Writing a book might have been on your bucket list for quite some time. Some of the questions on your mind relate to the return on investment a book will have.

You will be investing time to write that book, and you will be investing money to publish and promote it. The question remains, “Will I ever recover all that investment?”

We understand that many aspiring authors grapple with the same burning question. In this article, we’ll provide a realistic overview of an author’s income from the book and the backend of the book.

While writing is undoubtedly a labor of love and a mission of making an impact, it’s also important to ensure that your passion can, at least, be self-funded with the book’s earnings and, even better, create an income stream from the book.

How Do Authors Make Money?

The amount of money you can earn as an author depends on how you publish your book: through traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a hybrid publishing model.

In traditional publishing, you typically sign with a publishing house that handles the publishing process while you receive an advance against future royalties. You don’t bother about any cost related to publishing and marketing the book; your royalties serve as the primary source of income.

On the other hand, self-publishing empowers you to take control of the publishing process. You’ll be responsible for publishing and marketing the book from your resources (time and money), but you will keep a large portion of the sales revenue.

In a hybrid publishing model, you rely on a publishing company’s resources and expertise to publish and market your book. Hybrid publishing often involves financial investment from you but provides access to professional expertise and wider distribution channels.

By understanding the different publishing paths available, you can assess your potential income. So, whatever publishing path you choose, knowing how you’ll make money in each path will help you make a decision that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

How Much Do Authors Make Per Book?

Many factors come into play when determining how much authors can make per book.

The subject matter of the book plays a crucial role. Certain genres and topics tend to have a higher demand and larger readership, which can translate into increased sales and revenue.

Additionally, the effectiveness of marketing efforts will impact the visibility and success of a book.

An author’s experience and reputation within the industry can also influence the demand for a book and its earning potential.

With these factors in mind, let’s explore how much writers typically make per book.

Traditional Publishing

In this model, you often receive an advance against future royalties. This advance is an upfront payment from the publisher and serves as an initial source of income for you. When future book sales and royalties cover the advance royalties paid to you, you will be eligible to receive future royalties ranging between 8% to 15% of the book’s net sales.

In traditional publishing models, you relinquish the book rights to the publisher. This means you don’t have any freedom to generate income from your book in any other format, such as an audiobook or a film.

Although the publisher takes care of marketing, authors still need to be actively involved in the marketing process—leveraging their platform, engaging with readers, and participating in book events to boost their book’s visibility and sales.

Self-Publishing

When self-publishing, authors bear the upfront costs associated with the process.

You can also explore different sales channels, such as online marketplaces, eBook platforms, or even direct sales through your website.

One significant advantage of self-publishing is that you’ll retain the full royalties generated from book sales, ranging from 35% to 70% of the book’s net sales.

With no publisher, you can keep a larger share of the earnings. But it doesn’t mean that it will be easier. You might struggle with distribution and reaching a wide audience compared to other paths.

Hybrid Publishing

As the name suggests, hybrid publishing combines elements of traditional and self-publishing.

In the hybrid publishing model, you’ll work with a publishing company that provides professional services. This often involves your financial investment to cover the publishing and marketing expenses.

Like self-publishing, hybrid publishing allows authors to retain the full royalties generated from book sales, ranging from 35% to 70% of the book’s net sales.

Hybrid publishing offers you professional guidance and support throughout the publishing process. The publisher brings editing, design, and distribution expertise to ensure a high-quality product reaches the market.

By leveraging the publisher’s resources, you can enhance your book’s visibility and increase sales potential. This affects your income per book. 

Understanding how much you can make per book is a complex matter that involves many moving parts. As an author, you must evaluate your goals, preferences, and resources when choosing a publishing path.

How Much Do Authors Make Per Year?

Authors can benefit from their books in different ways. A book can boost an author’s platform, establish expertise, and be a valuable tool for high-ticket offers.

While these benefits contribute largely to an author’s overall income, this section will focus on only the earnings you can expect from your books.

Let’s explore the average income you can expect from your books through different publishing routes:

Traditional Publishing

On average, traditionally published authors can earn between $5,000 and $20,000 per year. Factors such as book sales, the size of the advance, royalty rates, and an author’s reputation within the industry all contribute to the overall income of a book or series of books. For debut authors or those with moderate sales, it’s normal to be on the lower end of the spectrum.

As authors gain popularity and their books become more successful, their annual income can increase significantly. Established authors with a loyal readership and consistent book sales can earn six-figure or even seven-figure incomes per year.

Self-Publishing

Self-published authors can keep a larger percentage of the book’s revenue than traditionally published authors, but they will sell fewer books overall. On average, self-published authors earn between $1,000 and $50,000 annually, which varies based on effective marketing, audience engagement, and book quality.

Successful self-published authors often invest significant time and effort in building a strong author platform, engaging with their readers, and implementing effective marketing strategies.

By leveraging these techniques, self-published authors can maximize their book sales and increase their annual income.

It’s worth mentioning that some self-published authors have achieved remarkable success, earning six-figure or even seven-figure incomes per year.

But it’s also important to recognize that these success stories are not guaranteed for every self-published author.

It requires dedication, perseverance, and a solid understanding of the publishing landscape.

Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing combines the advantages of both traditional and self-publishing. It offers a partnership with a publishing company while retaining creative and financial control.

Like the self-publishing path, you will retain the largest portion of the book’s net sales; however, relying on the publisher’s expertise in publishing and marketing your book, your overall audience reach and book sales tend to be higher than self-publishing.

On average, authors in hybrid publishing can earn between $10,000 and $65,000 per year. 

By collaborating with professionals in the industry, you can enhance the quality of your books, increase your visibility, and boost your annual income.

It’s important to note that the income figures mentioned are averages, and individual results can vary. 

Numerous factors influence an author’s earnings, including book sales, marketing strategies, genre, target audience, and overall demand.

You must also consider the costs involved in the publishing process, such as editing, cover design, and marketing expenses, as these can impact your net income.

The choice of publishing path should be based on a combination of your financial considerations, personal preferences, and career goals.

While traditional publishing offers the backing of established publishers, self-publishing provides creative control, and hybrid publishing combines elements of both. You should carefully evaluate your options and weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

Your Path to Author Success Begins Here

The amount of money you can make as an author depends on your publishing path.

Traditional publishing offers the support of established publishers, but it often comes with a trade-off in revenue sharing. Self-publishing, on the other hand, provides more control, but success relies heavily on effective marketing and audience engagement.

Hybrid publishing strikes a balance between the two, offering collaboration with a publishing company while allowing for greater financial control.

By choosing our services, you retain 100% of the revenue generated from your book sales, ensuring that your hard work translates into direct financial rewards.