Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemurion
Self-publishing is hard. It can be very successful, but the numbers are clear and the chances aren't better than with commercial publishing. The big advantage is that because authors make more money per book sold, there's a lower barrier to success. Making some money is relatively easy, making a lot is incredibly difficult.
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So I agree with this. I pick some nits with the rest of your post, but this is right. The hard truth is that...
Some Indies are killing it - making 6 figures a year off their books. I know this first hand from multiple authors.
Some Indies are doing okay making a livable wage at it. I know this first hand from multiple authors.
Some Indies are making a good hobby salary off it (4 figures). I know this first hand from multiple authors.
BUT - and we must not forget this - the vast majority of books DO NO SELL. For example - the top 1,000 best selling indie books according to a Smashwords 2013 survey (limited to their own books/channels) make up 50% of the sales. It is a long tail market.
An inde can make it. That is a proven fact. BUT that does not free you from having to produce a quality book that people actually want to read - AND doing all the marketing, promotion, fan interaction, etc - yourself. It is a lot more work than the traditional route. In exchange you are your own boss, and make 60-70% royalties.