Ruth Ann Nordin's Books 

Springfield, NE
ph: 402-953-0133

Publishing Myths Vs. Facts

 

(More will be coming in the future.)

I have been researching publishing options since August 2008, and in that time, I have gathered some useful information that I wish the more experienced authors in my writer's group would have shared with me.  About two did.  The others refused to answer my questions for one reason or another, which was a shame since on the website this group promised to share such information with new members.  (After I paid my dues, I learned that they did not honor their mission statement.)  Since that time, I decided that I would not withhold information that I have learned.  Now, I admit that I am not an expert, and I still have much to learn.  As I do, I will post more links and information.  Some of these posts will be written by me and some by other people.  There is value, after all, in having an expert's testimony.   

The purpose of this page is to educate new writers on the realities of publishing in today's market.

1.  Myth #1: On Average, a writer can make a living by writing fiction.

Short answer:  no.

Now, here are some facts:

1.  The average author makes $3000/year.  (Dale Beaumont; bestselling author; source of information: podcast via thecreativepenn)

2.  Rachelle Gardner (a literary agent) breaks down advances and how that works with your pocket book in her blog post: "Maybe You Shouldn't Quit Your Job Yet")

3.  Less than 200 authors in the US make a living at writing fiction.  (Doyce Testerman; source Module 1 of Author 2.0 by The Creative Penn--sorry, this one was part of a course I bought so I cannot link the actual source because of copyright.)

4.  Due to the shrinking economy, non-bestselling authors are taking a pay cut. (article at theBookseller.com)

2.  Myth #2: A Big Publisher = Lots of Publicity on Their Dime

The truth is that in today's market, authors are expected to promote their own books.  The days of sitting back and writing all day while someone else sells your book is over. 

Sources:

City Brights: Joe Quirk ("Authors: Your Publisher Has No Clothes")

3.  Publishing Options

This is a great series of posts I found by authors Christine and Ethan Rose.  Here's the link to the first post that will take you to the topics listed below:

http://ow.ly/ur15

Series Index

  1. Four Basic Choices
  2. New York Big Boys
  3. Literary Agents
  4. NY Big Boys Pros & Cons
  5. Indie Publishers
  6. An Indie Publisher May Work for You!
  7. Indie Publisher Pros & Cons
  8. Intro to “Self Publishing”
  9. Your Own Indie Publishing House
  10. Lightning Source Distribution
  11. Getting into Bookstores
  12. “Self Publishing” Pros & Cons
  13. Vanity Publishing

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Springfield, NE
ph: 402-953-0133