There is a survey that claims 54% of traditionally-published authors and almost 80% of go-it-alone writers earn less than $1,000 (£600) a year. You may have read about in the January 2014 press.
The 9,210 respondents slotted into four groups: aspiring, self-published only, traditionally-published only, and hybrid (both self-published and traditionally-published). More than 65% of those who filled out the survey described themselves as aspiring authors, with 18% self-published, 8% traditionally-published and 6% saying they were pursuing hybrid careers.
77% of Self-published authors make $1,000 (£600) or less a year;
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0.7% of self-published writers earn more than $100,000 a year
53.9% of traditionally-published authors make $1,000 (£600) or less a year;
1.3% of traditionally-published earn more than $100,000 a year
43.6% of hybrid authors make $1,000 (£600) or less a year;
5.7% of hybrid writers reported making more than $100,000 a year from their writing.
Put like that, it sounds a soul destroying exercise if money is the main object of your writing. However, only 20% of self-pubbed authors and 25% of traditional authors thought making money extremely important. On the other hand, 56% of self-pubbers, and almost 60% of traditional authors, thought it extremely important to "publish a book that people will buy."
The top 2% or so of authors make a good living and the most successful authors – including self-published – make a tremendous amount of money. Maybe that is the lure. We all dream that we'll be one of the lucky ones.
Some writers look to money for validation. If you self-publish, without the prestige of being chosen by a major publisher, then the money is a good substitute. It isn't the only motivation, but matters on many levels. One self-pubbed author thinks the survey is skewed (my words, not his) because it pits self-pubbed authors with a year or two's experience against traditional authors who spent twenty years in the publishing game. Self-publishing allows authors to learn and hone their skills, and he thinks many are paying bills with money they've earned by writing - and that should be celebrated.
The top 2% or so of authors make a good living and the most successful authors – including self-published – make a tremendous amount of money. Maybe that is the lure. We all dream that we'll be one of the lucky ones.
Some writers look to money for validation. If you self-publish, without the prestige of being chosen by a major publisher, then the money is a good substitute. It isn't the only motivation, but matters on many levels. One self-pubbed author thinks the survey is skewed (my words, not his) because it pits self-pubbed authors with a year or two's experience against traditional authors who spent twenty years in the publishing game. Self-publishing allows authors to learn and hone their skills, and he thinks many are paying bills with money they've earned by writing - and that should be celebrated.
Read the complete article by Alison Flood: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/17/writers-earn-less-than-600-a-year
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