Most people think that being a writer is an easy way to make money. However, the truth is that writing can be quite the lucrative endeavour. If you know where to look, you can easily find freelance writing jobs that pay well. Even for experienced writers, the income can be fairly decent. Thus, it is no wonder that so many people are interested in trying their hand at writing. To land a well-paying job as a freelance writer, you will need to be able to articulate ideas clearly and elegantly. Moreover, you should be able to meet the customer’s deadlines without any problems. Luckily for you, we are here to help with some information on how much people are actually paid to write a book.
The Median Salary for a Book Editor
When thinking about becoming a book editor, it is important to note that this is a fairly lucrative career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a book editor is $64,800. Moreover, the number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 26% between 2016 and 2026.
To get an idea of how much someone in this field is paid, let’s take a look at some of the highest paying book editing jobs. According to the editors at The Balance, an independent resource for payroll and HR professionals, the annual salary for:
- a contract editor
- a senior contract editor
- a managing editor
- an assistant managing editor
- a lead editor
- a senior lead editor
- a line editor
- an assistant line editor
- a legal editor
- a senior legal editor
- a copy editor
- a senior copy editor
- an indexer
- a senior indexer
- a proofreader
- a senior proofreader
- a line producer
- a senior line producer
Depending on the size of the company, the position you apply for, and how experienced you are, the salary can vary. However, the range is typically between $60,000 and $80,000 per year. If you want to make sure you are getting paid what you are worth, it is advisable to ask for a raise at the beginning of the year.
The Most Common Job Titles for a Freelance Writer
If you are looking for a career as a freelance writer, it is important to know what are the most common job titles. According to the experts at FlexJobs, a job search engine specialising in remote jobs, the most common titles for a freelance writer are as follows:
- content creator
- writer
- blogger
- copywriter
- editor
- proofreader
- indexer
- producer
- translator
- thesaurus developer
- dictionary maker
- technical writer
- virtual assistant
- marketing consultant
- executive assistant
- payroll clerk
- receptionist
- security guard
- janitor
If you are looking for a new career, working as a freelance writer is a great option. You get to work remotely, set your own hours, and get paid accordingly. Moreover, you can choose the projects you want to work on. Since remote jobs are becoming increasingly in demand, as we mentioned above, there are a wide range of jobs available. Keep in mind though that not all remote jobs are created equal. Make sure to apply to reputable companies that value quality over quantity.
The Future of Book Publishing
As we mentioned above, the number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 26% between 2016 and 2026. Why? Well, as more and more people turn to online marketplaces for their daily reading, book publishing is seeing a huge surge in interest. According to the publishing industry experts at Wordstream, a digital news and communications company, here are some of the reasons:
- millennials are now the largest audience segment in terms of digital reading.
- 80% of millennials read news online via a mobile device.
- the average American spends 4 hours and 35 minutes each day playing video games.
- e-books are now the fastest growing segment of the industry.
- traditional book stores are struggling to find their place in the age of retail arbitrage.
- the demand for good quality content is at an all-time high.
As content becomes more accessible online, people are looking for ways to monetise their talents. For this reason, many traditional book publishers have become publishers-in-homes, seeking to exploit the freelance writers out there. If you are a talented writer looking for ways to monetise your skills, consider trying your hand at publishing. You will not only be able to make a decent living, but you will also get to explore a new side of writing you may not have tried out before.
Book Publishing as a Career
If you are looking for a steady flow of income, working as a book publisher may be the right fit. According to the publishers at The Balance, the average salary for a book publisher is between $64,800 and $117,000 per year. Moreover, the job title can vary from case to case, but typically includes tasks such as editing, marketing, and sales.
The good news is that since many book publishers become their own company or join existing corporations, the chances of finding work are quite high. Even if you don’t initially get a chance to work for a large publishing house, you can still find freelance work to do. Many firms sell the rights to their books for royalties, allowing independent literary agents and self-publishing authors to take advantage of this.
Thus, if you are looking for a steady job in an industry that is predicted to grow, consider working as a book publisher. Moreover, since you will be doing some of the work yourself, you can gauge how much you are actually earning. In the long run, self-publishing is becoming more appealing to authors due to the ease of setting up a business and attracting potential customers. Nevertheless, the success of a self-publishing author rests largely on the strength of their own talent. If you have a good story and can convey it well, you have a fighting chance at becoming a self-publishing success.
Where Can I Find More Information On Book Publishing?
If you want to get a better sense of what is entailed in the job of book publishing, as well as for more information on the subject, you can consult the following resources:
- Wikipedia article on book publishing
- The Balance – Find Your Dream Job
- FlexJobs – Find Remote Jobs
- The Guardian – News articles on book publishing
- WordStream – News articles on book publishing
- HubSpot Blog – News articles on book publishing
In addition to the resources available online, you can contact the following organisations for more information: