How I Made Money As a Writer This Year

Photo by Jonathan Cooper on UnsplashHi Poets,

Some people are able to make their full living from writing (or writing-adjacent jobs), but most of us out there don't earn our entire living from writing. Most writers also have a “real job” that pays their rent and bills. Once at a writers conference, I was devastated to learn that one of my favorite authors from adolescence works full time as a paralegal and didn’t make her living off of the royalties she made from her novels. If she couldn’t make it as an author, could I? Well, I still don’t think I’m “making it” by any means. No, $10K doesn’t cover anyone’s living expenses in this day and age, but I’m making a lot more money from writing than I ever have before, and a lot more than other writers who are starting out. So if you’re curious about how I bring home the bacon (or the fakin’ if you’re veg)…

Here's how I earned a little over $10K from writing this year…Royalties

Most people think writers make their money from royalties. That might be true for some writers, but not me or anyone I know.

Royalties made up only 6.5% of my yearly earnings. A little bit more than $700.

Copy Editing

Almost a quarter of my yearly earnings came from copy editing.

Not exactly writing, but it's writing-adjacent.

I use my writing skills to help others write more clearly and concisely.

Half of my copy editing clients this year were repeat customers.

My new clients came from word of mouth or were connected to me already in a different way and then asked me about copy editing services.

Workshops

My next largest revenue stream was from facilitating workshops.

Half of my workshops were hosted by entities I have worked with already--repeat customers.

The other half were secured through cold emailing.

Ghostwriting

My next largest revenue stream was from ghostwriting.

Giving voice to those who have something to say, but don’t know how to say it.

(I am hoping to gain more ghostwriting clients so that ghostwriting becomes my largest revenue stream in 2025.)

Hustling

The rest of my revenue was earned in a hodge-podge of writing coaching, judging writing contests, prize money for winning contests or being published, transcription services, and copywriting. I have 11 total revenue streams. Yipes!

I hope this is helpful to other aspiring writers. If you’re not paying your rent with writing yet, fret not. Most writers I know have a “real job.” It doesn’t make you any less of a writer. Keep hustling, keep manifesting, keep writing.

Alright, that’s all folks! How did you earn money as a writer this year? Do you also have multiple revenue streams? Leave a comment so others can see how you’re making your writing dreams come true.Love,Anne MarieCheck me out in the places:

Facebook; Instagram

Or support me by buying my poetry collection