In my article “How Book Royalties Work: A Quick Reference Guide,” I outlined why it can be so difficult to make a living from book royalties. But, keep in mind that book royalties are just one way an author can make money from his or her writing. Here are other ways your words can earn you income.
- Think what’s missing. In my own case, one day I went looking for a book that would provide me with daily inspirations and a place to write down my food. I couldn’t find one so I thought, “Heck – I’ll write it!” The result is The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal and the rest is history. Is there a book you want to read but can’t find it? Write it!
- Write a book series. It may not be entirely realistic to make living off one best-selling novel (and, of course, you’ll have to keep writing one best seller after another if you want to stay a full-time writer). However, it may be more realistic to write what is equivalent to a best seller: a book series. This is the approach used by most professional writers. They write a series of theme- and protagonist-connected books so that they attract a steady and growing audience. Mystery, suspense, fantasy, and science fiction writers are adept at creating one or more characters and using them as protagonists in a series of books. As new readers discover the series, demands for previous volumes will increase. This generates a reinforcement effect where royalties build to a sustainable and long-lasting stream. After four or five books, the royalty stream from each previous book will allow you to write a new book every three or four years.
- Think movie magic. A well written, topical, and challenging book will attract movie producers. Turning your book into a movie with even moderate sales can give you both the means to become a professional writer and the means to sell future books to movie producers. Michael Crichton’s early book, Andromeda Strain, launched his multi-multi-million dollar career.
- Learn to write copy. America has approximately 50,000 publishers, 1,600 daily newspapers, 9,300 radio stations, 900 commercial TV stations, 300 educational stations, and a multitude of greeting card companies, businesses, schools, and other organizations who hire freelance authors to write articles, press releases, and ads. Writing copy while you’re writing your novel(s) will help you earn income and keep your skills sharp.
- Get crafty. Who says writing needs to be done on paper? Sell inspirational quotes, fiction, and poetry at arts and crafts festivals or poetry or book readings. Beautify your words with calligraphy, decorations such as dried flowers, stenciling, and colored paper. Sign up for craft fair mailing lists to receive show schedules.
- Ghostwrite. Opportunities abound to write books and articles for people with something to say but who lack either the time or training to do it. Don’t just think in terms of celebrity; if you know someone with a compelling story, such as a Holocaust or Depression Era survivor, you can approach him or her with an offer to pen their story – for a price.
- Grants, reports, and resumes – oh my! It’s not as exciting as working on your murder mystery but providing professional services will earn you both money and referrals.
These are just some ways to earn money off your words. If you look around, words are everywhere and somebody has to write them. And if you employ some creativity and tenacity, that somebody could be you.
