Difference between trade author & general author?

Question

Does anyone know the difference between a "trade" author and a general or regular author? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

A 'trade' author can mean a couple of things. (1) A writer who publishes in trade magazines or writes for the "trades" in some other way. (2) Very loose and incorrect meaning is an author who is published in trade paperback, which is larger than mass market paperback, but doesn't sell as well.

My experience is that the writers in the first definition are working for a niche market. They know what they are writing about and often make a place for themselves in that one area. They also get paid more often and some make a living at it.

A general author, by comparison, is not specialized and has no set niche. Competition is fierce and the field is flooded with wannabee authors. Paydays are very rare.