How Do Authors Earn Money!? (According to an Author)

[@badfaith4u]

Thank you so much for doing this video. You really cleared up so many doubts and confusion I had about being an author. 📚⌨️✍🏼 If you do a video on self publishing, that would be wonderful.

[@adrienne_reads]

Such good information! And love that the library supports authors 😊

[@autism_and_niamh]

I saw All The Violet Tiaras in my local library the other day!! Was very excited for you 😊

[@JeansThoughts]

Aaah that’s so cool!

[@KathyTrithardt]

That's fab that UK authors can also get a kick back for library lends in addition to the sale of the book to the library. I never would have consider that as being a thing (because it feels like double dipping). One thing I know about libraries is that the digital copies (ebook and audiobook) are a contract for a set amount of loans, and the library actually has to buy a new contact each time that is up (or decide not to keep it in their catalogue). For example, an e-copy might be for 25 loans, and after that the library has to buy the ecopy again. This is similar to when a physical book gets worn down and is weeded out of the collection, and possible repurchased depending on the needs of the community.

[@Jane-mj3lj]

loved this video! and as someone who only uses libraries, it’s great to hear that it still supports authors :)

[@JeansThoughts]

Heck yeah keep up the good work!

[@bethwebb7820]

I’m using your Greek Myths book with year 6 after Easter. So excited to have a chance to use it ❤!

[@JeansThoughts]

Oh that is so cool! I hope they love learning about Greek Myths. Thank you so much.

[@katiechatseyeshadow4394]

Got one of your books reserved at the library, glad to hear you get something out of that x

[@cococreates26]

Love the bullen wet wipes! I have a pack in almost every room for when I feel rough xx

[@tibbarasden]

It is awesome that you can earn a little bit from libraries. Great video.

[@nanaespacini]

hey, that's literally my job!! hahahaha i'm a rights assistant and i work with advance payments and sending out royalty statements!!!

[@helliza_]

This was a great video! Worth saying as well that trade publishing and academic publishing (e.g. publishing through university presses) usually differ a bit in what they pay. For research monographs or edited collections, academics are generally not offered an advance and royalties are often below 5% but the books will be sold at a much higher price point so it may balance out to some extent (although academic books by definition will be more niche and therefore tend to sell fewer copies than trade books).

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha yeah that’s exactly my experience in academic publishing too although like you said a tiny number get bought other than by libraries cause the book itself is over £100 and super niche 🤦‍♀️ definitely one for the cv in my case not the bank aha.

[@xreflecti0nsx]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Jean!

[@JeansThoughts]

I'm so glad it was interesting!

[@louiselangton]

That library info was lovely to hear! Makes the amount of time I had to wait to get my hands on Greek Myths in Manchester even more worth it! 😊 x

[@purplediva1893]

Such a great video! It's so interesting to understand how it all works. Thank you for sharing and letting us in on this information 🙂 very well explained too.

[@JeansThoughts]

You are so welcome!

[@lisadoyle6005]

Thanks Jean this was very informative

[@Viksbelle]

I get the bulk of my money from my day job manufacturing VW vehicles. I have not made enough money off my books yet to cross the threshold where it has to be reported for taxes.

[@isabelab6851]

As a finance type person, this is very interesting. I do not think that people realize the there are so many business considerations related to the revenue stream for the work. It must be daunting for a creative type writer to deal all this.

[@JeansThoughts]

Yes! You become a business when you’re an author and even with an agent or hiring an accountant you still take a lot on yourself.

[@JoshsBookishVoyage]

Fascinating discussion

[@JeansThoughts]

Glad you found it interesting!

[@katherineallen4239]

Fab video! I'd love to hear your thoughts on getting an agent.

[@JeansThoughts]

Honestly I think I'm a crap example. I signed with an agent who then ghosted me after querying a tonne by myself, and then my editor put me in touch with my current agent who I love.

[@tibbarasden]

My only question is, what happens if you get an advance, but the book totally flops, and you never earn enough royalties to meet what you got as an advance. Does the publisher just eat the cost of what they paid out to you, or would you have to pay it back? I hope this doesn't regularly happen, but as you were talking about advances and royalties, it popped in my head and I was curious.

[@JeansThoughts]

They eat the cost. They are investing/betting on your work. They're the company with the money therefore they take the risk. I imagine it doesn't happen often and more likely with biiiiiiiiig advances that were bigger risks. But yeah you don't have to repay any money!

[@JeansThoughts]

Side note: this is an argument for 'the bigger advance isn't always the better deal' though. If after years you've not earned out your advance it might affect what a publisher will risk/pay on your next book.

[@prasadrakshe6309]

I am from india and i like your vlog ❤ from india