Royalty Reality
| Model | eBook % | Print % | Audio % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | 25% net | 8–15% | 10–25% |
| KDP (Self) | 35–70% | 60% minus print | 25% (ACX) |
| Wide (Self) | 60–70% | 60% minus print | 70%+ direct |
KU pays ~$0.005/page read — a full 300-page read = approx. $1.50.
Revenue Projections
| Timeline | Conservative | Optimistic |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $0–$100 | $300–$1,000 |
| Year 1 | $500–$2,000 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Year 3 | $1,000–$5,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
Budget Scenarios
- $0 Launch — DIY Everything — Canva cover · self-edit with free tools · Draft2Digital formatting · platform ISBNs · organic social only. Realistic outcome: 10–50 copies, month 1.
- $500 Launch — Premade cover ($150) · basic copy edit ($250) · professional formatting ($100). Realistic outcome: 50–200 copies, month 1.
- $2,000 Launch — Recommended — Custom cover ($400) · copy edit + proofread ($800) · professional formatting ($200) · own ISBNs ($295) · ads budget ($400) · ARC services ($100). Realistic outcome: 200–500 copies, month 1.