[ephemeral]

How many times, and in how many ways, must a message repeat before its meaning becomes crystal clear?
ephemeral

How Much Money Do Self-Published Authors Make?
Jeremy Greenfield

In short, not much.

According to data from a new survey from Digital Book World and Writer’s Digest, the median income range for self-published authors is under $5,000 and nearly 20% of self-published authors report deriving no income from their writing.

By comparison, authors published by traditional publishers had a median income range of $5,000 to $9,999 and “hybrid authors” (those who both self-publish and publish with established publishers) had a median income range of $15,000 to $19,999.

At the high end of the spectrum, 1.8% of self-published authors made over $100,000 from their writing last year, compared with 8.8% of traditionally published authors and 13.2% of hybrid authors.

“Few authors are getting rich off of their writing or even earning enough from their writing to quit their day jobs,” writes Dana Beth Weinberg, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Queens College in New York City, and lead researcher for the study.

The study was conducted online in October and November 2013 and gathered a sample of about 9,000 authors of different kinds. This is a non-scientific sample and so results may not necessarily be extrapolated to a nationally representative sample.

Weinberg will discuss the state of authors, publishing, and self-publishing at the Digital Book World 2014 conference. Last year, Digital Book World conducted a similar survey among nearly 5,000 authors. The full results of that survey can be found here.

ok they dont make much money

[h5550]

Biased. Compare in the similar popularity(sales, as example ~5000 copies sold), then you can see the difference.

[GLMahan]

You can't really get much information from the article. It's hard to aggregate self-publisher income (or even trad-publisher income) and derive any kind of meaningful data. I'd guess that *most* self-publishers make less than $500 from each of their book releases. Hell most make less than $500/year, even with multiple releases.

Traditionally published mid-list authors might make between 10 and 30K for a book advance on royalties. but that's not all paid at once. It's usually paid in thirds: 1/3 upon signing the contract, 1/3 upon manuscript acceptance (which usually occurs many months later after editing) and 1/3 upon book release (which can be even a year later). It takes most authors the better part of a year just to write the book in the first place. So, split a 30K advance over a 2-3 year period, and you can see why most mid-list authors have day jobs.

In both the self publishing word and traditional publishing world, there are rock stars. Stephen King, Amanda Hawking, Konrath, etc. To get there, it takes more than just a good story. It also takes a lot of luck, and getting the right buzz at the right moment. It's not something that authors or publishers can control, no matter what 'system' some of the self-publishing rich-kids are selling.

You can't really get much information from the article. It's hard to aggregate self-publisher income (or even trad-publisher income) and derive any kind of meaningful data. I'd guess that *most* self-publishers make less than $500 from each of their book releases. Hell most make less than $500/year, even with multiple releases.

Traditionally published mid-list authors might make between 10 and 30K for a book advance on royalties. but that's not all paid at once. It's usually paid in thirds: 1/3 upon signing the contract, 1/3 upon manuscript acceptance (which usually occurs many months later after editing) and 1/3 upon book release (which can be even a year later). It takes most authors the better part of a year just to write the book in the first place. So, split a 30K advance over a 2-3 year period, and you can see why most mid-list authors have day jobs.

In both the self publishing word and traditional publishing world, there are rock stars. Stephen King, Amanda Hawking, Konrath, etc. To get there, it takes more than just a good story. It also takes a lot of luck, and getting the right buzz at the right moment. It's not something that authors or publishers can control, no matter what 'system' some of the self-publishing rich-kids are selling.

ok that littledepresing becausse like a lot more indy autorr

[GLMahan]

ok that littledepresing becausse like a lot more indy autorr

Being an author is depressing in general, if you're hoping to live a life of fame and glamor.

http://publishing.about.com/od/BookAuth ... Author.htm

For most of us, it's not a rock star life.