So you’ve decided to write a book. Congrats! Nowadays, it’s quite common for people to write a memoir, a guide or a how-to book. But what does an average person usually get paid to write a book? Let’s take a look.
The Big Bucks: Specialty Publishing, Literary Agents, and New Media.
First off, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend on publishing costs. You can start by looking at the traditional publishing houses, which might ask you for a $10,000 advance plus royalties. Or, you can go the self-publishing route and potentially save $5,000 to $10,000.
But, if you want to be taken seriously as an author, you should probably go with a literary agent. For $20,000 to $40,000 per year, your agent will take care of everything from creating and polishing your pitch to finding a publisher. And best of all, your agent will handle all the heavy lifting of getting your book in print, getting it into stores, and getting you on the right platforms to promote your book.
So, as you can see, there are a few options when it comes to how much you can expect to make from a book. But which route you should take is heavily dependent on your own situation. If you’re just starting out, go with the traditional route and try to save up as much money as you can. But, if you’ve already published a couple of books and are looking to further your career, consider looking into the other options.
The Middle: Traditional vs Self-Publishing
Another important decision you’ll need to make is whether or not to go with a publisher. There are a lot of benefits to having a publisher. You’ll have access to some of the best editors in the industry, who’ll help you to shape and polish your book. You’ll also be able to take advantage of their large networks to get your book in front of more eyes.
On the other hand, if you choose to go with a publisher, you’ll need to consider how much you want to charge for your book. Most publishers will require you to charge a list price, which can range from $15 to $25 for a hardcover, and usually between $5 and $10 for a paperback. If you choose to go with a traditional publisher, you’re limited in what you can charge, as there’s always someone willing to pay that price.
The Growth Industry: E-books And Self-Publishing
Along with the rise of e-books has come the rise of self-publishing. Thanks to platforms like Amazon and iBooks, creating an e-book doesn’t require you to be a tech wiz. With just a few clicks of a button, you can have a professionally-produced e-book in no time. And thanks to the rise of the self-publishing industry, more people are able to write and put their stories out there. Which is fantastic!
If you’re looking for a way to gain more exposure and build your author platform, consider creating and self-publishing an e-book. Or, if you’d rather just make some extra cash, you can always choose the traditional route and try to get an agent or a publisher to take on your work.
The Downside
While there are a lot of upsides to having a book published, there are also a few downsides. First off, it can take a lot of time to get your book into print and even more time to get it on the shelves in stores. So, if you’re looking for a way to make a passive income stream, consider creating a blog that focuses on your area of expertise or choosing a side business that you can take on whenever you have free time.
Now, if you want to be able to look back on your life and be able to remember all the wonderful things that happened, consider getting a traditional publishing deal and using an editor. But if you want to just make some extra cash, consider self-publishing or starting a blog.
So, which one should you choose? That’s a hard question. It all depends on your situation. If you’re just starting out, go with the traditional route. It’ll put you on the right footpath for the publishing industry and get you some great career opportunities down the line. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash, consider self-publishing or starting a blog. It might not be the most glamorous of careers, but it’s a sure-fire way to make some extra cash.
In the meantime, don’t hesitate to explore the different publishing options available to you. From traditional to self-publishing, there are various ways to go about putting your talents to work.