Do Self-Published Books Make Money?
Self-publishing has become a powerful way for authors to bring their stories to the world without relying on traditional publishing houses. However, one of the most common questions aspiring authors ask is: Do self-published books actually make money? The short answer is yes—self-published books can generate income, and some authors make full-time careers out of it. However, success in self-publishing is not guaranteed. Some books sell thousands of copies, while others barely sell at all. Many factors influence how much money a self-published book can make, including the author's marketing efforts, the book’s genre, cover design, and pricing strategy. In this guide, we’ll explore how self-published authors make money, what affects book sales, and realistic expectations for earnings in the indie publishing world.
How Do Self-Published Authors Make Money?:
Unlike traditionally published authors, who receive advances and royalties through publishing houses, self-published authors make money directly from their book sales and additional revenue streams. Here’s a closer look at how indie authors generate income.
Royalties from Book Sales:
The primary way self-published authors make money is through book royalties—earnings received every time a book is sold. Different self-publishing platforms offer different royalty rates. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) pays 35%-70% royalties for eBooks, depending on the book price and country. Paperback royalties vary after printing costs are deducted. Barnes & Noble Press offers 40%-65% royalties for eBooks and variable royalties for print books. Apple Books, Kobo, and Google Play Books generally pay 50%-70% royalties for eBooks. Unlike traditional publishing, where authors typically earn 10%-15% per book sold, self-published authors retain a much larger percentage of the profits, sometimes as high as 70% per book sold. However, making money still depends on book sales volume and how well the book is marketed.
Kindle Unlimited (KDP Select) Earnings:
Amazon offers self-published authors the opportunity to enroll in Kindle Unlimited (KU) through its KDP Select program. Instead of earning per book sold, authors are paid based on the number of pages read by subscribers. While payments from Kindle Unlimited are often lower than direct book sales, many authors find it beneficial because readers can discover their books without upfront purchases. KU books also rank better on Amazon due to higher engagement, generating passive income, especially for long books or book series.
Direct Sales from an Author Website:
Many self-published authors sell books directly from their websites using platforms like Shopify, Payhip, or Gumroad. This allows authors to keep 100% of the profits, cutting out the middleman. However, it requires an active audience, strong branding, and marketing skills to drive traffic to the author's website.
Audiobook Royalties:
The audiobook market is booming, and many self-published authors make money by producing audiobooks. Authors can distribute audiobooks through platforms like Audible (ACX), which pays a 40% royalty for exclusive distribution or 25% for non-exclusive rights. Other platforms like Findaway Voices allow wider audiobook distribution with better royalty control. Audiobooks can be expensive to produce (narrators cost $100-$400 per finished hour), but they provide another long-term passive income stream. Some authors also use AI-narrated audiobooks as a lower-cost alternative.
Merchandising, Courses, and Other Revenue Streams:
Successful indie authors often expand beyond book sales by monetizing their brand. Some common strategies include selling merchandise such as T-shirts, posters, bookmarks, and mugs. Others teach online courses about writing or self-publishing, offer coaching or mentorship for aspiring writers, or use Patreon or Kickstarter for exclusive content and community support. By diversifying income streams, authors can stabilize their income and make money even when book sales fluctuate.
How Much Money Do Self-Published Books Make?:
Earnings in self-publishing vary widely. While some authors make a few dollars a month, others generate six-figure incomes. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Beginner Authors (0-6 months): $0 - $100/month
Part-Time Authors (6-12 months): $100 - $1,000/month
Mid-Level Authors (1-3 years, multiple books published): $1,000 - $5,000/month
Full-Time Authors (3+ years, strong backlist, effective marketing): $5,000 - $50,000+ per month
Not all self-published books make money. Success depends on several key factors.
Choosing the Right Genre:
Some genres are more profitable than others. High-demand genres include romance (especially subgenres like dark romance and billionaire romance), mystery and thriller, science fiction and fantasy, young adult (YA), and self-help or personal development.
Books in niche genres like experimental fiction or poetry may have a harder time selling unless the author has a dedicated audience.
Book Quality (Editing, Cover, and Formatting):
A professionally edited book with an eye-catching cover sells significantly better than one with typos and amateur design. Investing in editing, a high-quality cover, and proper formatting makes a big difference in credibility and sales.
Marketing & Advertising:
Many self-published authors fail because they don’t invest in marketing. Some essential strategies include running Amazon Ads & Facebook Ads, promoting books on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, building an email list for repeat customers, and using BookBub & Freebooksy promotions to gain visibility.
Without marketing, even the best book can remain invisible.
Number of Books Published (The Backlist Effect):
Most full-time self-published authors do not rely on a single book. Instead, they build a backlist of multiple books, increasing their income through:
Series-based books where readers buy multiple books in a row
Frequent releases that keep them in Amazon’s algorithm
Box sets and omnibus editions for higher-priced sales
Authors who publish at least 3-5 books generally see better financial results than those who publish only one.
Final Verdict: Do Self-Published Books Make Money?:
Yes, self-published books can make money, but it requires effort, strategy, and consistency. Some authors earn only a few hundred dollars a year, while others turn self-publishing into a full-time career. Success depends on choosing a profitable genre, investing in high-quality editing and cover design, mastering marketing strategies such as Amazon ads and social media promotion, and publishing multiple books to build a strong backlist. Unlike a get-rich-quick scheme, self-publishing is a long-term business that rewards authors who are persistent and willing to learn. By treating it as an investment and continuously improving their craft and marketing efforts, authors can maximize their chances of financial success. Would you like help planning your self-publishing strategy?
Sources:
authorsguild.org
blog.reedsy.com
gillianperkins.com
allianceindependentauthors.org
theguardian.com