How much does (sometimes) an author make?

Question

Ok, I know this is a hard question to ask. I don't mean to be nosey.

Let's just say, a bookstore buys my book for $3.00, how much would (sometimes) my profit be?
$1.00, $ 2.00, please answer my question. Thanks!

And, If you can, may you tell me how some of your books sell, of course, I know this answer will be differnt from another answer.

Answer 1

In 2004, Nielsen Bookscan tracked sales of 1.2 million books in
the US. Of those 1.2 million, 950,000 sold fewer than 99 (yes, ninety-nine) copies each. Another 200,000 sold fewer than 1,000 copies. Only 25,000 books sold more than 5,000 copies. Fewer than 500 sold more than 100,000 copies. Only 10 books sold more than a million copies each.

Bottom line: THE AVERAGE BOOK IN THE US SELLS ABOUT 500 COPIES. Based on your question, (after expenses) you could make as little as $100 lifetime for the effort. Good luck.

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

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(For a FREE copy of The Scythian Stone or a full color, four chapter illustrated demo of The Blackgloom Bounty, email me at [e-mail]).

My author blog: http://the-blackgloom-bounty.blogspot.com/

Answer 2

You're looking for a specific writer to tell you what they make as opposed to someone guessing. I am a journalist so I don't write books however a good friend of mine is an author. He had a play published in an anthology and he was paid an upfront amount ($5000) and then gets residuals everytime the play is performed or the book sells. The residuals total $150 for each time the play is performed and it is performed at least twice a month consistently and sometimes more than that. The anthology doesn't see so much anymore.

This same friend is just about to have a book published. He is in California and managed to get a publishing company interested. It took multiple re-writes and approximately 1 year before it was ready for actual publication. He got an advance and then will get a % of sales over a certain number of units. He may make $15,000 total unless the book is a huge bestseller in which case he could make millions.

Answer 3

On the average, an author gets a 15-20% cut of every book sold. The reason for this is because the publisher needs to recoup publishing costs. There's the price of paper and manufacturing the book, paying the editor, the proofreader, cover artist, researchers, packaging, postage and shipping, and everyone else gets cut of the book--like the bookstores. Everybody involved gets a cut of the action.

Answer 4

Depends on how many people buy the book. Or depends on what your rate is set up as. You set up book signings at your local bookstore to promote your book. You can also have an article written in your local paper. Get a ispn number for your book so that it can be put in bookstores. Add it to amazon.com and other bookstores online.

Answer 5

The truth is, if you're a new author, you're not going to make any money. You have to have constant book sales, multiple printings and a wide base of varied consumers. If you get a royalty, and you're book doesn't sell, you have to pay it back.

If your book goes for three dollars, you have to break the cost of the book down. Fifteen cents goes to cover the printing costs, another portion to your agent, yet another to the editor and still yet another portion to the store your book is in. If you make a third in revenue, you're lucky.

People like King and James Rollins are flukes. In other words, don't count on that happening for you. Concentrate on getting solid sales, building up your sales portfolio. This will interest editors and publishers when you write your second book, and they'll be more likely to promote, ship, and print in larger numbers.

Jerry Simon's "Tips for Writers" on-line newsletter is an excellent source of information about how to get published. Having worked for Random House and other big name publishers for over 25 yrs, he's an expert, and wants to genuinely help writers get their work going. Check it out, or mail me for more info, I'd be glad to help:)

Answer 6

Well i have never heard of a three dollar book. I have no clue, i would be thinking it would be a percentage like 12% of all earnings or something like that so if 12% were true. That $3.oo book, the author would earn 36 cents but that only one book.

Answer 7

Depends on what is in your contract. Publishers and agents give you a contract to sign. You may or may not get royalties, depends on the publisher. You may only get a nickel per every three dollars made. You will most likely get something. Depends on contracts, dear. Some make cents, some make dollars. I love writing, it is a chance I am willing to take.

Answer 8

It actually depends. Inorder to get money, your books need to sell. So, the more books you sell, the more money you are going to earn.

Answer 9

won't you have to sell the book for $3.00, and then the store bumps it up to, I don't know how much. But yeah..

Answer 10

hi, look at the dedicaiton contained in the e book on the region lower than. it is sweet, personal and so on. I loved it. in case you experience R.L. Stine's artwork has inspired you i imagine it truly is an effective reason to tutor him on your dedication.