The depressing truth about money as an author – my experience publishing a book.

Hey Jenny, will there ever be an audiobook version of your novel?!

I got your book in Portugal just last month!

Jesus Christ your videos are all about getting paid.

This was really a wonderful & insightful video. I loved the twist at the end about writing just being what you're wired to do. That's how I feel about writing knitting patterns and tutorials. Thank you for this! ❤

Got your book from the library. Hope you get £1.00 but seems a little unbelievable?

The library where I work has your book. I often check our catalogue to borrow it, but it's always out!!! Recently I noticed that we now also have the paperback; same situation!! Congratulations 😊❤

As a sculptor I can relate. I'm facing similar issues but your truth sounds rather relieving and inspiring than depressing. Thank you for uplifting us, creatives. Can I order your book in epub format, for kindle in europe?

I loved your book and just preordered your second novel

Perfect, and the tempo was on point...

“Why spend thousands of hours on a project that will give you very little money?” For me it would simply be the thrill of seeing my work on the shelf at a bookstore.
BTW, I loved “Okay Days.” The gritty reality was so refreshing (and of course a happy ending!). ❤❤

I actually pre-ordered What a Time to be Alive this evening 😊 At the age of 40 I decided to go back to university next year and have been so frugal with my money because I refuse to work whilst studying lol But I absolutely had to make an exception for your second novel 🥰 I love, love Okay Days and am certain your newest novel will be nothing short of spectacular! Still crossing my fingers that Okay Days will be made into a film. Love and respect from Canada 🇨🇦

I will attend the event in Hamburg in november, I can´t wait to hear you reading from and talking about Okay Days.

Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for the highly informative video. I would most definitely be interested in an online writing & publishing course.

Maybe a big question but are you concerned about the potential of a recession and how inflation could affect publishing? If salaries do not rise to keep up with growing prices, I can only imagine "luxury" goods like books will take a hit as people try to keep food on the table. Very difficult because we need art to sustain us too.

Yes, please, video on influencer money!

I'm a technical writer and specialise in writing technical information for technical and non-technical readers. I actually suck at creative writing but my brain 100% suits technical writing.

Thanks you for this video ❤ so honest, motivating and real! I would love to publish something too! But being new to London makes things so hard 😢

Public lending right generates about 25-30p per book loan, not £1 per book. I wish ! The amount changes every year depending on the funding available, which affects the loan rate and distribution of payments. There is a minimum and maximum amount that an author is allowed to receive from PLR.

Yes, I would be very interested in the financial aspect of your social media work! Some insight would be very helpful to get a realistic picture. Thank you so much for being transparent!

Love this ❤ Creators need to create

I went to my local bookshop today in Germany and saw your German version of the okay days :o I was so surprised and I bought it immediately although I already have the English version haha love your work ❤

I just realise with this video that i was Happy doing my art and writing stories until someone told me that if im not making money with It, then is useless... Then i try so hard to sell everything that i do and is not fun anymores.

Wonderful little inspiring video, specially the end. Lovely, Jenny, and I do think you'll make it!

Really interesting, Jenny. Thanks for laying this all out.

I tried to get your book (Okay Days)via the library(online) here in California but they only have it in German and Portuguese. 😮I'll put a request for English version!

Writing is unfortunately many times not something you should do for the money, but because that what's you are called to do.

Did you not get published in Sweden?

Dear Jenny, I enjoyed „okay days“ and I just preordered „what a time to be alive“. 😊 You and David are an amazing team – all you do is carved to perfection. I absolutely respect your strong ideas and ideals and your individual sense for style.
Way to go! Love from Germany XOXOX Rebecca

I had no idea that an author benefited financially when I borrowed a book from the library. Win-win

I really haven't found yet what my brain is supposed to do. I give it a lot of thought, but, at 34, I'm not there yet. Thanks for encouraging us to keep looking.

This is SO helpful for aspiring writers!

The truth is you’re not going to make much money writing a book as most people don’t even have one in them.
Write NOT to become rich but because you have something to say

Thank you for sharing! Very illuminating. Given your platform already suggests some readers, makes me wonder how unknown authors manage to break into this field at all! I buy a few dozen books every year, most of them pre-orders. I sometimes don’t end up liking and finishing my mystery buys but I don’t return them so new authors can get a better chance starting out. I have read first novels of some of my now favourite authors that I found barely readable so it’s definitely worth giving people a second (and third and so on) chance. Without that, a lot of greatness would be lost to drawers…

Romania?! Really?! I need to find it :)

Super informative video! And the ending bit was simply inspiring <3 Thank you!

This video was perfect timing. I have just received an Amazon voucher. Didn’t know what I wanted to use it for. Just went online and cannot wait for your book to arrive.

Hi Jenny,
Thank you for being so transparent about your experiences! I’m working on a book at the moment so this is really helpful. I’m Dutch and living in London and I feel like we have a lot in common. I’ve been following your journey for a while now and it’s really inspiring! X

🥰

I now cant find the specific video, but I remember John Green talking about the importance of libraries for authors. Unfortunately, I do not remember (or even believe :( ) anything about authors getting royalties from borrowings, but libraries bring so many other additional benefits! But the biggest one I remember is that it is a really big way to get seen, known and loved by more and more people, which will then create bigger and bigger demand for your books in the future

Narrative non-fiction authors don't earn much either, I'm afraid... But nothing feels better than seeing your own book in a bookstore, so it's worth it!

Can you please also make a video about your influencer work?

The same is true for musicians. I made an album for the love of the music. I'm not anwhere close to breaking even, but I'm proud of my work.

I have written and published four books in the last five years, all published by a small independent publisher, they have done "well" considering most books do "badly". There is hope my next book(s) will be bigger, but the process of writing is what counts, the end result is all but a bonus.
I envy writers that thouroughly enjoy the process. I am like a pendulum that constantly swings between "this is what I was meant to do" and "what the hell am I doing?". I never let anyone read anything that I don't consider "good" on some level, so sometimes I will re-write a chapter several times. Once the manuscript is done, I forget about it. I move on to the next thing. If it does not do well, I know I did my best. If it does do well, bonus.

Super interesting to learn about the process! Thanks Jenny!

My question would be. Where to look for and how to find a good agent? Thank you.

Such an interesting video to hear that side of things! Thanks for sharing :)

I admire you so much Jenny <3 You motivate me to work harder

Fantastic video Jenny, many thanks!

Thank you for this!