Authors and the Truth About Money
Update on the state of things
In March 2016, I wrote a version of this post on my website. It went semi-viral. My comments got flooded by people telling me I should self-publish. The Guardian invited me to write a follow-up piece — my first and so far only piece for them, because it attracted a tidal wave of personal attack. A lot has changed since then. Since I have now removed all blog posts from my freshly revamped website, and the issue of author earnings is back in the news, I thought I’d publish an updated version.
The Rich Writer Myth
One of the biggest myths about becoming a successful novelist is that it means you must be rolling in it. 'Six-figure-advance' trips off the tongue very easily, as if it were normal. 'Royalties' sounds juicy. Money: still something that people who want to write a novel want to write a novel for. I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I got a very handso…
