Can you make a living off of being an author? Or does writing stay a passion project while the bills get paid another way? That’s the question running through the minds of thousands of writers right now.
It’s a fair one, especially in 2025, where the cost of living keeps rising and the publishing world keeps changing.
Maybe you’re finishing your first novel. Maybe you’ve already self-published a few titles but haven’t hit the numbers you hoped for. Or maybe you’re just curious if full-time writing is even possible anymore.
No matter what brought you here, the goal is the same, to find out how much authors really earn today. And more importantly, if it’s enough to live on.
There’s a lot of noise out there. One blog says authors are raking in six figures. Another paints a much grimmer picture. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. Author earnings are all over the place, and the numbers depend on a lot of factors. Today, I’ll give you a clear and complete breakdown. So let’s begin.
What’s the Average Salary of an Author in 2025?
In 2025, the average income of an author looks different depending on who you ask and how deep you dig. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors are earning a median salary of $72,270 a year as of May 2024. That figure sounds strong, especially if you’re new to the industry and wondering if this is a path worth taking.
But that’s just the middle point. Half of the authors earn more. Half earn less. This includes screenwriters, journalists, technical writers, and creative authors, all grouped together. When we narrow it down to just full-time book authors, the reality becomes a bit more nuanced.
Some authors earn six or seven figures. Others bring in a few hundred dollars a year. That wide range is real. And it’s why it’s so important to understand which group you fall into, or where you want to be. Writing can be profitable, but that depends on how you publish, how often you release books, how strong your platform is, and how you promote your work. One number rarely tells the whole story.
What beginner authors can expect to earn?
If you’re just starting out, expectations should be realistic. Many new authors make between $500 and $5,000 in their first year, especially if they self-publish one book and don’t promote it heavily. That’s not meant to scare you. It’s just how the market works.
New authors have to build momentum. Unless you’ve written something that goes viral or you already have a huge platform, chances are your first book won’t be an overnight success. But each book you release builds credibility and expands your audience.
It takes time to earn a consistent income. Those who succeed usually do so after publishing multiple books and learning the ins and outs of either the traditional or indie route.
How mid-list and experienced authors compare?
Mid-list authors are those who are not bestsellers but still publish regularly and have a loyal readership. They earn anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. Some of them get advances. Others depend on steady royalty checks. These writers usually have multiple titles under their belt and understand their audience well.
Experienced authors, especially those with more than 5–10 books out, can break past the $50,000 mark if their books continue to sell. Some may earn six figures, but they’ve worked for years to get there. This tier of authors tends to have an established rhythm. They might release a book every year or two and maintain an engaged fan base.
The key difference here is output and consistency. Experienced authors keep showing up. They write, publish, market, and repeat.
Part-time vs full-time writing income
Part-time authors usually earn less, but they also carry less pressure. They may have another job and write during evenings or weekends. For them, writing is a creative outlet that sometimes pays. A survey from the Authors Guild once showed that the median income for part-time writers was around $6,080 per year. That’s not insignificant, but it’s not a living wage either.
Full-time authors, on the other hand, live and breathe writing. Their median income was recorded at around $20,300 in that same survey.
Is full-time writing a financially stable path?
Writing full-time is possible but it’s not always stable. Most full-time authors don’t earn a steady paycheck like salaried employees do. Instead, they rely on royalties, advances, freelance work, and sometimes side hustles that are still connected to their writing.
You might publish a book in January and not see significant income from it until June. Some months are great. Others are quiet. That’s part of the cycle. So when someone asks if writing is “stable,” the answer depends on how well they’ve built systems that bring in income all year long.
Authors who write consistently, publish regularly, and understand marketing tend to do better. They treat it like a career, not a one-time shot. Over time, that adds up.
Credit: Statista
How Much Can You Make Per Book?
Your income per book depends on how it’s published, what format it’s in, and how much of the sales price ends up in your pocket. There’s no fixed number, but we can look at typical ranges and examples to get a clear idea.
The Typical Royalty Range Per Format
In traditional publishing, hardcover royalties start at around 10% of the list price for the first 5,000 copies sold. If your book sells more than that, the percentage can rise to 12.5% or even 15% for higher tiers. Paperbacks usually offer around 7.5%. For ebooks, the royalty is 25% but that’s based on net proceeds, not the list price.
Now let’s compare that to self-publishing. If you’re publishing on Amazon’s KDP platform, you can earn either 30% or 70% in royalties for ebooks, depending on your pricing. For paperbacks, you can get up to 60%, but print costs are deducted before your final royalty is calculated.
That’s why self-published authors can make a lot more per book.
Credit: WordsRated
Self-published vs traditional royalties
Imagine selling 6,000 copies of your book at $14.99 each. A traditional author might earn about $1.79 per book, while a self-published author could earn closer to $5.74. That’s a huge difference. Same book, same price, completely different income.
In this case, the traditionally published author ends up with around $10,740. The self-published author? Over $35,000. That’s $24,700 more in your bank account just by choosing a different path. So while the earning potential is higher, the pressure to manage the process is also higher.
| Earnings Comparison (Per Book) | ||
| Category | Traditional Publishing | Self-Publishing |
| Average Royalty Rate | 4% – 15% | 60% – 80% |
| Advance Payment | Yes ($5,000 – $50,000 typical) | No |
| Income per $14.99 Book | ~$1.79 – $2.24 (at 10%–15%) | ~$5.74 (after printing & fees) |
| Rights Control | Publisher controls rights | Author retains all rights |
| Time to Publish | 1–2 years | 1–3 months |
| Marketing Support | Limited, publisher-driven | Fully author-dependent |
How pricing and length factor in
The price of your book matters. If you price too high, readers might hesitate. Too low, and your profit shrinks fast. A $2.99 ebook with a 70% royalty still only earns you around $2 per sale. But a $9.99 ebook earns you closer to $6. You need to balance affordability with profitability.
The length of your book and its production quality also play a role, especially for print formats. A longer paperback costs more to produce. That cuts into your royalties. A 400-page fantasy novel may earn you less per copy than a 150-page nonfiction guide if the print costs are higher.
What Really Affects How Much an Author Makes?
There’s no secret formula to author income, but there are patterns. The more you understand what drives earnings, the better you can plan your writing career. It’s about smart decisions, consistency, and understanding the business side of writing.
Genre, Audience Size, and Platform Strength
Genre plays a massive role in your earning potential. Romance, mystery, and fantasy authors are some of the highest earners in publishing. Why? These genres have loyal fan bases that read in bulk. Readers binge book series and follow their favorite authors closely. That creates demand.
The size of your audience matters too. If you’ve spent time building an email list, growing your social media, or engaging with readers directly, your platform becomes a source of steady income.
The Role of Book Marketing and Launch Strategy
A good book without a solid launch can easily disappear into the void. Marketing is the engine that pushes your work into readers’ hands. Even traditionally published authors are expected to promote their books heavily.
Smart authors invest time into pre-launch buzz, newsletter engagement, social posts, and book reviews. A strong launch can create enough momentum to carry your book through months of sales.
If you think writing the book is the finish line, you’ll be disappointed. Promotion matters just as much.
Is the Number of Books Published a Key Factor?
Yes. The more books you have out there, the better your odds of making consistent income.
Most authors don’t make big money from a single book. But if you’ve published five, ten, or twenty titles, each one becomes a steady contributor to your earnings.
A reader who loves your first book will likely buy your second. Then your third. Over time, your backlist becomes a source of passive income.
Smart Ways Authors Are Boosting Their Income
Many authors in 2025 are building careers that extend beyond the page. They’re finding ways to turn their writing into multiple streams of income.
- Authors who speak at schools, conferences, or workshops can earn significant income from appearances.
- Online income is a growing trend. Authors are launching writing courses, offering bonus content through Patreon, or writing subscription-based newsletters on Substack.
- Not every book gets a Netflix deal, but the market for adaptations is alive and well. Selling rights to your story can lead to life-changing income.
How Much Do Top Authors Really Make?
While most authors don’t strike gold overnight, there are some who break through and build massive income streams from their writing. These are the names that show up on bestseller lists, get TV deals, or run businesses around their books.
| Best Selling Author Earning | ||
| Author | Genre/Type | Reported Earnings |
| JK Rowling | Young Adult | $51.4 million (2024) |
| Stephen King | Horror | $52 million (2024) |
| Jeff Kinney | Children’s | $23 million (2024) |
| Hugh Howey | Sci-fi (Self-pub) | Over $1 million total (2014) |
| Pat Flynn | Business/Nonfiction | $459,341 (3-year impact) |
| Jim C. Hines | Fantasy (Trad) | $13,957 (2022) |
| Joanna Penn | Indie/Non-fiction | $95,000 (from book sales, 2016) |
What Sets These Authors Apart?
There’s no magic formula. But certain traits are common among top-earning authors. They’re consistent. And they treat writing like a job, not a side project.
Final Thoughts
So, how much do authors make in 2025? It varies more than almost any other creative field. Some writers earn millions. Others barely break even. But somewhere in between lies a space where committed, consistent writers are building real, sustainable income. If you’re just starting out, don’t be discouraged by small numbers. Every big author began with one book. One launch. One idea. What matters is how you build from there. If you’re here reading this, you’re already taking your writing seriously. That’s a great place to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do self published authors make?
Self-published authors can make more per book because they keep a bigger share of each sale. On average, they earn 35% to 70% royalties, and sometimes even more with ebooks.
2. How much does the average author make?
If we talk about full-time book authors, the average is lower. It’s closer to $20,000. Part-time authors make even less, usually under $10,000 a year.
3. How much do new authors make?
New authors usually earn the least because they’re still building their audience. Many first-time authors make between $500 and $5,000 in their first year. If they self-publish and promote well, they can do better.
Resources:
[1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Writers and Authors – Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm?channel=Organic&medium=Google%20-%20Search
[2] Authors Guild. (2018). Authors Guild Survey Shows Drastic 42 Percent Decline in Authors’ Earnings in Last Decade. https://authorsguild.org/news/authors-guild-survey-shows-drastic-42-percent-decline-in-authors-earnings-in-last-decade/?channel=Organic&medium=Google%20-%20Search
[3] Spines. Author Book Royalties: How Much Do Authors Get Paid? https://spines.com/author-book-royalties-how-much-do-authors-get-paid/
[4] Penn, J. (2016). Breakdown of Book Sales and Author Income. The Creative Penn. https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2016/06/03/breakdown-book-sales/
[5] WordsRated. How Much Do Authors Make? https://wordsrated.com/how-much-do-authors-make/
[6] Statista. Median Author Income in the United States by Year. https://www.statista.com/chart/16582/median-author-income-in-the-united-states-by-year/
[7] Hines, J. (2023). 2022 Writing Income. https://www.jimchines.com/2023/01/2022-writing-income/
