Some Hard Truths

Literally just talking about myself here, which isn't fun because it's gonna affect how I approach future books. Perhaps.

I've said for years now that if I had to have a dream job, it would be writing related. I love the idea of spending my days behind a computer, typing away and sending my manuscript off to be edited and such. Or not so much, really. I tackle editing on my own to retain control over my work and save some money, because uh...editing is hella expensive. As in, more than what we pay a month for rent. Rent for us is around $1300 a month. Editing can easily cost twice that.

And there's just no way I'd be able to make a profit if I had to hire an editor. I did find some luck with a developmental editor for Early Adopter (shout out to Morgan, highly recommend!), but that was also a novella and not a full length novel. Finding a new editor now would be even trickier, considering the AI hype that has invaded so many aspects of life now. I don't want to work with anyone who relies on AI, and a lot of so called editors aren't honest about their AI use.

But let's not get too off track here...

My best years as an author were when I published serials through Kindle Vella, because Amazon was handing out these massive bonuses. I still don't understand their algorithm, but there was a rough idea of how to exploit it. Some authors were raking in an easy 5k each month (the secret was read for reads). $1200 was the highest I ever made, but my average was $400, when I was at my peak. $200, otherwise. My time with Vella really skewed my perceptions, but even then I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Without Vella, my average earnings are $25 a month. Huge drop, but I was able to afford a few covers back then. Now it's much harder, and I'm seriously doubting I'll be able to make a living off my writing. Not unless I chase trends and write in popular genres, etc. But that's just not me. My books will never be wildly successful. They're much too niche and weird for that. And honestly...I wouldn't have it any other way.

But this is also why I'm trying to established in a stable and highly demanded field, because writing will never meet my living expenses. Especially as my country is barreling towards a recession, and I don't know what the future will bring. Hate the idea of calling writing just a hobby, since it's what I'm most passionate about. It just won't be what puts food on the table. I'm still trying to earn back the money I spent on an older book cover that just isn't selling well (or at all, if we're being honest).

This is also why it's good to have a good backlog for those voracious readers. So I'll keep doing what I do best: write, publish, and grow.