How Many Writers Get Rich? The Truth Might Shock You

The cold numbers behind the dream

Very few become millionaires (sorry, but yeah)

Let’s cut straight to it: most writers do not get rich. According to multiple surveys (like from the Authors Guild), median income for full-time authors hovers around $20,000–30,000 per year. Part-time? Way less.

Only a tiny percentage—some estimate under 1%—make it into the six-figure or millionaire club. We’re talking J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, James Patterson levels. Outliers. Unicorns.

I mean, there are thousands of books published every single day. Amazon alone sees around 4,000 new titles daily. That’s wild. So yeah, competition is brutal.

But what does “rich” even mean?

Financially independent vs. filthy rich

Being “rich” is relative. For some, making $100K a year from writing is life-changing. Others won't blink until there are seven zeros in their bank account.

A writer making consistent $60K/year doing what they love? That’s kind of rich in its own way. But if you're asking “Who gets filthy rich?”—the answer is: very, very few.

Different paths writers take (and their income levels)

Traditional publishing

Most first-time authors get an advance between $5,000 and $15,000. If the book doesn’t “earn out” (i.e., sell enough copies to cover that advance), they don’t see more. Royalties? Usually 10–15% on net sales.

Some mid-list authors make a modest living. But the ones raking it in? Either they're celebrities, or they’ve got a freakishly good agent and the perfect storm of timing + talent + luck.

Self-publishing

This one’s tricky. On one hand, you keep more of the profit. On the other, you pay for editing, design, marketing, etc. upfront. Some indie authors, especially in niches like romance, sci-fi, or business, make solid income (think 5–6 figures/year).

But again, that’s not most people. You need to treat it like a business—tracking ads, building an email list, publishing frequently. It’s work. I tried it once with a short story collection—made like $70 in 6 months. Still proud of it though.

Ghostwriting, content writing, freelance gigs

Now this is where more writers quietly make money. Maybe not “rich” money, but comfortable. Ghostwriters for influencers or CEOs can earn $20K–$50K per book. High-end copywriters? Some charge $10K+ per sales page.

So yeah—if you're open to not having your name on everything, this lane can be very lucrative.

What separates the wealthy few?

Quantity, quality... and timing

• Prolific writing: Wealthy writers don’t stop after one book. They write series. They build worlds. They keep going.

• Branding: They know their audience. They market like pros (or hire pros).

• Luck and timing: Yeah, let’s be honest—sometimes it’s just being in the right place at the right moment. Viral tweet? Oprah pick? Random algorithm boost? Boom.

They treat writing like a business

This is key. Rich writers often don't just write. They license. They adapt. They build courses, get into speaking gigs, launch newsletters, or start publishing companies. They think long-term, with strategy.

So... can you get rich from writing?

Technically yes, but it’s not a lottery ticket

Sure, you can. People do. But writing isn’t a golden ticket to wealth. It’s a grind. You need discipline, smart strategy, and a bit of magic dust.

Here’s the thing: if you’re only in it for the money, you might burn out. But if you write because you love it—because you have to—then even making a living from it is a kind of success that’s honestly richer than a paycheck.

Bottom line?
How many writers get rich? Not many. But some do. And more are figuring out how to earn well without being famous. The trick? Treat writing like both an art and a business. Be consistent, be smart, and yeah… be a little lucky.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.