Is anyone doing this? I'm not talking about earning the big money, but enough to not have a 9-5 job and be comfortable.

Posted: 07/02/2012 19:31:47

I was once told by an agent that 75% of published writers earn less than the minimum wage purely from their writing. All those writers need other sources of income to keep the wolf from the door.

The flipside of that is that 25% earn more than the minimum wage from their writing.

Posted: 07/02/2012 19:36:05

Average wage from novel writing is £5000. I know a Cambridge law professor with 5 books published who earns less than that from her writing, and as far as publishers are concerned you're only as good as your last sales figures. You'd need to publish two books a year to make a decent amount of money - most authors take 2 years to write the next novel.

Most (if they don't have a non-writing job) have other 'writerly' jobs like mentoring, creative writing tutors, running workshops for Arvon &/or Faber Academy, writing newspaper/magazine articles, judging literary prizes, writing editorial reports for some of the literary consultancies, etc.

Posted: 07/02/2012 19:43:56
Last Edit: 07/02/2012 20:50:39 by NMott

Seems like it's all or nothing then!

Posted: 07/02/2012 20:04:08

Here's another thing, too. I once took a university class from a renowned writer whose publisher just suddenly dropped him after several decades of working together. The market had changed, and he didn't fit in with their line any longer.

Posted: 07/02/2012 20:07:09

I make a living from just my books.

However, that is subject to change. I've got enough to survive about five years. If I can't continue this level of income, I'll probably have to go back to teaching. haha

Posted: 08/02/2012 00:04:59

Here's another thing, too. I once took a university class from a renowned writer whose publisher just suddenly dropped him after several decades of working together. The market had changed, and he didn't fit in with their line any longer.

Writers need to hit the market at the right time with the right material. My uncle died a millionaire from writing I think it was 19 best sellers about wartime London. He was branded the King of Cockney saga.

So it is possible. His motto was - Never give up. He was rejected many times before Headline, a relatively new publisher at the time took him on.

Posted: 08/02/2012 00:17:17

I write, edit and format full-time, but I also have to live on 11p noodles from Tesco.

I have one more packet to last until next Monday

Posted: 08/02/2012 00:21:52

Might as well come to mine for Sunday roast. Everyone else does.

Posted: 08/02/2012 00:24:35