Last Updated on February 18, 2023 by Nathaniel Tower
I have a confession: I don’t make a living as a writer.
Writing is not my day job.
In fact, I rarely write at all these days, outside of lots of emails and some marketing strategies. And the occasional blog post.
But I used to write a lot, and I used to make some decent money doing it. Even today, I manage to bring in a few dollars here and there as a writer, mostly by selling short stories and doing a few odd freelance jobs.
So how does one earn a living as a writer? Or even make decent money doing it?
I have some really good news for you: if you are passionate about writing, there are tons of ways to earn money from your craft. You’ll probably enjoy some of these options a lot more than others, but this post will walk you through a lot of different ways to earn money by doing what you love.
How Much Money Do Writers Make?
This is a great and challenging question to answer because it depends on so many factors. Are you a full-time writer? What type of writing do you do? Do you write primarily fiction or technical documents? Are you a long-form writer or a copywriter?
There are tons of different types of writers, and if you want to find out how much professional writing jobs can net you, I encourage you to check out websites like Indeed that allow you to search by job type and job location.
I’m going to tackle this from a more general approach, and I’m going to look at it specifically for fiction writers.
The amount of money that fiction writers make can vary widely, depending on factors such as the writer’s level of experience, the genre they write in, the success of their books, and the publishing model they use.
According to a 2020 survey by the Authors Guild, the median income for all published authors was $6,080, with full-time authors earning a median income of $28,940. However, it’s important to note that these figures represent the median, meaning that half of all authors earned more and half earned less.
Writers who are able to secure a traditional publishing contract with a major publisher may receive an advance against royalties, which is a sum of money paid upfront to the author before the book is published. Advances can range from a few thousand dollars to six or seven figures, depending on the author’s track record and the potential commercial success of the book.
Self-published authors have the potential to earn more money per book sold, since they typically receive a larger percentage of the book’s retail price than traditionally published authors. However, self-publishing requires the author to take on all of the costs of publishing and marketing the book themselves.
Overall, while some highly successful authors can earn millions of dollars per year, the vast majority of fiction writers earn a modest income from their writing.
How Can Fiction Writers Make More Money?
Ultimately, if you want to make more money as a fiction writer, it involves more than simply becoming a better writer. You may have to get a little lucky or writer something other than fiction if you really want to make a living.
Here are some options to consider if you’d like to continue writing fiction while also making more money as a writer:
Freelance writing
Many writers earn money by writing articles, blog posts, marketing copy, and other types of content for clients. Freelance writing can be a flexible and lucrative way to earn money while also building your writing skills and portfolio.
Freelance writers can earn anywhere from a few cents per word for low-paying work to several dollars per word for high-paying markets. On average, freelance writers may earn around $0.10 to $0.50 per word, depending on their niche and experience.
Teaching writing
Writers can also earn money by teaching writing courses, workshops, or seminars. This can be done online or in-person, and can be a great way to share your knowledge and help other writers while earning income. This doesn’t have to be done in a formal setting; you can teach small groups via Zoom or set up some workshops locally.
Writing instructors can earn anywhere from $20 to $200 per hour, depending on their level of experience, location, and the type of class they are teaching. Online writing courses and webinars may pay less, while in-person workshops and seminars may pay more.
Editing and proofreading
Many writers also work as freelance editors or proofreaders, helping other writers improve their work before publication. This can be a good source of income, especially if you have a strong eye for detail and an ability to provide constructive feedback.
Freelance editors and proofreaders may charge anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour, depending on their experience and the level of editing required. Some may also charge per word or per page. Keep in mind that it also depends on what you are editing/proofreading. You won’t make as much money editing novels or serving as a beta reader as you will proofreading technical manuals.
Copywriting
Copywriting is a specialized type of writing that involves creating marketing materials such as ads, product descriptions, and promotional emails. Many businesses and organizations are in need of skilled copywriters, making this a potential source of income for writers.
Copywriters may earn anywhere from $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on their level of experience and the type of content they are creating. A short ad or social media post may pay less, while longer-form content like website copy or whitepapers may pay more.
If you get a full-time job as a copywriter and work your way up to a senior copywriter at a big ad agency, you could easily make well into the six figures.
Content creation for businesses
With the rise of social media and digital marketing, businesses are often in need of writers to create content for their websites, blogs, and social media accounts. This can be a lucrative way for writers to use their skills and earn income.
The pay for content creation can vary greatly depending on the company, the type of content, and the writer’s experience. Some writers may earn a flat fee per project, while others may be paid by the word or hour.
If you want to become a full-time content writer, you can earn a lot of money, but these jobs can be difficult to get.
Other creative pursuits
Some writers supplement their income by pursuing other creative endeavors, such as writing screenplays or creating artwork. These pursuits may not be directly related to writing, but can still provide a source of income while allowing writers to explore their creative passions.
The amount a writer can earn from other creative pursuits, such as screenwriting or creating artwork, can vary widely depending on the project and the market demand. Some writers may earn a flat fee per project, while others may be paid a percentage of the project’s profits. It’s difficult to estimate an average pay rate for these types of projects, as they can vary widely.
Other Ways to support Your Fiction Writing
No matter which option you choose to pursue to make extra money to support your fiction writing, keep in mind that doing other types of writing may help you become a better writer, but it also may impact your creative energy. If you spend 6-8 hours doing freelance technical writing every day, you may not feel like working on your novel or writing a short story at the end of the day.
Here are a few additional options to consider if you’d like to make money and still be a fiction writer:
Grants and fellowships: Writers can apply for grants and fellowships to fund their creative projects or cover their living expenses while they work on their writing. These opportunities may be offered by organizations, foundations, or government agencies.
Literary contests: There are numerous literary contests that offer cash prizes to winners. Writers can submit their work to these contests in hopes of winning a cash prize, as well as gaining recognition and exposure for their writing.
Ghostwriting: Ghostwriters are writers who write content for someone else and do not receive credit for their work. Ghostwriters may be hired to write books, articles, speeches, or other types of content for clients.
Translation: Writers who are fluent in more than one language can make money by translating written works from one language to another. Translators may work on books, articles, websites, or other types of content.
Public speaking: Writers who have expertise in a particular subject or genre may be invited to speak at conferences, events, or workshops. Public speaking can be a lucrative way to share your knowledge and promote your writing.
Writing for media outlets: Writers can write for newspapers, magazines, or online media outlets, which can pay per article or on a contract basis. Some writers also create and produce content for podcasts, video content, and other multimedia outlets. Some of these publications also will pay per view of the post you publish, so it’s important to consider SEO best practices as you write.
How to Get Started
You aren’t likely to get rich quickly as a fiction writer. If you are looking to start making more money as a writer today, here are some things you should start doing right away:
Build a portfolio: Writers should create a portfolio of their best writing samples to showcase their skills and experience. This can be done by creating a website, a blog, or a portfolio on a freelance platform like Upwork or Contena.
Network: Networking is a great way to connect with potential clients and find new writing opportunities. Writers should join writing groups, attend writing conferences and events, and connect with other writers on social media to build their network.
Pitch to clients: Writers should research potential clients and pitch their services directly. This can be done by sending a personalized email or submitting a proposal through a freelance platform.
Look for freelance opportunities: Freelance platforms like Upwork, Contena, and Fiverr are great places for writers to find freelance opportunities. These platforms allow writers to create a profile and bid on projects that match their skills and experience.
Write for content mills: While not the most lucrative option, writers can write for content mills such as Textbroker or iWriter to get started. These sites pay writers a low rate per word, but they can help writers build their portfolio and gain experience.
One thing about content mills is that they can open the door for other opportunities. Some of my first writing gigs were through content mills, and an editor from a larger publication actually requested that I come do writing directly for her. Don’t pass on these smaller opportunities because they might grow into something bigger.
Consider self-publishing: If a writer has a completed manuscript or book, they can consider self-publishing on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. This allows writers to earn royalties on their book sales and can be a good source of passive income.
Final Thoughts on Making Money As a Fiction Writer
It’s important to pursue your passions in life. Most lifestyles also require that you earn some money in order to be happy and successful. The amount of money you can make as a fiction writer can vary widely, and it can take years and years to work your way up to being a successful writer who is really able to make a living writing fiction. Most writers never actually get there. That’s okay. Not earning a living off your short stories doesn’t make you any less of a writer.
Honestly, at the end of the day, as cheesy as they may sound, the most important thing you can do as a writer is just keep writing. If you love what you do and take pleasure from your work, then you will be successful!
What other tips do you have for making money as a writer? Share your advice in the comments, and don’t forget to share this post on all your favorite channels.
