Do I make money by writing?

(If you like what I write, click the links on the left to help pay the bills. If you don't like what I write, click the links to find something more interesting.)

I do. I am marketing myself, and trying to double my income, but I do make money, not $100 000 a year, but enough, I am meeting my goals.

It amazes me how many people spend years writing and never make a dime, even though they are published. I know dozens of authors who are published and haven't made a cent. I know about a dozen self-published authors who have made a good living. I only know one self-published author who isn't making money. It gives you something to think about.

Really! You make about $0.10 per book that sells off the bookshelf. If the book is returned, you don't make any money. If the book is sold to a clearinghouse, you don't make any royalties. If the book doesn't sell, and there is no reprint, then you don't have anything to sell until the contract is up, which could be three years. I don't know about you. I don't want to work for a couple months, full time, on a novel, then have a publisher take three years to put it on the shelf for about six weeks. They tell me that I have to pay back any royalty (which is just a loan) from another book project. Even if they stop printing the book and sell out. They tell me I have to promote my own book, because it is my career. They tell me I have to pay for my own book signing tour. Which, the book stores want me to pay them for the privilege of bringing people into their stores. How many of you made $350.00 in a book signing? That is what one store wanted. They had three authors signing books. They spent $1050 promoting the day, which they divided between the authors. On top of that, they wanted 10% of sales.

On the other hand, I can POD publish my book and still make about $8.00 profit. Do the math. I need to sell 800 books from a publisher or one book from my website. What do you think is the best idea? On top of that, the agent wants 15%.

The down side of self-publishing is that no one wants to do the job right. I edited a manuscript last night from an author who couldn't even be bothered running grammar check. I stopped and corrected every format problem, missing period, missing quote mark, typo, extra space, and spelling error, at a cost of $10.00 an hour. At least this author wanted to make sure their book was ready. Most of the self-published books I see on the market are only first drafts, not complete marketable books. But, they still sell.

The book I will have out next month "Is Your Manuscript Ready to Submit" is another attempt at making authors wake up and realize that writing is a business, not an art. A novel is a commodity that we buy and sell on the market, like cows, like mittens.

I will feature it on my website www.authorsconnection.com. Which reminds me, if you have a novel, or other writer related product you want to sell, just comment to this blog, or go to authorsconnection or www.inspiredauthor.com and contact the webmaster (that's me :) I still have about 50 spaces I am willing to let go for $25.00 USD for 12 months/ One year.

I am also setting up an internet radio station for writers. It should be fun. I hope it attracts a lot of attention. If you join the newsletter on inspiredauthor.com then you'll be kept up to date on the progress, and maybe get a chance to take part in the programming.

I am amazed that I have the chance to blog in the day, but then, it is only because I am procrastinating. I do have work to do. I have editing to finish. I have a website to fix. All before the kids get home from school.

... Have fun....


PS. Know what I like about blogging? I can break all those rules I must adhere to when I write articles.