I have a day job, but like so many other writers, I dream of one day writing full time and making enough to make a living at it.
It’s a dream shared by so many other creative people out there: artists, musicians, dancers, poets. Our creativity is part of our core being. As we go about our daily drudgery, our minds often go to our work in progress (WIP) or our next big idea.
Don’t get me wrong. I actually enjoy my day job and the people I work with. I earned two higher degrees for it. And after that, I’ve worked hard at my career as a scientist for almost three decades since then, through hard times and good times. I now make enough to live reasonably well. I’m not hurting.
And yet, writing is in my blood. Every still moment, my mind goes back to my books. Coming up with the next plot point while waiting in the doctor’s office. Visualizing the action during a break at work. Hearing the dialogue as I make some tea. Thinking up ideas while in the shower. All day long, I feel an irresistible urge to be back at my writing desk to bring it all to life on the page.
But I have to bring in the money. I can’t make enough of a living on my writing yet to even live modestly. Not yet. I still have a family to pay for. Too many bills to pay.
After self-publishing four books on Amazon, I’ve recently signed with a small press, GladEye Press. They will cover the editing costs, cover image art, and maybe a bit of marketing, so that I can focus on the writing part and not have to shell out money ahead of time. They will also help get my print books distributed to brick and mortar bookstores. They take a massive chunk of my royalties for these services, but if distribution is significantly higher than what I was currently selling, it’ll pay for itself and more, and we both profit. They are in the process of republishing each of my books with their brand, and this spring will publish my fifth book, Footman of the Ether (a sequel to my fantasy novel, Dragon of the Federation).
Related blog post: Before signing with GladEye, here’s why I self-published.
There was a time, up to a couple generations ago, when it was expected that an author would only publish one book a year, and it was enough to make a living on. Publishers would actually limit authors to only one book a year (this is why Stephen King took the pen name of Richard Bachman, in fact, so that he could publish more often). Now, the expectation is at least three a year, and the author has to do much of the publicity themselves (unless you are big name, of course). If you don’t already have a huge following on all the social media channels to do that, agents and publishers won’t give you the time of day, much less actually pay attention to your query letters or read your submitted work. Trust me. I spent more than a decade playing that game before I self-published. I feel lucky to get accepted by GladEye Press, frankly. If you still want to self-publish, you’re going to have to publish a dozen books, do everything yourself (or pay for others to do them for you), and have side gigs (such as editing or tutoring) before you can maybe earn enough.
I don’t say this to dissuade anyone from hoping for one day being a full time writer, even if self-published. There are lots of writers who have make it. I’m just being realistic. Like entering any other career, you always start at the bottom and have to overcome obstacles, train hard, and work even harder. Just don’t expect to live like a (Stephen) king!
As for me, I have a plan. It may be too ambitious, I admit. But in three years, my financial responsibilities will lighten. Then, if all goes well, I’ll quit my day job, sell my house and most of my belongings, and move to a cheaper area to live in. I’ll live a more modest lifestyle, too. By then I should have at least 3-5 more books published, bringing in royalties. Maybe … just maybe … I’ll be able to make enough to live a modest lifestyle with a roof over my head and enough food on the table.
Is it a pipe dream? We’ll see. But I’m clinging to it with one hand and a pen with the other.
Is it your dream too? Let’s help each other make it happen.
Cheers and
happy reading.
