking and aweing me.
LOL
Way to go Chelsea! Ordering mine today
Weird hearing the audiobook not read by you (getting to this video late obviously 😂); I’m sorry for the stress that must have been involved with the change and no disrespect meant but I think the final audiobook product is better with your voice-not trying to disrespect you original choice but I wouldn’t have finished the audiobook with the guy’s voice, it just seemed meh whereas hearing Lea’s thoughts in your voice made it seems more like we were inside the story 💛
Very excited for your book! I pre-ordered a copy but it won’t be here until Monday 😢
Thank you Chelsea and congratulations. I love this. I am a author and would love for you to do a course about the business management side of writing.
Congratulations!! 🎉🎉 Will try to find a place in my city that is selling it :) Hopefully, I can find a hardback version.
Can't wait for my fun budget this month to get your book
I’ll buy my copy next time I’m at Barnes & Nobles ❤ congrats 🎉 we all can make it to be a best seller!
Just got the kindle version. I can't wait to read it this summer.
This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Started it last night, congrats!!
Congratulations! Ordering now! :)
Hopefully no one who doesn't have a huge existing following, many of whom will buy the book, and some of whom might buy a ticket to a reading, sees this and sinks all their money into a self-pubbed romance novel. For most people, these would be ruinous financial decisions.
I think that's the point to her breaking down her expenses and the complexity of the whole process with such transparency.
I think most people interested in self publishing know you can self publish for cheap though. like you can literally make a cover yourself and sell ebooks for practically nothing. No one serious about anything is going to watch one single video before deciding to throw all their finances at it anyway
Congrats on the book!