Worksheet
How many books do you need to sell?
Published by Defining Moments Press. Last updated .
Divide what you want to earn by what you make per copy: at $5 per copy, $100,000 takes 20,000 sales, and covering a $1,997 investment takes 400.
This worksheet from Defining Moments Press does that arithmetic for your own numbers. It is built only from what you type in. Many nonfiction authors find the book pays back through clients, speaking, and authority rather than copies alone, so treat the copy count as the floor, not the whole picture.
Book sales break even calculator
How many books to sell to make $100,000?
| Earned per copy | Copies to cover $1,997 | Copies to earn $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| $2 | 999 | 50,000 |
| $5 | 400 | 20,000 |
| $10 | 200 | 10,000 |
| $15 | 134 | 6,667 |
How much does an author make per copy?
Earnings per copy equal the list price times your royalty rate, minus printing where it applies. That is why a $25 book can earn very different amounts for different authors. Self-published authors keep more per copy than authors on a traditional royalty, and Defining Moments Press states that its authors keep all royalties and can order copies at cost direct from the provider, which raises the margin on books you sell yourself at events.
What this calculator assumes
- Every copy earns the same amount; in reality, ebook and print earnings differ.
- Results round up to whole copies.
- Taxes, ad spend, and income from clients or speaking are not included.
- It is an estimate, not financial advice or a prediction of sales.
For the full overview, read the guide to book coaching services pricing.
Common questions
How many books do you have to sell to make $100,000?
Divide $100,000 by what you earn per copy. At $5 per copy you would need 20,000 sales; at $10 per copy, 10,000 sales. Many nonfiction authors earn more from what the book leads to, such as clients and speaking, than from copies alone. Try the book sales calculator on this site with your own numbers.
More answers in the full FAQHow much does an author make on a $25 book?
It depends on the format, the royalty rate in your contract or retailer terms, and the print cost. Your earnings per copy equal the list price times your royalty rate, minus printing where it applies. Self-published authors keep more per copy than traditionally published authors, and Defining Moments Press states that its authors keep all royalties.
More answers in the full FAQCan I order copies of my own book?
Yes. Defining Moments Press states that you can order books at cost direct from the provider. Ordering at cost is useful for professionals who sell or give away books at talks, workshops, and client meetings, because each copy costs only what it takes to print.
More answers in the full FAQIs hiring a book coach worth it?
It is worth it when time and finishing matter to you. Bestseller Publishing notes that if a book would take you 18 months alone, a coach might compress that to 6 to 9 months. Weigh that against the fee and what the finished book can do for your work, such as clients, speaking, or authority.
More answers in the full FAQWho keeps the royalties and rights with Defining Moments Press?
You do. Defining Moments Press states that its authors keep all royalties and rights, and that it is paid a fee for its service instead of taking a share of your book income. That is a key difference from a traditional publishing deal, where the publisher typically holds rights and pays the author a royalty.
More answers in the full FAQTalk through your book idea
The discovery call includes looking for profit opportunities from your book, even before you write a word. Bring your numbers.
Book a free discovery call