A professionally illustrated book cover will cost between $500 and $1,500 on average. A completely illustrated book, as you might assume, costs significantly more—around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the breadth and intricacy of the artwork. An artist's fee ranges from 30% to 50% of the cover price. In addition to paying the artist, you also have to consider other costs that may not be apparent until after you've started publishing books. For example, if you decide to use a printer who charges by the page, you'll need to estimate how many pages each book will be and adjust your budget accordingly. If you choose to self-publish, which we recommend, you can expect to spend around $10,000 for a basic illustrated book and up to $50,000 or more for a high-end edition. Now, here's the good news: Most artists are willing to work with you on a fixed-price contract. This means that they'll provide you with a final quote before you start shopping for publishers or printers. If you like what they come up with, great! You've just saved some money. If not, they're happy to work with you again based on what they know now. Either way, you've got an agreement that ensures clear communication from beginning to end so there aren't any surprises later on.