How much does a writer make??

Question

I am finshing my first novel. I was wondering if i was to get it published how much could i expect to sign for??? I know that it would be small jus wanted to know round about figures 30,000 or 100,000 more or less??

Answer 1

It depends on whether it sells or not. An untested author would be lucky to get any kind of an advance. Once the book starts to sell, you get a percentage of the sales, according to your contract with the publisher.

http://www.publishingcentral.com/storywriting/storywriting_27.html

Answer 2

In most cases, you will "sign" for nothing ... so don't "expect" much. Only major publishers pay advances and then only for major books that they expect to sell. In most cases, all you will recieve is a royalty check quarterly based on sales = less expenses such as printing costs and other fees. You should know that only 5 - 10 percent of authors make a living at writing. I hate to say it but you are setting your sights WAY too high. Likely if you find a publisher at all, it will be a small one who will pay you about 15% of net for the first 5,000 books you sell. That comes to maybe 2 dollars a book - maybe less depending on the cover price of the book. And once your book ends up in the bargain bins, you make NOTHING on sales at all. Sorry to disappoint you, but you need to rethink this. In a world where 150 thousand books are published each year and about 5 times that number are actually submitted to publishers and agents, having a hit novel that makes you the kind of money you are suggesting is akin to winning the lottery. Pax - C.

Answer 3

somewhere between nothing and a million dollars. Depends on the author, the publishing house. YMMV

Answer 4

You are an unknown quantity so they will not give you very much. Many only pay a penny a word.

Remember most authors can not make a living by writing. Only 10% of authors can give up their other job.

Answer 5

Jk Rowling- Millions...Some dude off the street-Change