Startup cost: $100 - $3k

Setup costs range from $100 to $3,000 for someone starting a book author side hustle. On the low end, the minimum expenses might include purchasing a domain name, setting up a basic website, and investing in some marketing materials. On the high end, the costs could involve professional website design, hiring an editor, and running targeted advertising campaigns. Essential expenses at launch typically include domain registration, writing software, and possibly an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), while optional costs could be professional cover design services and book formatting tools. Hidden or unexpected fees may arise from copyright registration, professional editing services, or marketing promotions. Online feedback suggests that while starting as a book author can be relatively low-cost initially, expenses can increase as you commit to higher quality services and marketing efforts. If a friend wanted to take this seriously, I would recommend budgeting between $500 and $2,000 to cover essential initial expenses and potentially invest in professional help to enhance the book's quality and reach.