Self-publishing tools might make it easier to get published, but writing a book is a tough way to make a living. In fact, according to a new survey from Digital Book World, indie authors make about $500-999 a year, much less than traditionally published authors who still only earn an average of $3,000-4,999 a year.
Hybrid authors, writers that take both routes, do better and earn an average of $7,500–$9,999 a year. The survey includes online feedback from 1,879 published authors of which 56 percent are self-published, 13 percent who are traditionally published and 31 percent who do both.
The Guardian has more:
Overall, half of the writers – traditional and independent – surveyed this year earned $1,000– $2,999 or less. At the top end, almost 10% earned $100,000 or more, with 4.1% earning $250,000 or more.