Updated August2026
A picture book rewrite client I worked with last year just contacted me about a Vanity Press. I won’t mention the name because I’m not that familiar with the company.
If they’re like other scammer services, they’ll accept your book for publication, but you need to pay for editing, design (formatting and layout), illustrations, covers, front and back matter, the ISBN code, barcode, and any other needed elements. You’ll also need to pay them to actually create the files and upload them for publication.
Now, I know this particular book doesn’t need to be edited because I rewrote it, edited it, and proofread it. So right off the bat, they’re scamming the author.
A little side note: I’ve seen the damage these unprofessional editors create when they get their hands on an edited and polished manuscript. It’s almost always bad, and sometimes it’s disastrous. But these editors (supposedly) are what the vanity presses can afford to keep their profits high.
Okay, back on track.
The book was a simple chapter book at around 3500 words. So she went with ten illustrations, which would work fine.
An author can get decent illustrations for around $100-$140 per interior illustration. There are hybrid illustrators who will create quality interior illustrations for $50. Covers will be more.
But since vanity presses use low-end workers, the illustrators probably work for well under $50 per illustration, but I’ll stick with around $50.
The vanity wanted $2300 from my client for the illustrations. Depending on the quality of the vanity’s staff, this may not be that bad a price. This would break down to $200 per interior illustration (X10) and $300 for the cover.
ILLUSTRATIONS
With qualified illustrators, ten interior illustrations may cost $1000, plus $200 for the cover. This would make the cost of 10 interior illustrations and a book cover $1200.
Keep in mind that there are higher-end illustrators charge $250-$500 per interior illustration. The higher the cost, the more likely you will NOT own the illustrations; the illustrator will. This can be a headache down the road.
It’s a good idea to make sure you own the illustrations you are paying to create. Be sure it’s in your contract with an illustrator or self-publishing service.
NOTE: Off the bat, my client was being overcharged at least $1100 for illustrations. And now you can use AI-generated images and hybrid illustrations, both of which will substantially lower the costs.
Now, moving on to design and formatting. I don’t know what the service was charging my client, but below is what you should expect.
DESIGN & FORMATTING
For design, formatting, and print-ready files, it could cost $450-$750+, depending on the project and the service. Let’s average it out and go with $600. This will include the barcode on the back of the book.
Every book needs an ISBN if you intend to sell it, and it’s important that the author buy their own ISBNs. You can get them from Bowker’s My Identifiers: https://www.myidentifiers.com. They are 10 for $295 or one for $125. Since you need a unique ISBN for each format of your book (paperback, digital, hardcover, etc.), the 10-pack is the best option.
So, if you start with a polished manuscript and organize and manage all the elements yourself, you will have a published book for under or around $2100, including illustrations and ISBNs.
Illustrations $1200 + formatting/design $600 + ISBNs $295 = $2095.
If your manuscript needs editing, the cost will increase. I would advise using a reputable editor, not a vanity press editor.
SELF-PUBLISHING CONSULTANTS & SERVICES
There are a lot of moving parts to building and publishing a book. If you feel you need help, you can hire a self-publishing consultant. It will be another $500-$700+.
If you’re overwhelmed and need more hands-on help, hire a do-it-for-you service instead of a consultant. This will be $750-$900, possibly more. They will organize and manage your project, taking all the components of your book through design/formatting, publication-ready files, and actually publishing your book for you.
Some services provide both consulting and A-Z services.
VANITY PRESSES
It would cost the vanity press around $500 for the illustrations (putting a price of $50 per interior illustration). And maybe another $50 for the cover. Remember, they’re most likely paying much less.
Guessing they would do a botched editing job regardless of whether the manuscript needed it or not, add another $150 for editing (random amount).
Then there’s actually design and formatting.
Note 1: The vanity press will usually provide a free ISBN. They do this because if they provide it, they will be listed as the book’s publisher.
Note 2: Vanity presses make their money from the author. You’re their customer. And most authors don’t recoup their self-publishing costs.
Note 3: A telltale mark of a vanity press is that they offer bundle services. These bundles even include marketing services.
They’ll build you an author website, write the web copy, and promote your book.
Buyer, beware!
I’ve seen some very unprofessional editing, illustrations, published books, and websites created by vanity presses.
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
Whether they call themselves hybrid publishers, traditional publishers, or self-publishers, if you’re paying for everything to get your book published, you’re working with a vanity press.
But there’s always a flip side.
While most self-publishing services may be scams, some are legit…reputable.
For a list of ones that actually care about your book and help you publish a book you’ll be proud of, check out ALLi: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/. I also offer self-publishing consulting and services. Check out the link below.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, book doctor, editor, and self-publishing consultant. I help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to call your own—and provide hands-on guidance through every step of the self-publishing process.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ page book that will help you write your own children’s book.
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK AND CHAPTER BOOK COACHING
4- to 12-week programs
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING CONSULTING AND SERVICES
Guidance and hands-on for children’s authors (specializing in picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
