AUTHORS! Don't Quit Your Day Job! (but who CAN quit their day job?)

[@journeytofull-timewriter3694]

I was working a full-time job that was making me miserable and affecting my depression and anxiety so I quit to write full-time. It's hard but it was the right thing to do for me.

[@AlexaDonne]

Everyone has to make the right decision for them, for sure! Everyone comes from a different set of circumstances, which is why there's no "one size fits all" solution or answer when people ask "can you live off book money?" Good luck!

[@mariaager1924]

That’s definitely the goal but are you making enough to quit? I can’t wait to get there.

[@Space_Writer]

I resonate deeply with this

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

You left out one easily overlooked category: retirees. Writing books can be a great thing to do after you leave work, and the suction abates.

[@irenetanzman3976]

I am writing full time as a retiree. Everyone can fit into this category...eventually

[@lorenhackney9981]

Yes! Me too!

[@Space_Writer]

@@irenetanzman3976this category is not quite within throwing distance, but I'm trying to transition to writing as my new career/retiring life

[@dwkeiko]

I love your channel. There are hardly any authors on KZbin who are traditionally published, so it's great so see someone on here that I can relate to more, since I want to be traditionally published too. Also, you have a certain honesty that is amazing. You talk about money and other topics that most people avoid. Overall, I just want to say thank you for making your channel, and I wish you further success in your writing career.

[@AlexaDonne]

This is so amazing to hear! Seriously, this is why I started this channel. So few people are candid about what traditional publishing is like, and I want it to help people so they don't have to jump through as many hoops/spend YEARS in the YA community to learn these things, like I did.

[@dwkeiko]

Alexa Donne Well, you're definitely going to be helping out a lot of people for sure!!

[@thepageprincess]

I second this!! I have been addicted to watching these videos lately.

[@bellamin4549]

03:02 get out of my head! Lol I think we’ve all had that moment where that’s how we picture us quitting.

[@BedtimeBookworm]

Ive been binging a bunch of your videos lately and I really appreciate all of you honesty. I’m just starting to dream about writing a book and your content is so helpful. Thank you!

[@cvhoneybee]

I forgive you for crushing all my hopes and dreams :) LOL! But honestly, while being the unicorn is something I fantasize about, I would really just like to write for some supplemental income and to say I am a published writer. That too me is more important than the money side.

[@zorasoulhealing3522]

Maybe this might help someone out there. I lost my day job as an IT Analyst 13 years ago. My wife left when my health got really bad. I'm on disability, I get full benefits, yay! I'm allowed $450/mnth in earnings before they cut support. Here in Ontario Canada, if we earn less than 30K /yr we don't have to register as a sole proprietor or report income. Also, if you're paid via Paypal in Canada gov disability doesn't consider it income. It's gifted money. Same with e-transfer payments. So I've been working as a freelance English/French translator. I translate instruction manuals. There's also subtitling movies guys!! I'm 42, can barely walk, on an oxygen tank, and live alone. And thanks to the legal loopholes like not having to pay income tax because gov disability income is protected by the welfare tax act. Gifted money is protected from taxation too. My clients are cool and pay me via Paypal and e-transfers. So in the end, my take home now is 2300/mnth from my couch. Same as when I was working 50hrs/wk losing my soul to the AI god. I'm now way happier worshipping my new Goddess... my 14 yr old cat.

[@Space_Writer]

now that's a (bitter) sweet deal! I wonder are there similar loopholes like this for Creatives in the States?

[@tometimetea6621]

Love this real talk. Not enough people start discussions on money but it's so important. Too many people have unrealistic expectations when it comes to making money on books.

[@perrywilliams5407]

Love your channel, Alexa! This is off-topic, but you mentioned in video sometime back that for some genres, self-publishing is more common and works well. What genres are those? (Like you, I am drawn more toward traditional publishing.) Thanks and congrats on your books!

[@bethanylaurell8081]

Ironically, I *do* live in Ohio. But even though the cost of living here is definitely MUCH lower than someplace like LA or NYC, I don't think I'd want to quit my day job unless I got one of those magical unicorn six-figure book deals. I'm like you; I would get twitchy without a steady paycheck plus benefits! My feeling is that if I ever get published, I'll just view any money I get out of it like a nice bonus rather than something to actually live on.

[@AlexaDonne]

That's a great attitude, and the one I share, as well. And exactly: unless you get mega money, publishing money just isn't that much? And it comes randomly. And there are no benefits! Benefits are another huge advantage to a full time job. I love my medical, dental, vision, 401K...

[@lorettaknoelk3475]

It seemed like a lot of words just to say "I don't know." I did enjoy the video about the layouts and amounts. To me it was more clear and concise. Now I know to expect money *maybe* every 4 months. Which IS VERY HELPFUL!

[@SDHegyes]

The cost of living is significantly lower where I live compared to where you live (small-town NC), and my plan is to already be making at least half (with writing) of what I'm making now with my job before I quit. I am planning on self-publishing though, so there's that. I am also prepared to work a part-time job if necessary, and I want to have enough money set aside to be able to pay living expenses for upwards of a year - just in case things don't work out in my favor.

[@thepageprincess]

This is super helpful. I'm about to graduate college with my bfa in creative writing and am trying to figure out HOW I am can write full time. I understand it would take a while and maybe I wouldn't get to or want to. I actually also love graphic design work and am thinking I could do it as a day job.

[@christopherfrigo315]

I just naively hope that I'm a unicorn. One series, someone gives me a large advantage with some royalties for some movie rights.

[@nuthinmuffins5073]

I'd rather be a poor storyteller than ever have a day job again. But maybe someday I'll ride off on one of them thar uniccorns...

[@mariaager1924]

Amen!!!!!

[@alinasartcafe]

huh... I get your references, which means I am also old :P You are spot on with this video. Of course, you can quit your job if you decide to move to a country with super low cost of living (think Thailand or Eastern Europe or something). As someone who's been working as a freelancer for a lot of years, I can say it is not for everyone. If you are comfortable with a stricter routine and like to go into work, need the group of people you work with, freelancing can be a bad choice. Of course, where you are is as important, as are your priorities and your needs. I can honestly say I've worked a lot more as a freelancer than I worked at my full time corporate job.

[@mcgrawnelson4722]

I live in minnesota. A 50,000 dollar book deal could allow me to quit my job. The average rent where i live is like 500 dollars a month...

[@TheEccentricRaven]

When the day comes that I'm published, no matter how big the advance is, I'll need to keep my day job for the health insurance benefits. I have a number health issues that require a lot of doctors visits.

[@summits4ataxia]

love the channel and your tips ty

[@octosepninetyoneninetysix1601]

I already "work" from home, so no need to quit my day job. Writing is my day job. I am working on my first book. Already have 2 pen names picked out. Never liked my name and i like more neutral names. Names where you can't tell if author is female or male.

[@renab.7390]

Same for me.

[@armstronghawkins9183]

If most authors don't "earn out" the advance, how are publishers making money? If the majority of advances are 1 to 10K and those authors don't "earn out", where's the profit for the publisher? Is the publisher making their profit off foreign sales or movie options (which the author doesn't share?)? Curious if you know. THANKS!

[@AlexaDonne]

The outliers--bestsellers who earn out--more than make up for those who don't, who are losses that the publishers can write off. That said, you have to earn out your portion of sales--authors only make a small percentage of every sale, and that is what you need to earn back to earn out... the publisher makes profits above and beyond the author share. They take on the majority of the financial risk, so the publisher earns the majority of the sales capital. It's a complex formula!

[@HDloly]

Thank you, dear. Very informative.

[@lindseymeredith84]

OMG this is amazing.

[@seaneasley3646]

You're so right. It is most usually no. It takes a special circumstance, that's for sure. Maybe I should bounce off this video with my own thoughts, because people seem to think people who write as their day job are the norm (and as one, I can totally say that's NOT the case).

[@seaneasley3646]

And if you're one of the "partner" people, it would ONLY work with a partner who believes in you and is as excited about the decision as you are.

[@AlexaDonne]

You should totally do a video! I think it would be cool to see the other side. And you're totally right: the partner has to be totally supportive, especially since so often it doesn't SEEM like the writer is working (but they are) and when publishing doesn't go swimmingly (as it is prone to do), you don't want a partner getting frustrated b/c they weren't truly 100% behind the decision. There is a delicate balance in any situation where one partner supports a working (freelance) creative person!

[@mollycluff943]

I'm constantly distracted by your lovely makeup. Lip color this time!

[@shamusobi2748]

Why not come to Texas? $1200 for a 2 bed room apartment?

[@KatharineFrancis]

I don't think I'd ever quit my day job because that is a consistent paycheck and if I did quit I think I'd stress out way too much. I'm also single so I have no one else to fall back on money wise. If I don't make it then I'm broke. Haha and I like money too much to let that happen.

[@tehyoyo12]

Lol I don't have insurance either way so

[@bruhhbrahh]

I have to find myself a sugar daddy just to publish my book 😂 😂 😂

[@morningmayan]

Write about it :)

[@DayShawnrShow]

Good thing I'm a security guard who can type at work and at home. Lol

[@jilllasala9236]

"If you live somewhere with lower cost..." *lives in New Jersey* ):

[@Valentine-jo7ls]

Me lmaooo I need to move out of NJ

[@dawnstar12]

j k rolling etc or forget it

[@adiegiese23]

Can you do a video on how to know how big of a book deal you need before you quit your day job?

[@AlexaDonne]

I already have a video on that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGS4c6ukgMajgqM You can download the spreadsheet in the description box which breaks down many advances. You can gauge your own cost of living/point at which you could quit, and then see how big the deal would need to be. It's going to be higher for me, living in Los Angeles, than someone who lives in, say, Ohio.

[@reclaimedandrested]

Escorts!