Riches of Writing

If you're main objective for writing anything, especially books is to get rich, you may want to rethink your strategy. There are really only two good reasons to write 1) because you love to do so, 2) because you have something interesting, important, funny, scary (you fill in the word) that you want/need to share with the world. Then no matter what you do, you will be rich, because you will be fulfilled. But monetary riches may be slow to follow.

Do people get rich writing? Of course, but not many. That's why you need another motivation and a good understanding of the way the real world works. It usually takes several years to get publishers interested in publishing a book (even with an agent).  JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame was rejected numerous times over several years before interesting a publisher in Harry Potter (and her first advance was a measly 1500 pounds). Likewise, Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was rejected over 100 times. Publishers said no one would believe in a fairytale set in America!

Granted both of the former examples are works of fiction, but writing non-fiction doesn't have significantly better odds of getting published any quicker than fiction. The only exception is if you have impeccable timing and just happen to write something just as related current event takes place. But even that is a very long shot.

I write these things to inform and prepare hopeful writers. You will need more than a little dose of determination to make a go of it. Here's the break down:

It often takes 1-10 years of searching, submitting, pitching, and repitching to get a publisher interested in publishing a book. Once that happens the traditional length of time from signing a publishing contract to seeing your book in a book store is 2 years.


While there are exceptions to the rule, most publishers offer somewhere between 2k and 10k advances and 2-10 percent of royalties. There is no absolute standard, everybody does it a little differently. It really depends on what you negotiate. But keep in mind the days of 50k or 100k plus advances are gone for all but the JK Rowlings and Stephen Kings are gone.

The best advice I can give is to examine why you want to write. Then ask yourself how truly committed you are to the project? If the answer is more than anything, go for it. If it borders on I could take it or leave it, writing a book is probably not for you.

Remember the richest rewards of writing is in the enjoyment of the process and knowing you shared your story. Everything else is icing on the cake.