Rosanne Dingli

Rosanne Dingli

Friday, October 7, 2011

Writers and money



Many writers say they write because they have to. Many say it's a passion they give in to. Others declare they are addicted and cannot stop writing, while a few admit they hope to strike it lucky and sell thousands of books a month.

Pic: Royalty review council
I suspect more belong to the latter group than would willingly and candidly agree. It must be the dream of all authors to discover one bright day, on opening the email that contains their half-yearly royalties statement, that sales exceeded all their expectations. Show me an author who would not love to be blown away by figures in tens of thousands.

The reality is that for most writers large figures are the stuff of dreams. The realistic author understands the nature of the market, the fickle aspect of retaining a readership, and the difficulty of publicity and promotions. Most people in the entertainment industry - and that is where fiction belongs for most people - will attest to the fact that they must have a 'real job' to feed their writing habit. Any artistic undertaking generally means that the hours spent in pursuit of that art are rarely all remunerated. Only big name authors and those near the top of the mid-list come anywhere near making enough to live comfortably. Some teach, others hold down a job in some other industry, and others have a supportive partner or spouse who subsidizes those long unpaid hours.

Dan Brown, bookjacket image.Image via Wikipedia Dan BrownThis is not to say that there aren't authors who do make a comfortable income - of course they are. And it's so comfortable it makes the news. Telling people you are an author sometimes brings on reactions and comments that are entertaining: there is a myth or misconception that all authors make as much money as Dan Brown or John Grisham or JK Rowling. Some think it's as easy as John Locke and Amanda Hocking seem to have found it. Few realize how hard these authors work, what they endured to get where they are, and the reality of the figures attached to their success.

Each book sold brings an author less than three dollars in royalties at the end of the day. Working out how many books one must sell to cover one electricity bill is a lesson in realization of a dismal fact. It is exceedingly hard to write for a real living. Of all those in Australia who claim to be writers, only a very small percentage make enough to maintain a moderate lifestyle.

It could be depressing to realize this, but it can also be liberating. Nothing prevents people from holding down a job and also writing books. Many understand the artistic quality of having to subsidize society, rather than the other way around. Like I said before: it's a rare artist who gets paid for all the hours it takes to conceive and create, adjust and perfect something that will please or entertain an audience. Whether it's writing, painting, acting, sculpting or playing an instrument, there are long, long hours of practising, editing, drafting... chiseling at that block, either practically or metaphorically, that will never be paid for.

Authors do not count their days in billable hours. Some feel they are working all the time - writing in their heads, promoting with their chat, visiting places and researching material with which to build the next chapter. Some feel it's simply not work, but incredible pleasure derived from a pastime or undertaking that is so enjoyable it would seem almost sinful to be paid for. All that ... and money too?

What authors give society is impossible to price. True, it would be nice for us to be recompensed in some sort of 'fair' way, but most realize it's an unrealistic expectation. What authors give is time, creativity, talent and a gift for putting into words what can be felt, lived and loved. Let us not look at the most commercial and well-paid among us - let us instead look at the ones who donate freely of their time and talent, knowing it might never be noticed, let alone valued. Let us consider the truly amazing body of work created not because it might one day make millions, but because it might one day make a reader wipe away a tear, or chortle with delight, or sigh with joy.


Enhanced by Zemanta

12 comments:

  1. Well of course I'm not going to argue with that, Rosanne! Writers do have a choice; go with the market or do one's own thing (or possibly do both). Sometimes it's a choice between the satisfaction of a decent royalty statement versus the satisfaction of nailing a particular piece of writing. And how does one measure the value of sincere warm feedback from a reader? Some things can't be bought. Margaret Sutherland

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well said, Roseanne. As an author who usually has a day job, plus has a supportive husband, I can attest to the fact that it is certainly about more than money. I write for children (which means that that $3 per book is usually $1.50 or les per book) and for me the most rewarding thing is when kids tell me they love my stories. Every now and then a child tells me that one of my novels is the first one they've ever read - and I hope that maybe, just maybe that means I've helped that child become a lifelong reader. What a privilege!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you Margaret, thank you Sally - perhaps we can all relate to times we wonder why we do what we do, and whether money has anything at all to do with it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post. "What authors give society is impossible to price." This is so true, Rosanne. I have made very little money from my writing, but I have made some. The impact it has had on some readers is worth more sometimes than the money itself, although, as you so aptly said, who wouldn't love to make a good living doing what we love to do. I read one of my children's stories (still unpublished) to a neighbor's daughter and she loved it - wanted to know when it would be published so she could buy the first copy! She was maybe 10 at the time. Nothing is so welcome as a reader's comment on how the book has helped them in some way.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post, Rosanne. I'd get paid way more not writing (with all the free time I could do things that actually pay a living wage), but I'd be much more of a pain in the ass. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brava Rosanne! For many of us it is truly about changing the world and/or touching the reader. I have read posts that have changed my life, posts which were provided free by the author--"impossible to price" indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Perhaps I have proved it to myself, then! Comments like these are also priceless. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for writing a remuneration reality check for new writers and affirming why most writers really write. Connie

    ReplyDelete
  9. So true Rosanne - all over the world it seems. Nino Ricci, winner of the Governor Generals Award in Canada must still teach, and take on 'writer-in-residence- gigs, etc. to make ends meet. But we can dream! Mine is to be respected as a good writer and loved by my readers.
    And speaking of Dan Brown - you are the better writer. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great post, Rosanne! Few creative types make big bucks. I did the music biz thing for many years and barely scraped by, but I had some great experiences. Now I write, fiction and non-fiction, and cannot imagine NOT writing. It fuels my creative juices every single day. And may I state once again, I LOVE the header on your blog, the Monet (I think?) is just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Susan. Since this big explosion of indie writers happened, a lot of strange opinions have been publicly voiced that have little basis in financial reality.
    I love the Monet - my forthcoming romantic thriller, Camera Obscura, mentions the painting, and part of it takes place right in that spot.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post, Rosanne. I'm under no illusion that I will make my fortune from writing but it's surprising just how many people assume that every writer will do just that.

    ReplyDelete