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Someone recently asked me for advice on how to get a book published. She said she wasn't "looking to make money off her story." I get this a lot, and I think people need to understand that it is VITAL that professional writers be paid, and be paid well. This is not a hobby. 👇
I am 100% freelance writer. That means I don't have a salaried academic post or another job to fall back on. I live off my book advances and royalties (an author only receives royalties if s/he has "paid out" the advance [i.e. earned back] - most authors don't pay out).
For those lucky enough to "pay out," they can expect to earn 8-10% from each book sale. This means that a book which is retailing for $10 on Amazon will earn an author around $1 per sale. So a writer needs to sell A LOT of books to earn substantial income from royalties.
Advances can be misleading as they are often paid out in increments. I'm fortunate to earn six-figure book deals. I'm paid 25% on signing, 25% on delivery of manuscript, 25% on hardback, and 25% on paperback. This process takes YEARS. Agent fees are also deducted (rightly so!)
I'm only paid the bulk of my advance once the book is completed (not before). For perspective: my current manuscript is behind schedule - so that means I will earn ZERO INCOME from my forthcoming book this year.
That said: I'm very lucky that I can *mostly* support myself through my book advances - though I still need to supplement my income through speaking engagements, etc. Many writers are not so fortunate, and have to juggle multiple jobs in order to stay afloat.
Which brings me back to my original point: professional writers need to be paid & paid well. For many of us, writing is our livelihood. When people agree to write for free, or take very small advances w/ no royalties, they're perpetuating a problem many professional writers face.
Last time I wrote on this subject, I got weirdly aggressive tweets from people saying I should be grateful that I don't have to do [insert job description]. Please do not misinterpret this as "my job is harder than yours." I'm merely explaining the challenges many writers face.
If you'd like to support your favourite writers, there are simple ways to do so: 1) Buy our books 2) Ask your local library to order a copy of our books 3) Leave online reviews 4) Tell people about our books 5) Suggest our books to your local book club.
I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world. In the words of J. K. Rowling (via her character Albus Dumbledore): "Words are...our most inexhaustible source of magic." What books have inspired, motivated, challenged, frightened, excited or moved you over the years?
Incidentally, me quoting from a Harry Potter book shows you just as cool I really am... which is to say: PRETTY FUCKING COOL. 🧙♂️ The End.
