Get paid to write porn. It’s a dream for many authors, and it’s one that’s finally become a reality for one author in particular. After years of struggling to find a way to make money through her writing, one erotic novel at a time, Alice Jay became the first professional writer to be financially rewarded for writing explicit content when she was contacted by a prominent adult film company. She then went on to write for several other companies, eventually penning over 40 novels and novellas before passing away in October 2018, but her legacy lives on as her family continues to grow the Alice Jay Foundation.
While it’s certainly exciting that Alice’s dream came true, it’s also worth considering why it took so long for this to happen. Publishing an erotica or sexual fantasy novel in the ’70s was considered scandalous enough that, even now, many people aren’t quite sure what to make of it. But now, to write and publish an erotic novel is something that anyone can do. And as the stigma related to adult content has diminished, so has the market for it. Thanks to the efforts of prominent figures like Alice Jay, who fought tirelessly for decades to see her vision come to life, and to the ever-growing community of writers who came before her and paved the way.
Why Become a Professional Writer?
As a writer, you’ll find there’s plenty of opportunity to make professional money online. Thanks to the rise of E-publishing, anyone with a computer and an internet connection can now publish a book without needing to go through a traditional publisher. Even better, you can do this whilst working remotely. And if traditional publication isn’t your thing, you can self-publish and distribute your work digitally, which can lead to even greater exposure and potentially bigger earnings. For those looking for inspiration, the world of literature is a rich mine where you can search for themes, plot ideas, or even titles to gain inspiration for your next book.
With so much opportunity to make money online, it’s no wonder why so many people are choosing to become a professional writer. You’ll find a wide variety of work, including guest blogging, copy-writing, and proofreading, amongst others, and the digital nomad lifestyle has certainly benefitted the industry as a whole. Whilst there are certainly plenty of advantages to writing as a career, it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for a stable source of income, consider other options.
How to Earn Cash as a Writer
If writing is something that you can do on a full-time basis, and you’ve got a portfolio of previously published work, then the obvious place to make money is through freelance writing. Plenty of online marketplaces like Fiverr, Amazon Mechanical Turk, and Upwork, amongst others, offer opportunities to earn money as a freelance writer. And for those who prefer to keep their earnings in cash, the industry offers lucrative opportunities to scuba dive, travel, or simply take a vacation with your paycheque. Maybe even buy a new car or take a nice vacation with your loved one’s family.
If you’re looking for a way to make money quickly and easily, then consider looking for opportunities to become a content creator for online platforms. For instance, if you can write news articles for a popular website, you can earn up to $500 per month, plus additional revenue from advertisers. Alternatively, if you can write a few decent-length blog posts each week, you can make up to $2000 per month. And if you’re really short on cash, you can always look for local newspapers and rewrite their press releases or do some fact checking for a prominent media organisation.
No matter what niche you choose, you’ll find plenty of work if you’re able to pull in some impressive samples. The trick is to ensure you remain impartial and avoid conflicts of interest, making sure your work is placed in the most suitable venue possible. For instance, if you’re writing for a popular website, then make sure you tag and credit the source appropriately. When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or professional adviser for guidance. They’ll be able to tell you if and when you enter into a conflict of interest by writing about a certain brand or product (e.g., airlines, hotels, or financial services).
Whichever route you choose, as a writer you’ll need to remember that your first source of income is usually your publisher. In most cases, your publisher will take a sizable cut of your earnings (often 50%) so be sure to negotiate a better deal if you decide to go this route. And don’t be afraid to ask for more flexibility with your work schedule. After all, you might very well have a full-time job and a family to support. What’s more, if you’re serious about writing as a career, then now might be the best time to do so.