(Untitled)

[azriona]

 I saw a post on Twitter yesterday that gave me pause. It was an entire thread on self-publishing, and one of the comments was from a would-be writer, claiming that she didn't want to self-publish because it was "so expensive."

Which I don't get - because does she think traditional publishing will just hand her check after check after check? That's

Comments

[talloakslady]

You've done well for yourself in publishing and I am so impressed.

[thistle_chaser]

> I suspect the list of authors who actually earn their keep solely via writing is very, very short.

In my experience, I think you're right. There's a traditionally published author I know, and he spends only six months at a time writing, then works for six months so he can support himself through the other six.

A self-published author I know, whose first two books had good sales, had to put off writing his third book because he had to take multiple jobs to support himself.

I'm sure there are others I've forgotten, too.

[azriona]

About writing not being self-supporting in any case? Oh, definitely. I know of more authors with second jobs (or working spouses) than I do writers who make enough to not have either. Actually... I'm not sure I do know any writers who fit that last category. Well. Maybe one, and only online and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if that wasn't necessarily true for her, either.

At least I'm realistic about it, though - I see plenty of people online who think they're going to make it big after a book or two. Usually the young ones who haven't learned otherwise yet. Eh, I was the same way, they'll learn. Or maybe they'll be the one who makes it, who knows? :)