How much do Authors really earn?

What Authors Really Earn (and Why It Matters)

According to the Authors Guild’s 2023 survey, here’s the reality of author income:

Full-time authors earned a median book income (advances, royalties, and licensing) of about $10,000, and a median total author-related income of just over $20,000.

Traditionally published authors in commercial markets did a little better — a median of $15,000 from books and $25,000 total.

But when you include all authors (part-time, indie, or hobbyist), the numbers drop dramatically — just $2,000 from books and $5,000 total.

Most authors are earning less than minimum wage from their craft.

But income doesn’t equal potential.

Authors aren’t struggling because they can’t earn more — they’re struggling because no one taught them how to run their writing like a business.

At Ink & Assets, we’re changing that. We help creative minds turn passion into profit with smart money systems, feast-and-famine planning, and strategies that actually work for the way authors earn.

Ready to start? Download our Free Author Quick Start Money Guide and learn how to build real wealth from your words.

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