When I got back into writing romance, it was at a time when the ‘golden age’ was ending. The publishers were no longer giving the big advances that the ground-breakers received. The industry as a whole was changing. I always knew I wouldn’t get to experience what they had. Mostly it was my own fault. I had pursued romance over the years, but never stuck with it long enough to finish a book. That changed in 2000/2001.
When I returned to romance, ebooks were just beginning to catch on. New York wasn’t putting them out yet, but a lot of smaller companies were and I took advantage of the new technology with an eye toward eventually moving into N.Y. print. At the time if you wrote erotic romance, you could make a living with ebooks. Not sure that’s the case these days without killing yourself trying to put out a ton of books. I’d heard for years from N.Y. authors that you could make a decent living if you just had enough print books out. At least five was needed as I recall. Those days are over. And looking back, I’m not sure they ever existed. They’re part of the Big Lie. (Before you jump on me with examples that are exceptions, realize that I’m not discussing the random book lottery winners–those authors that receive a HUGE advance straight out the chute.) I’m talking about new authors–like I was–believing all the numbers being tossed around about how much you could make from this or that publisher and believing that if you just managed to publish ‘X’ number of books you’d be well on your way to making a living.
As some of you saw from Lynn Viehl’s blog post, not even most New York Times Bestselling authors could support their families much above the poverty level. She’s one of the brave authors. She’s one of the ones who will actually tell the truth about the money. Not many authors are willing to speak out. Mainly this is due to fear and embarrassment. Some hesitation comes from concern over the publishers ’seeing’ the post. (ie If they see how little I’ve been paid, they may not want to pay me what I’m worth the next time, etc.) Can’t really blame them, but unfortunately the silence perpetuates the Big Lie.
The funny thing about this post is it isn’t the publishers who are spreading falsehoods. Sure, they’ve warned authors throughout the years to never discuss their contracts. That was in the publishers best interests because some contracts ARE better than others. You don’t want all those authors walking around with ‘good’ contracts, but they rarely talked about money. And they certainly didn’t go around telling new writers that they were going to be able to make a living writing. In fact, most said, ‘Don’t quit your day job’. They were right.
These days you can be the author of 30 published books and not come anywhere close to making a living. I don’t think there is a ’specific’ number that will put you in a fairly ’stable’ position. The responsibility of promotion has fallen squarely on authors’ shoulders. With advances falling and expenses rising, that leaves little room for profit. I truly believe we’ll see a lot of our favorite authors leaving the business over the next couple of years. Those who choose to stay will have to do more than write if they want to make a living. They’ll have to become savy and skilled at creating multi-media content. More and more authors will test the waters on self-publishing with the various ebook stores. I believe very few published authors will go the self-publishing route totally. It’ll just be one facet of a larger career.
Are you ready for the future? Because it’s here.
Yup, it’s coming all right.
I think its been here for a while now.
I have 10 print books (4 category, 2 ST, and 4 anthos) and I am not making a decent living on it. I’m actually barely making a living.
For every Stephanie Meyer there are a 1000 authors barely making enough to pay the bills.
by Vivi Anna November 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pmV, It’s here. I agree that it’s been here for a while. It’s just easier to see it now. I know people with 50 books out who aren’t able to make a living. I think the ratio you listed above is being kind. I think it’s a lot higher than that. :/
by Jordan Summers November 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pmI’m one of the lucky ones who can do it without a day job on the side, but if I didn’t have such an extensive ebook backlist, it wouldn’t have happened-at least not yet, maybe not any time soon.
Also, if I didn’t have a fantastic DH, it wouldn’t happen. We’re a two income household and if it was just mine? I’d still be working the old day job.
by Shiloh Walker November 9th, 2009 at 4:12 pmI couldn’t support a family of four on my income yet, although if we can buy a cheap enough house, that’d change. *g* Titles in print; 7 anthologies, 5 small press ST, 5 NY ST. Plus ebook backlist.
I’ve been scouring Brazen Careerist and reading Getting To Yes to brush up my skills for today’s business realities. Today’s authors simply have to do more for themselves than ever before just to stay in the business, let alone make a living.
by Charli November 9th, 2009 at 4:24 pmTrue J, I was being generous.
Yeah, Shi, because of my situation, no husband but great family I’m secure and I have little to no debt.
I’d never be able to support my dd and myself in this economic climate in the city I live in without my family.
A condo in Calgary costs around 200,000 for pete’s sake. Our standard of living is so high its disgusting.
by Vivi Anna November 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pmShiloh, I’d probably be in a better position had put out more ebooks. Not sure I’d be able to support myself in any way shape or form, but probably.
Like you, I have a wonderful DH, who doesn’t mind that I can’t pull my weight at present. *g*
by Jordan Summers November 9th, 2009 at 4:36 pmCharli, We definitely couldn’t afford our house on my income. No way. If we moved, then maybe.
Don’t blame you for reading negotiation books. We’re all going to need amazing skills.
by Jordan Summers November 9th, 2009 at 4:37 pmV, I hear you about the high cost of living and support. If my dh didn’t make what he does, I’d have to get a day job to fill in the gaps or write a whole LOT of ebooks fast. LOL!
by Jordan Summers November 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pmI have 13 NY print books out, (8 ST, 5 novellas in anthos) and I don’t make enough off them to support myself.
However, when I was writing them, and selling regularly, I could. I chose to take a break almost 2 years ago, so I’ve not had any recent sales. I figure I could support myself on my writing alone if I wanted to keep writing 4 or 5 stories a year, but that’s simply because I’m single, and my only financial responsabilities are myself and my 2 cats.
by Sasha November 9th, 2009 at 7:32 pmSasha, I still couldn’t do it. Maybe with the epubs and regular releases, but not via N.Y. unless I had decent advances.
by Jordan Summers November 9th, 2009 at 8:52 pmThis is a great post and I’m seeing so much change in this industry over the last few years that it’s not funny. A number of friends have gone on to self publish so they can get a higher royalty. A few have made it to New York and with those much longer waits to schedule your book to be pubbed, some come back to ebooks to fill in the gaps.
Making a living as a writer is defintely difficult but I don’t think anyone wants to believe it’s impossible. The backlist helps, and regular releases seem to be a key to staying in the public eye. However, I am not one for killing myself to write especially for a paycheck that only comes around twice a year.
by Missy Lyons November 10th, 2009 at 11:44 amIt’s a good thing you’re changing your name.
Great post, Jordan. Yes, I’m ready. I have a day job.
by BernardL November 10th, 2009 at 2:27 pmMissy, I know a lot of people who fill in the gaps with ebooks. I think it’s pretty common, especially these days.
Sure, it’s much easier to believe the fantasy. It isn’t impossible. It’s just much harder than it’s ever been before. I learned the hard way that it doesn’t pay to kill yourself writing a ton of books…unless you really enjoy burnout and writer’s block. *g*
by Jordan Summers November 10th, 2009 at 3:29 pmBernard, Think the authors are going to come after me because of this post? *ggg*
A day job is a very good thing, especially these days.
by Jordan Summers November 10th, 2009 at 3:30 pmWell…roofing business is in bad shape too.
I might have to get a third job, actually, to make ends meet. Then I’d have to rename myself rooferauthorSomething.
by Gennita Low November 15th, 2009 at 7:43 pmGennita, I imagine anything having to do with construction is craptastic these days. Fingers crossed you don’t have to get a third job or a new name.
by Jordan Summers November 15th, 2009 at 8:40 pm[...] The Big Lie [...]
by Show me the money, bitches « Zoe Winters, Paranormal Romance Writer November 22nd, 2009 at 9:54 am