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Out of which you pay for editing, copyediting, proofreading, typesetting, printing, warehousing, distribution, promotion. You will be doing pretty well if you

• ghaff 5y ago
  Yes, you do pretty much need to pay at least something for editing and copyediting. (Also possibly at least cover design.) But you probably shouldn't be expecting a publisher to be doing heavy editing for you either. As for the others, you also shouldn't be expecting the publisher to mail out review copies, arrange book signings, etc. Or other promotion that goes beyond just being part of the publisher's stable of books. That's going to be on you. As for the others, with print on demand someone can order a book through Amazon. No involvement on your part.
  • Finnucane 5y ago
    Where I work, we still do all those things, but it's academia. POD is pretty high unit cost. Good luck with that.
    • ghaff 5y ago
      The printing cost for a 200 or so page 6"x9" softcover in Kindle Direct Publishing with color cover and B&W interior is about $4. So if you sell it for $10, you collect about 50%. However, in my case, I give away an eBook. The book is mostly on Amazon so physical books can be ordered for a book signing at an event. I have it priced just a bit above cost. One key with editing is that you need someone willing to put in the time to do a careful job. In my experience, asking a co-worker tends not to work well. About the only time I get carefully edited (mostly copyediting) is when I'm actually working with an editor.