If you have ever self-published anything, you will undoubtedly be aware of the costs involved. There are costs that are mandatory and some that aren’t, and it’s worth being aware of them if you are thinking of going down the independent publishing route.

For example, as self-published books become more professional, one of the costs that many authors would say is mandatory is that of cover design. Most writers aren’t brilliant cover designers, and so buying in the services of someone who is brilliant at it is often inevitable.

Editing is another cost that, for many, is mandatory. Of course, you could decide to do it yourself, but there is a lot to be said for getting someone else to go over your work before it’s published. Whether it’s the cost of buying drinks for your writing group or friends in exchange for making suggestions on your work or the cost of a professional editor, this is one area where it’s worth the investment.

Depending on how you publish your work, there will also be certain unavoidable costs related to publishing it, such as print on demand services if you decide to go down the print route. Not all aspects of independent publishing have to cost money, though: you could pay for marketing, but equally you could make use of free options and do it yourself, for instance.

However, whatever you decide to pay for, there is one cost that you can’t get away from: time. Self-publishing takes time, and while it might not be a cost in the normal sense, it’s something that will need to be built into your publishing plan. First of all, it takes time to write a book – usually months, and sometimes years.

It takes time to edit, and to do your research about the industry, and to get the finished book just right before you publish it. It takes time to market the book, to do the administration related to publishing it and then to do it all again so you can get your next book out there. It’s an investment, and one to be taken as seriously as hiring the right editor or cover designer.

This is something we shouldn’t forget: self-publishing is wonderful, can be great fun and the rewards can be excellent, but it is also an investment. It’s something we need to commit to and be serious about to make it all worth it. What do you think?