I spend between four and seven hours a day working on my books. Some of that time is spent writing (fun!), some is promoting, networking, social media-ing, etc. (not as much fun), and some is taken up with personal events such as shows and presentations (fun but exhausting).
When I sell an ebook online, I make around $2. A print book from Amazon gives me around $5. A book sold at an event grosses about $8, but nets less depending on my cost for the event (booth fee, travel, meals) to say nothing of my time.
Though I publish independently at little or no cost, I still have to pay my artist and my editor.
For those of you who think writing makes an author rich, unless you hit the bigtime, those riches are mostly the personal and spiritual kind, not the kind that pay the bills.
So next time you get the urge to buy a book from an independent author, do it! You are making their day!
Okay, so sometimes we get a bit of glam. Here are cat writers Linda L. Graham, Ramona Marek, and me with our limo at an event.
My first time in a limo!
They didn’t stock the bar for us though.
Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more 
So true dear Mollie!
i wish for you to hit the bigtime and receive recognition also in financial abundance 🙂
I’m not complaining. I love what I do.
I know, you were stating a fact and love what you’re doing 🙂
It’s always nice to see an author be honest about their business model and share how it is personally rewarding, not enriching. Here’s to finding ways to support ourselves, by hook or by crook (or claw!) 😀
I love what I get to do, money or no.
Dang, it wasn’t polite to leave the bar empty for your ride!
Maybe next time.
Amen and AMEN! The writer’s life has to be a passion., The humans and the felines in this house love writing.
Purrs & Head Bonks,
The Tribe of Five & The Female Human
Yes!!
All so true! There are at least perks for the resident cats with writing or any other cottage industry, because most days it makes me available 24/7 to attend to their wishes.
Excellent point!
Dad says he always wanted to write and maybe now that he is retired he will try a little. We know you enjoyed that limo!
Tell Dad to go for it! I’m sure he has many stories to tell.