I've been wanting to dive more into editorial work, both as a photographer and a writer. It's not the highest paying thing, but very fulfilling and allows me to stretch creatively in ways I likely wouldn't under my own brands. Thanks for your transparency here!
The editorial stuff I’ve done has really helped my own writing, so worth it in lots of ways. Just make sure you charge enough to make it worth your while! ❤️
Do you think the publishing industry has changed significantly in the last ten years? To the point where it is less financially viable to go down the traditional publishing route?
I'm a writer, a PhD in Creative Writing, but I feel I don't want to spend my time trying to find an agent or a publisher because it's just too darn unpredictable. I'd rather be more in control of my own ability to earn enough money to keep the lights on... currently on Substack and mentoring.
I think it has changed and it's harder to get a good traditional deal, but the issues are not new. It's always been hard to make a good wage as a mid-list author unless you're very prolific, or have a breakout hit.
I found that the pressure for my books to be commercially successful killed the joy in my writing, so I made the conscious choice to earn elsewhere. I still believe in trad publishing and that will always be my first choice, but I'm not reliant on it - that's made all the difference in my attitude!
One way it has changed is digital first, of course, where there is more money for marketing and a different model (no author advance but higher royalties). It all depends what you write and what you want for your work.
Thank you for your honesty about how 'portfolio' a writing life actually is and the number of different income streams to keep track of. As a fellow Brit, I utterly get the "we don't talk about money" bit. Best wishes for those TV & film options.
Thank you for sharing! I’m starting to patch together my own writing income, and posts like this are an important reality check and a source of inspiration.
Absolutely resonate with this so much! I feel like I could have written it myself. I’m a “full time” children’s book author/illustrator, who supplements her income in much the same way as you. The difference being that advances for children’s books are much, *much* less. But I guess I make them more frequently (two per year, currently) so it (sort of) adds up to a living. I also agree that the lack of pay is made up hugely by being in charge of your own time, flexibility and living a life that you fully connect to creatively. I used to work full time in-house in publishing (for twenty years) and this is just so much more fulfilling - the money just doesn’t make it worth it to me. And here’s hoping for that stroke of luck us creatives are all hoping for! Xx
Very interesting article thanks for the transparency.
I've been wanting to dive more into editorial work, both as a photographer and a writer. It's not the highest paying thing, but very fulfilling and allows me to stretch creatively in ways I likely wouldn't under my own brands. Thanks for your transparency here!
The editorial stuff I’ve done has really helped my own writing, so worth it in lots of ways. Just make sure you charge enough to make it worth your while! ❤️
Enjoyed this very much! Thanks for sharing!
Do you think the publishing industry has changed significantly in the last ten years? To the point where it is less financially viable to go down the traditional publishing route?
I'm a writer, a PhD in Creative Writing, but I feel I don't want to spend my time trying to find an agent or a publisher because it's just too darn unpredictable. I'd rather be more in control of my own ability to earn enough money to keep the lights on... currently on Substack and mentoring.
I think it has changed and it's harder to get a good traditional deal, but the issues are not new. It's always been hard to make a good wage as a mid-list author unless you're very prolific, or have a breakout hit.
I found that the pressure for my books to be commercially successful killed the joy in my writing, so I made the conscious choice to earn elsewhere. I still believe in trad publishing and that will always be my first choice, but I'm not reliant on it - that's made all the difference in my attitude!
Thanks, Katherine. It's interesting to have this info.
One way it has changed is digital first, of course, where there is more money for marketing and a different model (no author advance but higher royalties). It all depends what you write and what you want for your work.
Thank you for your honesty about how 'portfolio' a writing life actually is and the number of different income streams to keep track of. As a fellow Brit, I utterly get the "we don't talk about money" bit. Best wishes for those TV & film options.
Glad it was helpful!
Love the transparency! I wish more people in the industry would talk about money and normalize it.
So do I! 😆
This is incredibly valuable, thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing this
Thank you for sharing! I’m starting to patch together my own writing income, and posts like this are an important reality check and a source of inspiration.
I'm glad it resonated, Anna!
Katherine, thanks very much for sharing this! It’s a great reality check.
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 to your books becoming films! 🎥
We live in hope!
Love this so much. 🤩 Thank you so much for sharing this honest look. 😘🫶🏻
Thank you for sharing this. 🦋
Absolutely resonate with this so much! I feel like I could have written it myself. I’m a “full time” children’s book author/illustrator, who supplements her income in much the same way as you. The difference being that advances for children’s books are much, *much* less. But I guess I make them more frequently (two per year, currently) so it (sort of) adds up to a living. I also agree that the lack of pay is made up hugely by being in charge of your own time, flexibility and living a life that you fully connect to creatively. I used to work full time in-house in publishing (for twenty years) and this is just so much more fulfilling - the money just doesn’t make it worth it to me. And here’s hoping for that stroke of luck us creatives are all hoping for! Xx
Thank you for this Ella! The longer I work like this the more I appreciate the benefits (and the more unemployable I become 😂)!
Haha, yes! So true!
This is very insightful to read as an aspiring author! Thank you for sharing ✨