If you think it’s impolite to talk about finances, skip this post!
Every year for the past few years, I’ve shared my income breakdown on this blog. It’s so hard for writers to figure out if they can earn a living through their writing and related activities, largely because there’s little info out there. So I share every year, sometimes with pride, other times (cough, cough) with dismay and more than a little embarrassment. I know income does not directly correlate, necessarily, with skill, passion, or a job well done. The people in some of the professions I most admire make very little money. Still, as a small business person…ack. Anyway, here’s my 2011 edition:
Keep in mind, this is only gross income. (And for 2011, gross really applies.) This doesn’t include any of my own expenses–travel, promotion, office supplies, etc.–nor the taxes I have to pay.
2011 was a bad year, financially. My worst in a long time. Sigh. The rough economy and my huge time commitment to doing a year of drum corps combined to squash my income like a bug. So be warned. And here goes:
Web Work: I maintain and update webpages through the Children’s Literature Network. In 2011, this accounted for $1,545 of my income. This is not a big chunk of income, obviously, but I like keeping my hand in with this fantastic organization.
Trade Book Sales: Another year without a trade book sale. Ugh. I did get the second half of my BookSpeak! advance, plus $450 for a couple of poems in a Georgia Heard anthology–yay! (And I have made a trade sale for a follow-up to Leaf Can Be… in 2012.) So that came out to a total of $2,150.
Work-for-Hire Books: $5,768. This is only about half of 2010’s amount.That included the second half of payment for two Picture Window books about emotions, three really fun monster-related e-books (can’t wait to see them!) with Jackson Fish, and one easy e-reader. This also includes some copyediting I did for a book packager and the kill fee for a work-for-hire fiction middle-school book that was accepted by the editors but then killed by the project manager. Not a stellar year.
Assessment: $1,200. This was a mixture of nonfiction and poetry, mostly poetry, sold to assessment companies for use in their standardized tests. The poems usually have to be fairly lengthy and detailed, so that they can support a dozen or so multiple-choice questions. A lot of times I’ll use an existing poem and then make it longer and edit it in other ways to make it usable in a testing situation. It’s always a challenge, but interesting to do.
Teaching/Speaking: $2,500. I really enjoyed this work in 2011. This income came from two events: the Redbery Writer’s Retreat I co-led with Lisa Bullard in Wisconsin and the first half payment for the Shabo Mentorship I was the mentor for for The Loft. Both were great experiences, and I connected with many terrific writers!
School Visits: $2,067. The other half came from 5 or 6 days’ worth of Young Author’s Conferences and school visits (of course, the prep time was lots more than that). I’m re-vamping my school visit presentations and also hoping to get into Skype visits shortly.
Marketing Consultant: $2,670. This was the tail end of a short-term project that I took on for 2010. I put aside other income streams like online classes to take on this project, which was interesting and paid well. It wrapped up in the first couple of months of 2011, and I’m still trying to figure out how to?balance my income streams.
Addendum: Mentors for Rent: $1,200. I somehow deleted this entry earlier! Mentors for Rent (new website coming soon) is a small business I run with Lisa Bullard, where we mentor kids’/ya writers for an hourly rate. We started out very slow and small, but we’re getting great feedback. We’re hoping to really grow this business this year!
That’s a total of about $19,100. Only a bit more than 1/3 of my 2010 income ($53,600). Ouch. I could make more money working at Target. But could I do that full-time and let go of my writing? No way.
So, those were my fairly pathetic income numbers in 2011. This year, I’m really focusing on getting my income back into shape. We’ll see if it pays off.
I hope you’ve supported yourself doing something you love, too! Or, if you weren’t able to support yourself at it (like I couldn’t have this year), I hope it at least kept you in cute shoes and caramel brownies.
Here’s to cute shoes and caramel brownies, an occasional massage, and a plane ticket to see the grandkids! Thanks for sharing this, Laura.
Yep, have to figure out a way to celebrate even small earnings. Though I still have to increase those earnings…
Here’s to cute shoes and caramel brownies, an occasional massage, and a plane ticket to see the grandkids! Thanks for sharing this, Laura.
Yep, have to figure out a way to celebrate even small earnings. Though I still have to increase those earnings…
Thanks, Laura! Very helpful.
Sure thing, Diana!
Thanks, Laura! Very helpful.
Sure thing, Diana!
You did better this year than I did! Better last year, too. Writing children’s books is not for the economic faint of heart. Half my income used to be school visits and other speaking engagements, but a lot of those have dried up re: the economy. Plus, living in CA, there’s stiff competition when it comes to authors! But of course, we write because we love it, right? 🙂
So true, Lee, about not for the economic faint of heart. I hope Won Ton sells superbly for you! I do write because I love it, but I have to earn a better income than I did this past year at it. I don’t expect to get rich, but I have bills to pay. Always so hard to decide what to do. I know there are more authors in CA, but Minnesota is also very author-rich (in quantity, not in pay!). It’s lovely most of the time, but it also means tons of competition for school visits, etc.
But we soldier on:>)
You did better this year than I did! Better last year, too. Writing children’s books is not for the economic faint of heart. Half my income used to be school visits and other speaking engagements, but a lot of those have dried up re: the economy. Plus, living in CA, there’s stiff competition when it comes to authors! But of course, we write because we love it, right? 🙂
So true, Lee, about not for the economic faint of heart. I hope Won Ton sells superbly for you! I do write because I love it, but I have to earn a better income than I did this past year at it. I don’t expect to get rich, but I have bills to pay. Always so hard to decide what to do. I know there are more authors in CA, but Minnesota is also very author-rich (in quantity, not in pay!). It’s lovely most of the time, but it also means tons of competition for school visits, etc.
But we soldier on:>)
Laura, I so appreciate these posts. You always amaze me with your ability to mutli-project-task through the year. The economy is tough right now, and I think there’s fall-out from how long it’s been bad, too. I can tell you that, here in the Silicon Valley, it’s starting to turn around–not there yet, but I think coming up from the bottom. Hopefully that will start to spread through other states and other industries soon!
So happy to hear of the upswing! Meanwhile, hoping for the best and scrambling ever more frantically:>/
Laura, I so appreciate these posts. You always amaze me with your ability to mutli-project-task through the year. The economy is tough right now, and I think there’s fall-out from how long it’s been bad, too. I can tell you that, here in the Silicon Valley, it’s starting to turn around–not there yet, but I think coming up from the bottom. Hopefully that will start to spread through other states and other industries soon!
So happy to hear of the upswing! Meanwhile, hoping for the best and scrambling ever more frantically:>/
As always, thank you for sharing this info, Laura. I filed a loss last year and will do the same this year. It’s rather depressing if I let myself think about it for long.
Maybe 2012 will be our year!
As always, thank you for sharing this info, Laura. I filed a loss last year and will do the same this year. It’s rather depressing if I let myself think about it for long.
Maybe 2012 will be our year!
Wow, this is extremely valuable (if totally depressing) information, Laura. Thanks so much for so generously sharing with us! Here’s a question for you: Are you including royalties for past books in the Trade Book Sales section (or perhaps hoping for royalties for past books is a pipe dream these days, too)? And one more, trickier one: Do you think any of these activities are directly dependent on any others, or could you completely stop doing any of them without really impacting the numbers anywhere else (i.e. Are there any relationships here, or is each category pretty much a stand-alone)? Thanks!!
Well, I only have one royalty book (Stampede) old enough to be getting royalties from, and it hasn’t earned out its meager advance. We’ll see how BookSpeak and Leaf Can Be… do. Crossing fingers!
Good question. They are mostly interdependent. My school visits depend on volume of books. My trade books aren’t income-producing for me in any steady way at this point, so I have to do the wfh work to earn money. The Mentors for Rent business depends on my steady publishing record to retain credibility. Etc., etc. So even though I would truly like to streamline things, I can’t get enough volume going on any of the smaller income streams to be able to discontinue a couple and get a bit more focus. Hope that answers your question somewhat!
Thanks, Laura! Yes, that’s exactly what I was asking and very helpful.
I’ve heard such wonderful things about A Leaf Can Be… It looks likes it’s poised to make a huge breakout this year! Fingers crossed for you. 🙂
Oh good–happy to help! Thanks for the nice words about Leaf. We’ll see. It never pays to hope too much, I don’t think, so I just promote the best I can and move on to the next project. But of course I would LOVE to have a breakout book. Maybe someday!
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Wow, this is extremely valuable (if totally depressing) information, Laura. Thanks so much for so generously sharing with us! Here’s a question for you: Are you including royalties for past books in the Trade Book Sales section (or perhaps hoping for royalties for past books is a pipe dream these days, too)? And one more, trickier one: Do you think any of these activities are directly dependent on any others, or could you completely stop doing any of them without really impacting the numbers anywhere else (i.e. Are there any relationships here, or is each category pretty much a stand-alone)? Thanks!!
Well, I only have one royalty book (Stampede) old enough to be getting royalties from, and it hasn’t earned out its meager advance. We’ll see how BookSpeak and Leaf Can Be… do. Crossing fingers!
Good question. They are mostly interdependent. My school visits depend on volume of books. My trade books aren’t income-producing for me in any steady way at this point, so I have to do the wfh work to earn money. The Mentors for Rent business depends on my steady publishing record to retain credibility. Etc., etc. So even though I would truly like to streamline things, I can’t get enough volume going on any of the smaller income streams to be able to discontinue a couple and get a bit more focus. Hope that answers your question somewhat!
Thanks, Laura! Yes, that’s exactly what I was asking and very helpful.
I’ve heard such wonderful things about A Leaf Can Be… It looks likes it’s poised to make a huge breakout this year! Fingers crossed for you. 🙂
Oh good–happy to help! Thanks for the nice words about Leaf. We’ll see. It never pays to hope too much, I don’t think, so I just promote the best I can and move on to the next project. But of course I would LOVE to have a breakout book. Maybe someday!
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Great information, Laura!
Great information, Laura!
I was going to add that today I did a free Skype visit to a group of second graders. Their teacher said something like, “Maybe some of you will grow up to be writers.” One child piped up: “And make lots of money!” The teacher wisely told the children that writers don’t always make a lot of money. They do it because they love to do it.
(I talked to someone the other day who was surprised that all of my school visits are not free. Wow.)
Thanks, Scotti. I did a free Skype this morning, too, for WRAD! It was my first Skype reading, though I use Skype for business stuff other than that. I’d like to get in to school visits with it. One of my goals for this year. Nice that the teacher recognized writers don’t make scads of money. Two underpaid professionals mutually respecting each other:>)
I was going to add that today I did a free Skype visit to a group of second graders. Their teacher said something like, “Maybe some of you will grow up to be writers.” One child piped up: “And make lots of money!” The teacher wisely told the children that writers don’t always make a lot of money. They do it because they love to do it.
(I talked to someone the other day who was surprised that all of my school visits are not free. Wow.)
Thanks, Scotti. I did a free Skype this morning, too, for WRAD! It was my first Skype reading, though I use Skype for business stuff other than that. I’d like to get in to school visits with it. One of my goals for this year. Nice that the teacher recognized writers don’t make scads of money. Two underpaid professionals mutually respecting each other:>)
Laura, I really appreciate you sharing this information. It really confirms I am doing what I do because I love writing and it keeps my life balanced!
Yeah, I keep *trying* to make a living at it, and some years I do. But that’s from a lot of things related to writing, not mostly the writing. Thank goodness we do it also for love or we’d just go crazy.
Laura, I really appreciate you sharing this information. It really confirms I am doing what I do because I love writing and it keeps my life balanced!
Yeah, I keep *trying* to make a living at it, and some years I do. But that’s from a lot of things related to writing, not mostly the writing. Thank goodness we do it also for love or we’d just go crazy.
Thank yoiu for sharing Laura!
You’re welcome:>)
Thank yoiu for sharing Laura!
You’re welcome:>)
Very interesting and brave for sharing. I’m amazed at the many projects you squeeze in. I have 12 books and related projects out there, all with small publishers, and I couldn’t buy groceries with my royalties. Still, 3 books have been used in classrooms for over 30+-years and 1 with 3 related products which I self-published have been used on a classrooms for over 20-years, so on a cumulative basis there has been money. That plus school visit income and a very understanding, supportive husband, has allowed me to pursue my passion to write. BTW-the 30+-year run wouldn’t have been possible from a big company unless I’d created a classic.
Thanks for sharing, Sandra. Yeah, one book with legs can really make a difference to a career. Since 98% of my books, literally, are work for hire, and since 2 of my 3 royalty books are brand new, I receive no royalties yet. I’m hoping someday. Congratulations on the long runs your books have had–that’s awesome!
Very interesting and brave for sharing. I’m amazed at the many projects you squeeze in. I have 12 books and related projects out there, all with small publishers, and I couldn’t buy groceries with my royalties. Still, 3 books have been used in classrooms for over 30+-years and 1 with 3 related products which I self-published have been used on a classrooms for over 20-years, so on a cumulative basis there has been money. That plus school visit income and a very understanding, supportive husband, has allowed me to pursue my passion to write. BTW-the 30+-year run wouldn’t have been possible from a big company unless I’d created a classic.
Thanks for sharing, Sandra. Yeah, one book with legs can really make a difference to a career. Since 98% of my books, literally, are work for hire, and since 2 of my 3 royalty books are brand new, I receive no royalties yet. I’m hoping someday. Congratulations on the long runs your books have had–that’s awesome!
Hi, Laura. Thanks so much for sharing this information. I’ve been wondering what to expect, should I ever officially break into the book market and start doing author visits, etc. I really really appreciate your post. So nice of you!!
Yeah, it’s always a crap shoot, frankly. But once you feel like you have no choice but to do it, then you just have to figure out how to make it work. I didn’t do a good enough job of that last year, clearly!
Hi, Laura. Thanks so much for sharing this information. I’ve been wondering what to expect, should I ever officially break into the book market and start doing author visits, etc. I really really appreciate your post. So nice of you!!
Yeah, it’s always a crap shoot, frankly. But once you feel like you have no choice but to do it, then you just have to figure out how to make it work. I didn’t do a good enough job of that last year, clearly!
I’m pretty sure we’re writing because we “have” to – because I sure ain’t rackin’ up the dough. I agree, Laura, we could earn more working at Target. Or shoveling snow for the neighbors. But still, it would be nice to be able to pay some of the bills…
Yeah, you’re right. I did work at Target over the holidays because my income was so bad last year. I just don’t know how people do it all year. I mean, it was fine. But I wanted to be writing! I would keep at post-it note at my register and jot down ideas and phrases and overheard conversations…
I’m pretty sure we’re writing because we “have” to – because I sure ain’t rackin’ up the dough. I agree, Laura, we could earn more working at Target. Or shoveling snow for the neighbors. But still, it would be nice to be able to pay some of the bills…
Yeah, you’re right. I did work at Target over the holidays because my income was so bad last year. I just don’t know how people do it all year. I mean, it was fine. But I wanted to be writing! I would keep at post-it note at my register and jot down ideas and phrases and overheard conversations…
Laura –
I found this post via the NFforKids listserve. I appreciate all your input there, and now here as well. I have 2 trade books out now, and 2 more debuting this year. I have been fortunate that the first two both earned out their advances in the first 12 months (or does that tell you how small the advances were?) and I look forward to the twice yearly checks. Of course, that money is usually budgeted for required expenses long before it comes in…but still.
FYI – I was so thrilled when I started reading “A Leaf Can Be” – and picked it up to use in the storytimes I present around the county as part of my part time job.
Wow, Cindy–that is awesome! My advances have been small, too. But that’s OK. I just wish they would earn out:>)
And thank you so much for the kind words about LEAF. I’m thrilled that you share it during storytimes!
Laura –
I found this post via the NFforKids listserve. I appreciate all your input there, and now here as well. I have 2 trade books out now, and 2 more debuting this year. I have been fortunate that the first two both earned out their advances in the first 12 months (or does that tell you how small the advances were?) and I look forward to the twice yearly checks. Of course, that money is usually budgeted for required expenses long before it comes in…but still.
FYI – I was so thrilled when I started reading “A Leaf Can Be” – and picked it up to use in the storytimes I present around the county as part of my part time job.
Wow, Cindy–that is awesome! My advances have been small, too. But that’s OK. I just wish they would earn out:>)
And thank you so much for the kind words about LEAF. I’m thrilled that you share it during storytimes!
Thank you for openly sharing this information, Laura! It is truly helpful to see the breakdown of other authors’ income.
You’re welcome:>) Glad it was useful!
Thank you for openly sharing this information, Laura! It is truly helpful to see the breakdown of other authors’ income.
You’re welcome:>) Glad it was useful!