Ingram Spark $0.24/book profit – are children’s illustrated hardcovers just not feasible?

A self-publishing author is using Ingram Spark to print and distribute a children’s picture book and is concerned about low compensation. Using Ingram Spark’s publisher compensation calculator, the author looked at standard page amounts (32 pages), a standard size for children’s books (8 x10 ), and standard pricing ($20). Even using the cheapest color/paper quality (Standard 70) and a discount rate of 55%, the compensation was calculated at $0.24, before taxes. Increasing the listing price to $22 only increased compensation to $1.11/book, and increasing to $25 increased compensation to $2.40/book. The author questions whether the calculator is accurate or if it’s impossible to do more than break even with Ingram Spark for a children’s hardcover book.

  • The author is working on a children’s picture book and wants to self-publish it through Ingram Spark.
  • Despite following all standard options, it says my compensation would be $0.24 but it also says that does NOT account for taxes.
  • Is the calculator known to be off, or is it basically impossible to do more than break even with Ingram Spark for a children’s hardcover book?
📚 BookAddict’s Take: If you plan to self-publish a children’s book, it’s essential to carefully evaluate printing costs and pricing strategies to ensure profitability.

Source: Reddit r/selfpublish  | 
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