Troubador Publishing's own published examples range from £600 for a digital-only ebook to £7,500 for a full production package with active marketing and bookshop distribution, depending on editing level, cover design, and print run. Exact costs are bespoke-quoted per project.
Publisher Research Series
Troubador Publishing Costs 2026: Real Fees & Alternatives
Troubador Publishing (Matador imprint) is one of the UK's most established author-funded publishers. Before committing to a four-figure production fee, this page covers what the contract terms typically look like, what distribution you actually get, and how the model compares to your alternatives.
By Gia K., Director of Editorial and Book Production • May 6, 2026
Editorial note: This page presents publicly available information about Troubador Publishing Ltd and its Matador imprint to help authors make informed decisions. Columbia Publication is not affiliated with Troubador. Pricing figures are sourced directly from Troubador's own published pricing page and cost guide, cited inline. Other factual claims are sourced from Companies House filings and publicly available contract summaries. Nothing on this page constitutes legal or financial advice.
What Is Troubador Publishing — and Who Is It For?
Troubador Publishing Ltd is a Leicester-based independent publisher founded in 1990 as an academic press. It launched Matador — its self-publishing imprint — in 1999. The two names refer to the same company. Troubador is the brand used for its traditional list; Matador is the brand used when authors pay for production services.
Troubador produces over 500 books per year and positions itself at the quality end of the UK author-funded market. Unlike pure print-on-demand services, it warehouses physical stock at a Leicestershire distribution center and distributes to UK bookshops through Orca Book Services, including Waterstones. For a UK-focused author, this is a meaningful advantage over platforms that only offer Amazon and generic Ingram listings.
The model is best suited to authors who want professional UK production, genuine bookshop access, and are prepared to invest upfront. It is not the right fit for authors targeting the US or international markets as a primary audience — Troubador's distribution strength is concentrated in the UK.
The Troubador / Matador Model in Plain Terms
You pay a production fee upfront. Troubador produces your book to a professional standard, lists it in their catalog, and distributes copies to UK bookshops. You retain your copyright and receive royalties on sales. The production fee is non-refundable regardless of sales performance.
This is the hybrid or partnership publishing model. You carry the financial risk; you keep most of the reward; the publisher handles production and logistics.
What Troubador Publishing Costs
Troubador does not publish a standard price list. Their website offers bespoke quotes for each project, which is standard for premium services but makes comparison difficult before you make first contact.
Troubador publishes its own pricing examples and a cost breakdown on its website. Figures below are quoted directly from those pages:
| Service Component | Published Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cover design | From £150 (+VAT) | Standalone service price |
| Typesetting | From £300 (+VAT) | Interior layout, standalone service price |
| Ebook conversion | From £250 (+VAT) | Standalone service price |
| Copy-editing (90,000-word novel) | ~£850 (+VAT) | Scales with manuscript length |
| Digital-only ebook, full service | ~£600 | Conversion, cover, ISBN and distribution |
| Paperback novel package | ~£2,500 | Production, cover, 200 copies, bookshop distribution |
| Full package with active marketing | £6,000 – £7,500 | Adds active retailer marketing and a publicity campaign |
Figures sourced from troubador.co.uk/pricing and troubador.co.uk/blog/cost-to-self-publish, accessed 26 Aug 2026. Troubador states these are examples only and that production and printing costs vary by manuscript; request a written quote directly from Troubador for your specific project.
5 Questions to Ask Before Signing with Any Author-Funded Publisher
These apply to Troubador, Matador, and every other hybrid publisher. Get written answers to all five before paying anything.
1. What is the exact production fee and what does it include?
Get an itemized quote. Ask what happens to the price if page count changes, if you request revisions, or if a reprint is needed. Confirm whether VAT is included in the figure quoted.
2. What is the exact royalty percentage on print sales through each channel?
Ebook splits (85/15 per reported contracts) differ from print royalties. Print royalties vary by channel — direct, trade, Amazon. Ask for the percentage on each channel in writing before you sign.
3. Which titles receive active sales team support — and how is that decided?
Troubador's sales team actively promotes selected titles to bookshops. Not all titles receive this. Ask specifically how selection works and what criteria your manuscript needs to meet.
4. When and how do you receive production files?
Per reviewed contract terms, files are released after all payments are settled. Ask which files specifically (interior PDF, cover, source files), in what format, and under what license. Aim for source files — InDesign or equivalent — not just print-ready PDFs.
5. What are the contract exit terms?
How long does the contract run? What does it cost to terminate early? Can you republish under a different ISBN while the contract is active? These questions matter more two years from now than they do today.
Troubador vs. Columbia Publication
Neither is right for every author. The table presents structural differences so you can match the model to your goals.
| Factor | Troubador / Matador | Columbia Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Leicester, UK | US-based, global clients |
| Starting Fee | £600 (ebook) – £7,500, bespoke quote | From $1,499, published prices |
| UK Bookstore Distribution | Strong — Orca / Waterstones | Global retail and library distribution |
| US / International Distribution | Limited | Global network |
| Production Timeline | 4–6 months typical | 4–8 weeks typical |
| File Delivery | After all payments settled | At project completion |
| Publisher Imprint | Matador | Gravitas Press |
| Best Suited For | UK-focused, bookshop priority | Global reach, US/UK/international |
Troubador data sourced from publicly available reviews and reported author accounts. Columbia Publication data based on current published pricing.
Who Should Consider Troubador — and Who Should Look Elsewhere
Troubador may suit you if:
Your primary market is UK bookshops
Budget of £3,000+ for full production
You want a UK-based team end to end
A 4–6 month timeline suits your plans
Consider alternatives if:
Readers are primarily in the US, UAE, Canada or Australia
You need to be live within 4–8 weeks
Budget is under £2,000 for the full project
You want files delivered without conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
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