How Much Money Can You Make from Writing a Book?

Many aspiring writers dream of publishing a book and making a full-time living from their writing. The idea of seeing your book on shelves (or on Amazon) and earning passive income sounds amazing. But how much money can you actually make from writing a book? The answer depends on several factors, including whether you self-publish or go the traditional route, your book’s genre, your marketing strategy, and how many books you write. Some authors make a few dollars, while others make six or even seven figures. The key to success? Understanding the book market, setting realistic expectations, and treating writing like a business. In this article, I’ll break down how much money authors really make, the earnings potential for self-published vs. traditionally published books, and strategies to maximize your book income.

Can You Make Money from Writing a Book?

Yes, you can make money from writing a book—but how much depends on several key factors. Some authors make a few hundred dollars per year, while others earn thousands or even millions. The amount you earn depends on factors like your publishing route, book genre, marketing efforts, and the number of books you publish.

The publishing route you choose plays a major role in your earnings. Self-publishing gives you higher royalties per book sale but requires strong marketing skills, whereas traditional publishing provides an upfront advance but lower long-term royalties. The genre of your book also matters—certain genres, such as romance, mystery, and self-help, tend to generate more revenue than niche literary fiction. Additionally, how well you promote your book through social media, advertising, and email lists can significantly impact your income. Finally, publishing multiple books often leads to higher earnings, as readers who enjoy one book are likely to buy more from the same author. Some writers hit the jackpot with a bestselling book, but most build their income over time by publishing multiple books and developing a strong readership.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing Earnings

There are two main ways to publish a book: traditional publishing and self-publishing. Each path has different earning potentials and royalty structures. Traditional publishing involves selling your book to a publishing house (like Penguin Random House or HarperCollins), which handles editing, marketing, and distribution. The publisher pays the author in two main ways: advances and royalties.

Traditionally published authors receive an advance, which is a lump sum payment before the book is published. Advances can range from $1,000 to over $100,000, depending on the author’s experience and the book’s market potential. First-time authors often receive $5,000 to $10,000, while well-known authors can command six or seven-figure advances. However, the author does not earn additional royalties until the book sells enough copies to cover the advance.

Once the advance is “earned out,” the author begins receiving royalties, which are a percentage of the book’s sales. Traditional publishing royalties are typically 10%-15% for print books and around 25% for eBooks. For example, if a traditionally published book sells for $20, and the author earns 10% royalties, they make $2 per book sold. If they receive a $10,000 advance, they won’t earn royalties until 5,000 copies are sold.

The typical income for traditionally published authors varies widely. Beginner authors often make $5,000 - $30,000 per book, while mid-list authors can earn $30,000 - $100,000. Bestselling authors, on the other hand, can earn $100,000 - $1M+ per book, especially if they land major book deals. While traditional publishing can lead to large advances and mainstream recognition, most traditionally published authors cannot rely on one book to make a living—they need multiple books or additional income sources.

How Much Do Self-Published Authors Make?

Self-publishing allows authors to retain full control of their book and earn higher royalties. Authors publish their books through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Apple Books, Kobo, and IngramSpark. Unlike traditional publishing, there are no advances, but self-published authors earn higher royalties per sale.

Amazon KDP offers 35%-70% royalties for eBooks, depending on pricing and region. Paperback royalties vary between 40%-60% after printing costs, and audiobook royalties range from 25%-40% through platforms like ACX or Findaway Voices. For example, if a self-published author sells an eBook for $4.99 on Amazon at a 70% royalty rate, they make $3.49 per book after Amazon’s fees. If they sell 1,000 copies, they earn $3,490.

The typical income for self-published authors also varies widely. Beginner authors may earn $0 - $1,000 per month, while mid-level authors with multiple books can bring in $1,000 - $5,000 per month. Successful full-time authors, particularly those who write in high-demand genres, can make $5,000 - $50,000+ per month. Many self-published authors make passive income from their books, especially if they publish multiple books in a series. Some authors even earn six-figure or seven-figure incomes, but this requires consistent writing, effective marketing, and a strong reader base.

How Many Copies Do You Need to Sell to Make Money?

To understand potential earnings, let’s break down how many copies you need to sell to hit certain income goals. A traditionally published author earning 10% royalties on a $20 book would need to sell 500 copies per month to make $1,000 per month. Meanwhile, a self-published author earning 70% royalties on a $4.99 eBook would need to sell only 286 copies per month to reach the same income level. For higher income goals, a traditionally published author would need to sell 5,000 copies per month to make $10,000 per month, whereas a self-published author would only need 2,858 copies per month due to higher royalty rates. This comparison shows that self-published authors have the potential to earn more with fewer book sales compared to traditionally published authors. However, they must also handle marketing, book production, and distribution themselves.

How to Maximize Your Book Income

Regardless of how you publish, there are strategies to increase your earnings from book sales. Writing in a profitable genre is a great place to start. Some of the most lucrative book genres include romance, mystery & thriller, science fiction & fantasy, self-help, and young adult (YA). Choosing a genre with a dedicated readership increases your chances of selling more copies. Another effective way to boost earnings is by publishing multiple books. Most full-time authors do not rely on one book but build a backlist of multiple books to attract returning readers. This strategy is especially effective in fiction genres where readers binge-read book series.

Pricing strategy also plays a major role in book sales. Pricing eBooks competitively (between $2.99 - $4.99 for fiction and $4.99 - $9.99 for nonfiction) can increase sales volume. Enrolling in Kindle Unlimited (KU) allows authors to earn money from page reads, and running discount promotions helps boost visibility and attract new readers. Additionally, offering your book in multiple formats (eBook, paperback, audiobook) can significantly increase revenue streams. Different readers prefer different formats, so having your book available in various options maximizes sales potential.

Final Thoughts: How Much Can You Really Make?

There is no single answer to how much money you can make from writing a book—it depends on your publishing path, genre, marketing, and long-term strategy. Some authors make a few hundred dollars, while others earn six figures. The key to success? Consistency, quality, and smart marketing. Writing and publishing multiple books over time will increase your income and build a sustainable writing career. So, can you make money from writing a book? Absolutely. The question is—are you ready to put in the work?