[Arthur Slade]

I write in the YA/Middle Grade market and I've made my living as a writer since 1997 (the year my first book came out). But the key has been diversification. In the first few years, part of the money came from grants, another part from doing school visits, and maybe 30% from royalties. Over the years (and sixteen novels later), it has switched and I tend to make about 70% of my income from royalties (or advances) and the rest from various appearances (at schools, festival, and conferences). And, thanks to ePubbing, all of my works are back in print again. I am hoping that will add to my revenue stream (crossing my fingers, anyway).

 

[AnnetteL]

I'm making money, but not a "living." That said, what I earn goes up every year. In past years, it's been split roughly into thirds between freelance writing, freelance editing, and royalties from my trad pubbed books.

It publish with a regional niche press, but I've sold more books than many authors with Big-6 publishers (which says more about how little authors usually earn than anything else).

Things are changing now that I have Kindle books, though. My sales keep going up every month. If they'd stayed where they were in April (which they haven't--I'm way up for May), I'll earn more annually than I did with any of my novels.

I haven't given up entirely on traditional publishing, but I'm more and more excited all the time about being an indie Kindle author. It's been SO worth it to me--and it's welcome income.