It's an odd phenomenon, but when a writer tells their non-writing friends and relatives they've sold a book, there seems to be this mystical assumption the writer must now be rolling in it. Ha ha, wouldn't that be nice!!!
To put it all into perspective Lynn Viehl, New York Times bestseller of Twilight Fall has just posted up her most recent royalty statement. It's a real eye-opener and if you have a moment it's well worth reading Lynn's blog post on the subject.
OK, back to the day dreams for me!
12 comments:
It's funny how people think that, isn't it? I love Lyn's paperback writer blog. She always gives such great advice.
Very Interesting,
I think years ago they did make a little more than that from good novels.
It's like an actor who never really admits to what they earn and when asked they say they don't make much.
It's like a singer, when asked, 'no I don't make anywhere near that'
I wonder how much Nora Roberts makes. lol lol :)
Me...:)
Very informative and eye-opening post! Thanks for sharing, Christina. :)
Thanks for the link, Chrisina!
Thanks, Christina. I remember reading the first part of it.
It is amazing to me how those who don't write think you are now rich if you've pubbed anything.
Thanks for the link to Lyn. Interestin for sure.
I'm always flummoxed when people think that way. Haven't they ever heard the term "struggling artist"?
Writers are no different to other artists, whether they be painters, sculptors or musicians. Some will spend their lives plodding along barely making anything, while others will hit the bigtime. Some will find stardom after they're dead which, let's face it, is too bloody late!
So I don't know why you'd automatically think someone's rolling in it in after selling.
It is strange that people do think novelists earn great chunks of money, unless they are someone like JK Rowlings. lol Or some other best best seller.
PS sorry for the typos!
Christina. This is so interesting. Thank you to that author, who it is worth bearing in mind is a Best Seller... imagine how most authors manage, by comparison.
It's even worse with a minor film deal. People think you've had ridiculous amounts when the truth is you've had a modest amount that has to be saved and used to make up for the times you earned very little or had to shelve more lucrative work to write.
I would also sound this warning note: try and get an agent. In your desperation to 'sell' you could be selling short your talent and signing away your family's future. And *never, ever* sell your film and TV rights as part of a boilerplate contract.
And no, thank goodness, I didn't.
That's a good point about the movie side of things, Pip. People do think the author must make a fortune if their book is made into a movie when the reality is quite different.
I do like my rose-coloured specs, though!!
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