This is encouraging and disheartening at the same time. Maybe one of my books will become one of those mutants that sells 2 million copies right out the gate.
http://www.kameronhurley.com/the-cold-publishing-equations-books-sold-marketability-love/
I have been friends with two authors who wrote best selling books who became millionaires from the royalties paid from sales of their manuscripts. In order to capture and hold the attention of those who become fans comes with a high price once making the best seller list.
ReplyDeleteAs any celebrity a personal and/or private life will be a thing of the past. Deadlines to write another hit after being advanced partial payment from the publisher for the next book not yet created in the mind of the author puts pressure and stress levels one can only imagine.
Should failure to deliver due for any reason (i.e. writer's block, health issues, family/personal crisis, etc.) will end it all in financial ruin and possibly end all personal and family relationships being divorce in most cases in final result. The advanced payment will require full refund to the publisher by the terms of the contract agreed and signed by the author.
Be careful what you ask for as you may just get it.
Very true and wise advice. Even Stephen King when he was arguably at the top of his game was a massive alcoholic and drug addict. And his wife almost divorced him.
DeleteThat being said, it would be nice to be able to make a living from my writing some day.
Thanks so much for the comments.