Is It Hard to Make Money as an Author? The Truth You Need to Know

The Realities of Making Money as an Author

Well, I’ll be honest, this is one of those questions that most aspiring writers ask themselves at some point. And, if I’m being completely transparent, it’s not an easy one to answer. Is it hard to make money as an author? Honestly, it depends. I’ve been writing for a while now, and let me tell you—it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Sure, the dream of writing full-time and making a living off your books is something many of us cherish. But the path? Well, that’s a whole different story.

The Struggles of Getting Noticed

First of all, let’s talk about the real challenge: getting noticed. It's not enough to just write a good book. You have to market it, you have to network, and you have to stand out in a market that's flooded with new titles every single day. I remember when I first started, I thought, "I'll just write and the readers will come." Haha, naive me. It doesn't work like that. The truth is, even a great book can get lost in the noise if you don’t know how to push it.

The Different Ways Authors Make Money

Okay, let’s take a step back. There are actually several ways authors make money, and knowing these can give you a better perspective. I’ve had some success with a couple of these, but there’s definitely a learning curve. Let’s break them down.

1. Traditional Publishing

This is the route a lot of authors dream about. Signing a contract with a big publisher, seeing your book in bookstores, and getting a nice royalty check every few months. Sounds great, right? But honestly, it’s much harder to break into than people think. I have a friend who’s been working on her novel for years, submitting to agents, facing rejection after rejection. It’s tough, and you really need to be persistent.

And here’s the thing: even if you do get traditionally published, your royalties per book might not be as high as you think. Publishers take a big chunk of the sales, so your cut is usually somewhere between 10% and 15% for print books. When you do the math, it can feel pretty discouraging unless your book sells thousands of copies.

2. Self-Publishing

This is where things get interesting—and complicated. Self-publishing gives you more control and a higher royalty percentage (around 70% for eBooks on platforms like Amazon). But the hard part? You’re doing everything yourself: writing, editing, formatting, cover design, and yes, the marketing. I self-published a book last year, and let me tell you, it’s a lot of work! But if you can nail the marketing, you can potentially make a decent income.

3. Earning Through Multiple Streams

It’s really rare for an author to make money from a single book alone. So, most successful authors diversify. Some make money through speaking engagements, teaching writing workshops, or even freelance writing. I’ve started doing a few guest blogs and articles for websites, and that’s been a nice little extra income. Plus, it helps with visibility.

The Role of Marketing in an Author’s Success

Here’s the thing: writing the book is just half the battle. The other half? Marketing. I used to think that if my book was good enough, it would sell itself. Ha, if only. Honestly, I was kind of shocked when I realized how much time I had to spend promoting my work. Social media, email newsletters, book signings—it's endless. And guess what? You don’t just have to market your book, you have to market yourself as an author. That means building a brand, engaging with readers, and staying relevant in the conversation. It’s exhausting, but without it, your book may not get the attention it deserves.

The Importance of a Platform

You’ve probably heard the term "author platform" thrown around a lot. Well, it’s real, and it matters. The bigger your platform (social media following, email list, blog), the more likely your books will sell. This takes time, though. I started my social media accounts with just a few hundred followers, but it grew as I kept posting content, interacting with readers, and sharing my writing journey. Don’t expect overnight success.

Is It Worth It?

Honestly, I think this is where the true question lies. Is the struggle worth it? For me, the answer is yes. Sure, it’s hard. There are days when I want to throw in the towel. But writing is my passion. Even when the money doesn’t come pouring in, the satisfaction of creating something that others read and enjoy is worth more than any paycheck. But I won’t lie to you—it’s not easy, and it doesn’t happen quickly.

If you're thinking of making money as an author, you need to be realistic. It's not a get-rich-quick career, and it takes time, dedication, and a lot of hustle. But if you love writing, if you’re willing to put in the work, and if you can handle rejection (because, trust me, there will be a lot of it), then go for it. The money will come, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Conclusion: Making Money as an Author Takes Time and Effort

So, is it hard to make money as an author? Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It requires a combination of talent, persistence, and smart marketing. If you’re ready for the grind, you can definitely make it work. I’ve seen authors make six figures from self-publishing alone, and it’s not because they wrote one book and called it a day. It’s about consistency, growth, and learning how to navigate the business side of being an author.

In the end, if you’re in it for the love of writing, the rewards will be worth the effort, even if the financial success doesn’t happen immediately. Just keep at it, and who knows? You could be the next success story!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

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

How to get taller at 18?

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.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

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).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

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.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

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.