WritingHow Much Money Writers Really Make
Most readers and young or first-time authors believe that writing a book equals money and a key to the sweet life.
Yeah ... no.
Here's a look at what authors really make from an industry insider.
Paul Bogaards is the director of media relations at A.A. Knopf, a division of Random House. Had no clue who he was until yesterday morning, when I started to see several of his tweets retweeted by other writers and publishing professionals I follow. He went on a lengthy ramble about pricing and authors and how underpaid authors are.
Oh, don't get me wrong. There is always value in an author's work. But value and money are often vastly different rewards.
I decided it was worth sharing here. I found it strangely comforting, but maybe in a weird way—I always find out what the norm is so I can try to get better than it. Sometimes it even works. But even if it doesn't, at least you, if you're like me, know that you're not a failure if you are working for minimum wage or less with no benefits.
Anyway, here are Bogaards’ tweets, assembled chronologically in blog post form.
He is @paulbogaards on Twitter.
And you know this whole schpeel is a total win at the end, because he totally drops a Jimmer reference in there. My kind of guy, this Paul Brogaards.
Enjoy.
Guys, I’m not giving away any state secrets here. These are industry observations, and many will be obvious to you.
Authors are underpaid. Their contributions undervalued. And, when the conversation turns to pricing, their livelihood is being undermined.
In the conversation about pricing and authors it is best to forget about agents and publishers, at least for the moment.
It doesn’t matter if an author goes big six, small press, self, aligns themselves to a retailer, or hands out pamphlets on the street.
Whatever route an author chooses to reach the reader they are not being paid enough for the work they do. Period.
I’ve met a fair number of authors. Many of them question why they do what they do because making a living at it is so hard to do.
Production cost is not the issue. Instead, let us consider the creative discipline that comes with being a professional author.
Being a professional author requires stamina, fortitude, and grit. And, these days, a wealthy patron.
An author cannot outsource their brain or reduce their work to an algorithm. Their work does not begin or end at the keyboard. Or, in the case of Sidney Sheldon, with a dictationist. (Sidney dictated his novels.)
“Writing hurts my hand,” Sidney would say to me. “It’s much easier sitting down with a beautiful woman.” What a mensch he was! He used to bang Barbara Eden, by the way. Suggested as much over drinks at the Ritz in Chicago. “I Dream of F***ing Jeannie!” Sid was the man!
The work of an author is 24/7. Thinking all the time. Often blocked. Cranky beyond measure most of their lives. Authors spend months, year, and decades writing their books. DECADES! When was the last time you spent a decade working on something?
And now, of course, they can’t simply focus on their writing. They have to think about “engaging with readers” on multiple “platforms.”
Authors operate without safety nets. There is no funded child care or health care or 401K. Most have not been raised by Tiger Mothers.
We are used to reading about authors earning six and seven figure advances, but the great majorities earn and exist on far, far less. The great majority of authors probably earn minimum wage. If that. Indeed, I’m guessing many operate at a loss. And yet they wake and work every day because it is their job and they love doing it. How should we value their contributions?
I think about it this way: we can never place enough emphasis on the role authors play in our lives. An author’s work is nourishing. It has enduring value. It is not “one and done.” It is not “disposable.”
Of course there is some crap out there, too. But crap has its place in the food chain as well. Always will. This is America, after all.
And what about the tireless advocacy of booksellers and librarians, people physically engaged in the promotion of an author’s work? We can never place enough emphasis on their contributions, either.
Some say booksellers will disappear in my lifetime. We may be a few cents richer if this should happen, but our lives will be poorer.
I don’t know what the “right price” is for a book. I only know that I’m willing to pay more for a book than others might because I place a premium on the work authors do.
When you reflect on the value of a book, and what you might be willing to pay, consider, for a moment, the livelihood of authors. OK?
All you penny-pinchingpantistas, never lose sight of the creative professionals who have chosen to make an author their life’s work. And that appliesto all writers (and paywalls). Why should it be a race to the bottom when America has always stood for the top?
And now to change the subject entirely: how about that JIMMER F***ING FREDETTE? The best thing to happen to Glens Falls since Lorrie Moore!
Thanks to Paul for permission to republish these in this format.
So, now that you know that most of your favorite authors are probably starving because you're cheaping out on buying their books, which book will you go buy right now? Let us know in the comments.
(pic via)
Reader Comments (2)
(I have a suggestion: http://bit.ly/cyuTJg)
I don't like this sentence:
"Cranky beyond measure most of their lives."