When and Why: Special Editions
Special editions are one of the most exciting things an author can invest in—and one of the easiest ways to overextend your budget before your book is ready for it. In this post, we're breaking down exactly when a special edition makes sense for an indie or self-published author, when it doesn't, and how to make that call based on your budget, your following, and your goals.
SEO requirements satisfied. Now it’s time to start talking.
We've worked on a lot of books. And by a lot, I genuinely mean a lot. We're a pre-publication studio that offers literally everything you can imagine—editing, typesetting (interior formatting), cover design, the works. We've worked on books from the rough draft to the second edition, and yes, to the special edition. And in that time, we've seen special editions born too early—and sometimes, too late.
When is the right time to publish a special edition?
Well, I hate to say it. It's subjective. I know, it sounds like a useless answer, but I promise I have a point.
Every author is different. Every author's following is different. Every author's budget is different. All of these things come into play when deciding whether it's time to dive in.
Before we get into the minutiae (look at me dropping an SAT word while my coffee is wearing off), let's define what makes a special edition... special.
Special Edition Shinies
New cover
Diamond/foil-stamped cover elements/typography
Painted/sprayed edges
Interior artwork
Custom end papers
Dust jacket treatment
New/extended scenes
Merch add-ons (bookmarks, character art prints, stickers, etc.)
If you saw a bunch of dollar signs... yeah.
Here's the thing: special editions are quite expensive. And in a publishing market that doesn't typically show returns for a lot of authors, special editions are often just another expense. An expensive expense.
So, when is it worth it?
As always, our advice is given with the "budget and bandwidth" mentality.
Before we dive in: if your heart is really set on a special edition and you sincerely feel like you can't live without it—do it. Life is too short to not take chances on yourself. But if you feel trepidation, or you're weighing your options and trying to be pragmatic, here's our advice.
If you have unlimited funds and find the process of organizing vendors and supplies a sincerely delightful process, a special edition can absolutely be worth it. You can release it:
Alongside your original release as a pre-order incentive
As an anniversary edition
As a pre-order incentive for your next book
If you have moderate funds and have seen a good return on the original version of the book, you can release it:
As an anniversary edition
As a book tour/signing exclusive
As a signed copy available on your website for a limited time
As a pre-order incentive for your next book
If you don't have a lot of money saved up and haven't seen returns on the first iteration, we wouldn't recommend it.
Special editions can be fantastic sales tools—but if you're already struggling to gain traction with your original book, we'd rather you spend your time and money dissecting why you're not seeing returns on your investment.
Sometimes this can be remedied with a new cover, another round of revisions, or investing in a marketing service or influencer outreach program. Sometimes it requires a bit more of a deep dive. But if you don't have the following and the book doesn't have enough interest, pouring more money into a more expensive version will likely leave you feeling defeated . . . and make your wallet very angry at you.
Trust us, we get it.
Special editions are . . . well, they're special. Everyone likes shiny new things. But self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. So pace yourself. Do the deeply unsexy work first to make sure it's worth it.
We want you in the game for the long haul. Your stories matter and the world needs them. Don't burn the candle at both ends.
Want More From Hawthorn & Aster?
Subscribe for blog updates, publishing insights, and behind-the-scenes content.
Authors can also opt into our Author Newsletter for marketing promotions, service updates, and exclusive deals—just select the appropriate option when signing up!