How much does the average author get paid?

[TallMomof2]

I'm definitely buying a Kindle for my Mom for Christmas. She tried mine out and loved it. However, my 71yo Mom is extremely tech savvy and doesn't have a problem figuring out devices and if she can't she'll ask for help.

Why a Kindle and not a Cybook or a Sony eReader? Whispernet convenience and a huge bookstore.

[JSWolf]

LazyScot, I just noticed you have a Sony eReader. Is it a Reader PRS-500 or a Reader PRS-505? Sony has nothing to do with eReader.

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

LazyScot, I just noticed you have a Sony eReader. Is it a Reader PRS-500 or a Reader PRS-505? Sony has nothing to do with eReader.

Thanks for pointing that out, JSWolf.

Its a PRS-500; I've not got a 505; let's see what I think of them on the Saturday...

I always get the eReader and Sony Reader mixed up when typing. As I understand it one is the book format (eReader) and the other the device (Sony Reader). Is that right, or am I more mixed up than I thought

I'll try and take more care in future, though you should keep an eye on me!

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

I always get the eReader and Sony Reader mixed up when typing. As I understand it one is the book format (eReader) and the other the device (Sony Reader). Is that right, or am I more mixed up than I thought

Remember it this way: Sony Reader is what you have. eReader is what Jon will want to pull through your spleen if you say you read e-books ON again!

(That Jon... he's like an eReader Nazi...*)

"You read on eReader, eh? No e-books for you!"

*Kidding, Jon... I'm a kidder... I kid with you... in a kidding-like way...

(...say, did we ever figure out how much the average author gets paid?)

[Patricia]

It's not mere pedantry: Jon's trying to make sure that people don't inadvertently buy books in ereader format when they have a Sony. We've had several new members doing just that.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I know, I know. (That's why I mentioned once or twice that I was kidding.) Trust me, the whole "eReader" thing has gotten my goat, too. I fervently wish eReader would change its name to something that wouldn't confuse it with other products from an entire industry... a name like "Ere," or "eReedie," or "Chet" or something.

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I know, I know. (That's why I mentioned once or twice that I was kidding.) Trust me, the whole "eReader" thing has gotten my goat, too. I fervently wish eReader would change its name to something that wouldn't confuse it with other products from an entire industry... a name like "Ere," or "eReedie," or "Chet" or something.

Hear, hear! (But agree with Patricia and JSWolf that this is something we should be pedantic about. And I hate being pedantic.)

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

(...say, did we ever figure out how much the average author gets paid?)

No. But I think the answer to the actual question is "no" as well.....

[natasharhodes]

I got paid around four thousand pounds (US $6k) for my first Sci Fi book, the novelization of a very popular summer blockbuster movie starring Wesley Snipes back in 2004. In the usual Work-For-Hire method, I was paid 2k on signing and 2k within 30 days of completion.

I wrote four more movie novelizations (turning movies into books) for the same price. Each book took me 2-6 months from the time I received the movie script to the time I handed in the finished manuscript. Although each printing sold out many times over, I never received a penny of royalties because I did not actually 'write' these movie, I just turned the 97-page script into a 400-page book (not hard but definitely time-consuming).

After that I was given my own sci-fi/ fantasy series by the same company, a werewolf/ Vampire series. Unfortunately as I was still considered a 'new' author, my payment for the original series was slashed in half to two thousand pounds per book.

As writing an original novel takes considerably longer than simply turning a script into prose, each book took me just over a year. On average I'd say I put 5-8 hours a day into writing each book (working early mornings, late nights, lunchbreaks and all day most weekends).

That works out at a payment of five pounds ($8) a day for all that work.

I've so far written three books in the series, with a ten percent royalty rate, and have yet to see a penny of royalties. I'm told the series is a 'solid seller' for the company, but as the company does not market my book and I have so little time to promote it with my day job, each book only just 'earns out' the advance I was paid for each book.

Hard reality? Maybe. Enjoyable? Definitely. Will I be quitting my day job any time soon? Unfortunately not.....

[SameOldStory]

Originally Posted by natasharhodes

As writing an original novel takes considerably longer than simply turning a script into prose, each book took me just over a year. On average I'd say I put 5-8 hours a day into writing each book (working early mornings, late nights, lunchbreaks and all day most weekends).

That works out at a payment of five pounds ($8) a day for all that work.

I've so far written three books in the series, with a ten percent royalty rate, and have yet to see a penny of royalties. I'm told the series is a 'solid seller' for the company, but as the company does not market my book and I have so little time to promote it with my day job, each book only just 'earns out' the advance I was paid for each book.

Hard reality? Maybe. Enjoyable? Definitely. Will I be quitting my day job any time soon? Unfortunately not.....

Strange. Looking at your Wiki I would have said that you were starting to take off like a rocket.

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

"You read on eReader, eh?

What's wrong with reading on something like a Kindle (but no, you don't want to sit on software)? At football games in the winter you really do want to sit on something and read while waiting for the game to start.

[Avarwen]

Originally Posted by natasharhodes

I got paid around four thousand pounds (US $6k) for my first Sci Fi book, the novelization of a very popular summer blockbuster movie starring Wesley Snipes back in 2004. In the usual Work-For-Hire method, I was paid 2k on signing and 2k within 30 days of completion.

I wrote four more movie novelizations (turning movies into books) for the same price. Each book took me 2-6 months from the time I received the movie script to the time I handed in the finished manuscript. Although each printing sold out many times over, I never received a penny of royalties because I did not actually 'write' these movie, I just turned the 97-page script into a 400-page book (not hard but definitely time-consuming).

After that I was given my own sci-fi/ fantasy series by the same company, a werewolf/ Vampire series. Unfortunately as I was still considered a 'new' author, my payment for the original series was slashed in half to two thousand pounds per book.

As writing an original novel takes considerably longer than simply turning a script into prose, each book took me just over a year. On average I'd say I put 5-8 hours a day into writing each book (working early mornings, late nights, lunchbreaks and all day most weekends).

That works out at a payment of five pounds ($8) a day for all that work.

I've so far written three books in the series, with a ten percent royalty rate, and have yet to see a penny of royalties. I'm told the series is a 'solid seller' for the company, but as the company does not market my book and I have so little time to promote it with my day job, each book only just 'earns out' the advance I was paid for each book.

Hard reality? Maybe. Enjoyable? Definitely. Will I be quitting my day job any time soon? Unfortunately not.....

Wow they should pay you more you are putting your time into this. I'm just starting writing again and am more than likely going to go the e-book route. I've been looking into writing for years and even worked in a book store and talked to local author's. From what I've seen even if you have a good idea unless you're lucky or damned talented you'll only make chump change. I hope it works out for you and you can make a living of your work.

[neilmarr]

The most I've ever made from a full book was about ten times less than the most I've ever made for a single exclusive news story. What did I give up? Journalism. Figure that out. Best. Neil

[SameOldStory]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

The most I've ever made from a full book was about ten times less than the most I've ever made for a single exclusive news story. What did I give up? Journalism. Figure that out. Best. Neil

Sounds like the old gold miners. Gave up everything in search of a dream. Well, it's better to have a dream than not. And someone has to find that pot of gold within.

[charleski]

This question reminds me of the joke where Rick Castle admits to being a serial killer:
"There are two kinds of folk who sit around and think about how to kill people. Psychopaths and Mystery writers. I'm the kind that pays better."

[L.J. Sellers]

The other reason that writers earn so little is that most spend their own money promoting their books. If they don't, the books won't sell, and publishers will drop the writer. So if you invest your small advances into promotion, which includes traveling to a couple of reader/writer conventions every years, a "day" job is essential to pay the bills. Including writing and promoting time, plus wage-earning time, many writers work 70 a week. (I do, anyway.) But I love my life. The joy of storytelling and having people read my work and respond positively to it, makes it worthwhile.
L.J.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by L.J. Sellers

The other reason that writers earn so little is that most spend their own money promoting their books. If they don't, the books won't sell, and publishers will drop the writer. So if you invest your small advances into promotion, which includes traveling to a couple of reader/writer conventions every years, a "day" job is essential to pay the bills. Including writing and promoting time, plus wage-earning time, many writers work 70 a week. (I do, anyway.) But I love my life. The joy of storytelling and having people read my work and respond positively to it, makes it worthwhile.
L.J.

I find it amazing that a blogger can quit his day job based on the revenue he gets from google ad words... but an author that spends much time on an awesome book has to work full time to do what they love. And they must love it considering the pay.

BOb