Carol Denbow is the founder of Plain & Simple Books and the author of three books herself, including, A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story.
Jen: Welcome Carol. As you know, I am a freelance writer. So I would like to begin today by asking you; can the average person make their full-time living writing?
Carol Denbow: Well Jen, first off, thanks for having me here today. It’s difficult to find a full-time career by writing, unless you work for a media source, i.e., newspaper or magazine. Of course there are writers such as J.K. Rowling who I hear is reaching billionaire status—but we know those come few and far in between. If a person has a natural ability with words, is capable of extensive and accurate researching, and is educated enough for thorough editing, they should be able to make a decent wage writing. I think the biggest problem writers have is locating paying freelance jobs. If you don’t have a connection, agent, or some sense of where to find your market, you may be pointlessly exhausting your energy.
Jen: You mentioned J.K Rowling who has defiantly built a career as an author. So what about writing books for a living?
Carol Denbow: As far as book writing goes, rarely does a writer “show a profit” with a published book. The average book sells only 100 copies and usually the cost associated with producing the book far exceeds the profits. Of course here I am referring to self-publishing, but since over 75% of books are self-published, I think it’s worth mentioning.
Jen: If there typically isn’t a profit in book writing, why do you think so many people desire to write books?
Carol Denbow: Expression of self and a desire to be heard—that’s why. Of course there are those who seek fame as a best-selling author.
I think it goes back to the phrase, “for love or money!” Those writing for love will clearly find success 100% of the time. Those writing for money, well, they will struggle. I’m not saying all who write books for money are destined for failure; I’m just stating statistical factual averages. A handful of authors do make profits on their books so they see the best of both love and money.
If one desires to write a book, they should. It’s a very fulfilling and exciting adventure. But writers should keep their expectations at a reasonable level to avoid potential disappointments.
Jen: So if a writer decides to take the gamble and write their book, how can they beat the odds?
Carol Denbow: Writers need to first have a plan. Research the market to see what’s hot—what’s selling. Write accordingly and plan to market the book aggressively for at least 6 months before the books release date and the three years following. It takes authors presence to sell a book—be there! Authors who sit back and wait for their book to sell will be waiting a long, long time.
In my new book, A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story, I have an entire section devoted to book marketing including 25 Unique Ways to Sell Your Book. Authors who think outside the box have much better success with their book sales.
Jen: So where can a person find your books?
Carol Denbow: My books are all available through my Web site at http://www.freewebs.com/authorsbox, Amazon.com, and wherever fine books are sold.
I also have an information site for new writers and seasoned authors at http://ABookInside.Blogspot.com.
Jen: Thanks for stopping by today and good luck with the rest of your book tour.
To see where Carol’s tour is taking her next, visit her Web site. If anyone would like to leave a comment or question for Carol or myself, please use the “comment” link below.
Filed under: writing
Interesting interview, Jen! Carol is right on the money. I think a lot of authors think this is their ticket to having money come in and that’s so far from the truth unless you’re a bestselling author. Ask any author nowadays if they can live off their writing. However, I do believe Cody McFadyen who is on tour right now with Pump Up writes fulltime. But my recommendation is for writers to not look at it as income-producing and instead put one book out and work on the next and the next and the next. For those writers who are looking for ways to make money off their writings, I would look into ways other than authoring books. Do it for fun, not for profit. If profit happens, fine, but don’t count on it. I would love to review this book, Carol. Email me at thewriterslife@yahoo.com. I run a reviewing website called As the Pages Turn.
Even though I am a freelance writer making a living by writing for clients, I still agree with Carol that most writers will not be able to start and maintain a writing business for the simple reason that it IS a business. There are tons of administrative and technical things that go along with running any business. Writing is a product of my business. Marketing and searching for the next paying client is as much as 50 percent of what I do each day.
I’ve written several books and they have sold pretty well. However, marketing is the name of the game. Promoting a book can be a full-time job if you intend to sell enough to make a profit on a book.
Yvonne Perry
Thank you for your comment. You are “right on” as well! It’s very difficult to make a profit on books although not out of the question. If a published author is willing to work at it, they will see success. But…if they’re waiting for someone else to “take over,” i.e., their publisher, they may be waiting forever! Authors must take an active role in marketing their own books.
Thanks again for sharing!
Carol Denbow
I would like to thank everyone for their comments today. It’s always good to hear from experts in the field of book marketing–they are the source after all.
Jen, thank you for allowing my tour stop at your wonderful blog, it’s been a pleasure.
Thanks to all who stopped by to read this informative post!
Carol Denbow