How Much Money I Made My First Year As An Indie Author

The Reality of Indie Publishing00:00:00

The author discusses the tendency to compare one's own writing progress to the highlight reels of others. She emphasizes that self-publishing is a long-term journey and challenges the taboo of discussing financial struggles.

Revenue Breakdown00:03:01

For the 2023 calendar year, the author reports a gross income of $741.19 from her first two books, with a net income of $542.42 after platform fees and distribution costs, noting that in-person sales were her most effective revenue stream.

Business Expenses00:05:36

The author details over $5,200 in business expenses, including cover design, contract labor, legal services, website hosting, ISBN purchases, and education. She explains that these costs represent significant upfront investments that will decrease in future years.

Marketing and Advertising Insights00:10:00

A critical look at marketing efforts, including the mixed results of Goodreads giveaways, the limited value of StoryOrigin for her specific needs, and the cost-benefit analysis of running Amazon ads, which did not yield significant returns.

Lessons and Future Outlook00:14:18

Despite operating at a loss, the author remains committed to her dream of writing full-time. She concludes by encouraging other struggling authors to focus on their own path and reminds them that success is a marathon, not a sprint.