By far the most popular post on my website and the one that I get the most hits off of (which wasn’t the original intent, but hey) is this one: So, how much money do writers make anyway? It was inspired by a post by S. L. Viehl over on Genreality (links are within that other post) where a NY Times Bestselling author posted up her sales figures for her book.
I understand that some people have given her flack over it, but I can’t imagine why. Publishing is a strange business and one in which trying to understand royalties and earnings make about as much sense as reading the tax code. Or Ulysses. As a new-ish author, I know I’ve been confused and confuddled about just exactly how well my book is doing. There’s really no way to find out. I mean, I get royalty statements and I read them (of course), but what does it all really mean? My agent and my publisher tell me it’s doing just fine.
Great. What does that mean, exactly?
Posts like Viehl’s are like life preservers in a sea of misinformation and second guesses. In my own way, I’d like to contribute as well. I’m willing to post the first year royalty/earning information for Sucks to Be Me (see below) if 4 other traditionally published authors are willing to do the same (debut book or not, doesn’t matter). I’m specifying traditionally published because I don’t think self-published figures would provide any kind of accurate comparison (no offense, self-pubbed authors).
Are you up for it?
I’d appreciate any comments from authors and those seeking knowledge (ha, that sounds so highfalutin). What do you think?
So Far: 2 Authors have responded (Ellen Hopkins and Saundra Mitchell). Any more?
(I’m also posting links to other authors and info as I find them – if you know of one, let me know and I’ll add it here)
- Saundra Mitchell’s Post
- Ellen Hopkin’s figures are below in a comment, so be sure to read them (personally, I’m inspired by them, though I don’t write remotely the same types of books as Ellen!)
- And I came across Jim Hines’ 3 year’s worth of income posts.
- And here’s a related post that’s got older (but still good) info on author advances from Tobias Buckell (who looks like a cool dude)
UPDATE: Since Saundra went ahead and posted her first statement, I’m going to as well (and trust that 2 other authors will join us…come on, guys!). Gotta put my money where my mouth is, right?
Sucks to Be Me’s First Statement
Okay, first of all, Sucks to Be Me is my debut novel. I finished writing it in 2005. I found out it was being published in July 2007. It came out at the end of August 2008. I received an advance of $4,000.00 (which, as I understand it, is on the low end, but that was okay…I also didn’t have an agent and figured it was my first novel and, honestly, was just excited to be published). My publisher is one of the rare ones that pays royalties quarterly, so I see statements 4 times a year rather than just twice. It came out in hardcover, with the paperback following up in August of 2009. I’ve scanned in my first statement, which is dated October 22, 2008 for the period ending September 28, 2008 (in other words, about a month after my book came out). Take a look here: Oct 08 Statement
October 2008 -Period for June 30 – September 28, 2008
Gross Units 12,604 Return Units 28 Net Units 12,576
Royalty Earned: $11,280.67 Reserve Withheld: $2,261.16 Reserve Liquidated: $25.12
Net Royalty Earned: $9,044.63 (minus the $4,000.00 advance) = $5,044.63
So, to sum up, my first statement (which has basically just the first month of sales in it and pre-orders, I suppose) showed that 12,576 books were sold. My total earnings were $9,044.63 (including the advance that I received in 2007).
Since then, I’ve seen the statements fluctuate all over the place. Up, down, sideways…the holidays seem to provide a bump and so did the release of the paperback (though hardback returns increased once the paperback came out, but that was to be expected, I imagine). I’m really curious what the release of the second book (a sequel) is going to do, not only with it’s own sales, but to the sales of the first book.
Keep in mind that you have to take into account taxes as well as money spent on promoting the book. There’s also no easy way to do a time/cost benefit analysis. How much time did I spend writing it? Promoting it? LOTS. And the promoting continues every day (and by promoting I really mean connecting. Connecting with readers.).
As I’m mentioned in other posts, I’ve sold the Spanish and Croatian and Audio rights to the book as well. I can’t stress enough that selling additional rights (foreign, audio, whatever) can make a huge difference in the total projected earnings for your books (see Jim Hines on this subject as well).
Now, I should also mention that I don’t have another job (I don’t count running YA Books Central since that costs me money; I’m lucky if I break even on that on any given year). I used to work as a corporate manager making a bunch o’ money, but I quit to write (and while I miss the money, I don’t miss the job!). And now, also to raise a son (Max is now one and a half). My husband and I consider my writing income to be extra (though much appreciated…man, kids are expensive!) and we try not to plan on it when budgeting, especially since we never know exactly how big a check is going to be.
IF I can manage to write more than one book a year (which, I’ll be honest, is so far really hard with The Max) and I can get them published, it would be an awesome thing. I have no idea whether my numbers are typical or sustainable. I have no idea how they will be affected once the sequel, Still Sucks to Be Me, comes out in May. I am just taking this whole thing one day at a time and trying to write the best books that I can and have fun doing it. It’s a job and it is work, but it is also something I can’t imagine not doing. I’ve written all my life (recently found one of my first stories — really silly, but hey, I was about three).
Anyway, I hope this information helps. I wish there had been something out there like it for me a year ago. I’m still confused. I hope that more authors will post some information. I know we have a big tabboo in this country about disclosing financial matters (and honestly, my hubby doesn’t know I’m posting this and would probably think I am insane), but I do believe in helping others when I can. And this is information I’d have died for last year.
Please feel free to post any questions or comments. Thanks!
I should also stress that I did NOT have an agent for Sucks to Be Me and consequently, nothing has been deducted from the earnings for the agent. So you’d need to take another 15% (I think that’s what it is) off for that. I do have an agent on Still Sucks to Be Me, so I’m seeing that now (though I’ve only just gotten the advance there, since the book isn’t out yet).
I also just found this article on Bookscan. Definitely worth a read. I had no idea! I’m learning every day. It also made me feel better about posting these numbers since technically anyone could get them (more or less), including any publishers that might be looking me up in the future to see if they want to publish me.
And I would also like to note — though it should be obvious — EVERY author’s path and numbers are different and are no guarantee whatsoever of what numbers you might see in either your advance, royalty % or total numbers. Every contract is different. My best advice is to get an agent if you can and let them negotiate the best possible deal for you. And, for the record, I think my publisher is awesome and I feel they have treated me fairly and I have no problems or concerns with anything they have done, promotion-wise or numbers-wise. They rock. 
UPDATE: I’ve seen a few self-publishing promo sites linking here and to Viehl’s post saying that these kind of numbers are a reason to self-publish. I could not disagree more. Yes, there are valid reasons to self-publish, but self-published authors DO NOT by any stretch of the imagination have access to the same distributions channels and resources as traditionally published authors. Nor do I know any (though I’m sure there are some, somewhere) that make a good living off of their books. While I don’t ever expect to be pulling in numbers like J. K. Rowling (not that I would turn them down), I could quite possibly be earning enough money by my third or fourth book to constitute a good living.
Those sites also miss a very important point: Viehl’s numbers are based on her MASS MARKET PAPERBACK sales. There’s a HUGE difference between hardback, trade paperback and mass market paperback sales.
I’ve put up a longer (rant-y) post here: On Self Publishing…
I don’t think first year royalty statements are an accurate representation of what a book can/will earn over its lifetime. I’m willing to share some information that may help. I can tell you first year earnings for CRANK (my first novel, which has gone on in five years to become something of a phenomenon) weren’t exciting. But in that five years, I’ve published six NY Times Top Ten bestsellers (children’s fiction), including my last novel, TRICKS, which debuted at #1. My life has changed considerably for the better. If you get your other three authors to share, I can give more specific information.
Thanks, Ellen! I agree that first year royalty statements aren’t necessarily an accurate representation, but it’s all I’ve got to offer
My first book came out in Aug. 08. And definitely, having additional follow up novels makes a huge difference. I know many people who picked up CRANK because they’d read IMPULSE, for instance.
I just posted my whole statement- it’s easier that way. I don’t understand the numbers, so it’s better if I don’t try to interpret them.
http://saundramitchell.com/blog/?p=2277
Thanks, Saundra, you are awesome, as always! I’m off to a birthday party now, but will start scanning in my statements so I can post stuff as well (my publisher does quarterly, so I have 4 to post).
[...] UPDATE: I did a follow up post here where I’ve posted my first year earnings on Sucks to Be Me and a challenge for other auth…. [...]
Thanks all, this is helpful. I’ll be looking in 2010 for an agent and wasn’t sure how the whole thing works.
I should also stress that I did NOT have an agent for Sucks to Be Me and consequently, nothing has been deducted from the earnings for the agent. So you’d need to take another 15% (I think that’s what it is) off for that. I do have an agent on Still Sucks to Be Me, so I’m seeing that now (though I’ve only just gotten the advance there, since the book isn’t out yet).
Rather than scan my royalty statements, which are totally confusing, especially with six books out right now (three of which I sold unagented, so those come in one set of statements, while the other three go to my agent, and then to me), I can give you a quick overview of CRANK specifically.
I got an $8000 advance for CRANK. Low, also because it was unagented. The book came out in Oct. 04, and this statement is for the period ending March ‘09, so this is for four and a half years: Net units sold are 460,839 Net earnings are $354,379.33.
For the next two books (BURNED, IMPULSE), my advance was $10,000 each. Earned back many times for both books. Then I got an agent. Advance for GLASS was $30,000. For IDENTICAL, TRICKS and the upcoming FALLOUT, the advance went to $75K each. All of those books (well, can’t say that for FALLOUT, but I believe it will happen for that book as well) earned out within the first royalty period, which closed only one month after release. I continue to earn steady royalties on all my books.
I’m now writing PERFECT, the first in a three book contract. The per-book advance was $250K. As Kim said, that is minus 15% to my agent and a lot more than that to Uncle Sam. And I do spend a lot out of pocket for travel, promotion, etc. Still, writing YA has definitely changed my life. I hope this inspires you to keep writing. I haven’t shared these figures before, because it won’t happen like this for everyone. But it CAN happen.
Thanks, Ellen! That’s awesome! It gives me some hope too
Yes, thanks to both of you for this! For showing the real numbers, and a variety of them (because of different situations). This aspiring writer truly appreciates it.
I should also mention that CRANK released as a paperback original, so was never in hardcover (they’re giving me one in the fall, when FALLOUT releases). So these figures are all for a paperback. The hardcover royalties are, of course, more…. followed by paperback. All of the rest of my books released hardcover first, then paperback.
What a wonderful post, Kim! And cheers to Saundra and Ellen for sharing their stories too. My first royalty statement won’t be arriving until next fall, so this is a lovely primer on the mystery of royalty calculations.
Thanks to everyone for sharing!
It seems like every publisher is very different!
Thank you so much for sharing these! I am pre-published, but I recently got a great agent. I’ve been writing mostly PBs (which I know are very different than YA), but I also have a first draft of a MG and have started a YA.
Recently, another pre-published friend and I were talking about day jobs and balancing writing, working, and family. She had just won a big award and gotten a wonderful agent and we were weighing the pros and cons of writing full time.
I will definitely direct her to this post. You are all so inspiring for making it work and so generous for sharing your personal stories and figures.
Congrats on getting an agent!
You ladies are an inspiration! Thank you, Kimberly, Saundra and Ellen for sharing. I write MG historical fiction, so it’s interesting to see the numbers for contemporary YA. May each of you continue to see those numbers steadily increase!
I’m curious how the MG vs. YA thing compares myself. It’s all such a spooky science!
Very helpful info! Thanks for posting this. I have a hard time figuring out my statements for my NF work. When my fiction sells, my agent will handle that and I might understand those numbers better.
Are the statements any different for non-fiction work?
WOW, this is so freaking helpful. My book isn’t out yet, but it’s so good to see a variety here and how things can progress. Thank you to Kimberly, Saundra, and Ellen for sharing with us!!!
No problem! I think it’s good for us to give back as much as we can (and besides, technically anyone could get the total number of copies sold from Bookscan…if they wanted to pay for the info).
And good luck on Stupid Cupid! The buzz I’ve been hearing is good!
Awwwwww thank you kindly!
And I so agree re: giving back. It’s amazing to see the generosity YA authors have with sharing knowledge and info!!
We are a nice group, if I do say so myself.
[...] kimberlypauley.com/2009/11/21/a-challenge-for-my-fellow-authors/ [...]
Thank you to Kimberly, Ellen and Saundra for sharing. The information is invaluable in understanding the industry from advances to statements and also in realizing that every author’s path has its own unique turns as well.
Definitely. Every path is different. I think it helps to have some type of comparison out there, but ultimately, you have to take your own numbers and go from there.
This is such important information, and I appreciate you all for sharing it.
I’m to be published next year. At this point I have the confidence and control of Bambi on ice, so it is great to find out that I’ve been doing OK. I don’t have an agent; that’s OK. I’m just happy to see my book in print; that’s OK for me too. As I’ve written elsewhere, the fact that my book might be checked out of a library and read by someone is of great value to me. It won’t show up on the royalty statement, but it matters.
Would it help if I posted my measly picture book royalty statement for it’s first quarter? It’s so small – but I think it might give a perspective.
I can’t promise that I can post my royatly statement for my upcoming YA- but I have time to get up the nerve.
Thank you for all the kind authors who posted (Ellen, I have all your books!). This helps put it all in perspective – especially those on the outside.
I used to be an internal auditor. While I miss the paycheck – I don’t miss the crap of commute and hard work.
Onward,
Bett
Absolutely, I think that would be great! Every piece of information out there is good, as far as I’m concerned.
One thing that made me feel a bit better about posting this is that *anyone* can get Bookscan numbers for your book. And apparently publishers who are considering your work routinely look up your Bookscan numbers, which only capture about 75% of your royalty sales (they capture, for instance, from Borders & Barnes & Noble, but not from WalMart or library sales). So your actual statement numbers will always look better than your Bookscan numbers. Just something to think about!
Thanks so much for sharing all of this (I see your book everywhere and it’s fascinating to see the numbers behind that). There’s one thing I wanted to mention re: bookscan vs. royalty statements. I’d also always heard that bookscan numbers were smaller than royalty statements and I figured it was because bookscan didn’t get reported numbers from all the stores (which is true). But then when I got my first royalty statement, I realized my mistake: bookscan tracks sales to consumers/readers but the royalty statement tracks sales to bookstores (which are returnable).
The two numbers are looking at two totally different sales and that’s why they’ll always be so different (in my case, my bookscan numbers at the close of my first royalty period were only 1/3 of my royalty numbers).
Just thought I’d share that since it’s something I was confused about for so long and made me understand the two numbers a lot better!
Thanks again for sharing!
Yes, Bookscan is only end consumer sales (and only from certain outlets) whereas royalty statements are sales from the publisher to the distributor/booksellers. The royalty statement numbers will be higher, but they also include potential returns (I know I’ve seen some returns, esp. of the hardback after the paperback came out). But the publisher also holds a reserve against those numbers. And from what I understand, every publisher is a little different on how much and how long they hold it.
Now YOUR book is seriously everywhere! I see it all over and hear about it all the time!
Mine seems to be pretty consistently in B&N, but I only see it about half the time in Borders. But that might just be the stores around here.
You totally answered one question I had which is whether you see returns of the hardcover going up as the paperback releases. I’ll be curious to see what those numbers look like for me (though it will prob be another year because of the reporting lag – gah!). I’ve heard YA has a better time of it (esp with series as some people like to buy all books in a series in hardcover so stores will stock it longer).
Seriously, thanks again for sharing your numbers — so amazingly informative (and brave)!
Hi, I found this post via Saundra’s blog.
I have my first YA novel coming out in a year or so – I’m very grateful for how open and generous you’ve been. This information is so helpful to someone in my position. My first book (and the sequel) are coming out with Flux, and I am really hoping that sales will be a good as yours have been.
Thank you! I hope your book continues to be successful.
Cheers,
Karen
Shopping for an agent or publisher three books. If you could point me to the right person, much appreciate…
1. I have a memoir – a reporter’s diary on little known things observed on the sidelines converning people, businesses and places.
2. A how-to book on digital photography. Want it to be for the layman, so if it’s a no-frills book with emphasis on text rather than photos and production, that would be more like it.
3. Culture essays and selected memoirs by 3 authors – From chasing skirts to chasing academics, deities, Indian curries and so on.
Sorry, I have no expertise in any of those areas whatsoever! You might want to check out agentquery.com though!
I’m sure you have heard it a lot already, but your articles are phenomenal. I googled “how much do authors make” and your other one was the first to pop up, and was exactly what I was looking for. I have been writing a book off and on for a couple months too see how far I could get and am currently about to break 40k words. I was starting to be one of those dreaming of quitting my day job to be a writer. I got to the point tonight as I should be going to bed to get up for that day job that I just had to look, and like I said, this is exactly what I was hoping to find. Between the four? five? different statements you have linked here / on your other post I have a good feeling for what to expect if I go on and finish my book. Don’t quit the day job today, but hey, five-ten years down the road it is something that could be possible.
One question I had was when trying to get published what is the best approach, take one finished novel in or make a bunch of short stories or both? Or perhaps an entire book series would be best?
All in all I just want to give you and the other published authors that have helped paint this picture a very heart-felt thank you for helping one whelp of a writer stay the course. Thank you all!
Hi Ryan, that sounds like a good topic to blog about
I’ll do up a new post. But the short answer is (in my opinion) – a single finished book that stands alone (though it can be the lead-in to a series).
Thanks very much for taking the time to post this type of information. You’re right–it’s very helpful for all writers.
Maria
No problem! I’ve gotten some critics, but I suppose that’s to be expected. I did originally have an entire year posted up, but scaled it back to one statement after so many people jumped on me.
[...] What’s best to start with… a single novel, short stories, or a series? 7 01 2010 I got this question posted to my Challenge: [...]