Last day to sign up for my ARC team! Also, thoughts on success, the metrics we use, and strategies for determining what WE want from our writing careers and lives in general.
First Cup of Coffee – February 28, 2025
//Tag: income
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Beyond Book Sales: Other Ways to Earn Income as an Author
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This week at the SFF Seven, we’re asking about book-related income that is specifically not from book sales.
There was an asterisk to that, specifying that the question was in relation to the Authors Guild 2023 Income Survey, which I didn’t read. (I have Opinions about that survey, which I won’t go into.) But I assume the question comes from the survey dividing author income into book-related and not, and the person asking is wondering what the “not” might be. It’s a good question because I’m a firm believer that long-term success in this fickle business relies on diversifying income streams.
I actually have a line on my income spreadsheets that says “Other Writing Income,” as opposed to the “Book Sales” line. What kind of income is that?
- My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JeffesCloset. This is how I offer mentoring and coaching to other writers. Plus, it’s a great little community that’s truly supportive and positive in a non-toxic way.
- Other kinds of coaching. I also offer various kinds of one-on-one mentoring and coaching.
- Workshops, presentations, and master classes. I love giving talks and I especially love it when they pay me!
- Articles and similar nonfiction writing. Love getting paid for those, too!
- YouTube. I have a podcast, First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy, with enough subscribers that I earn income from the views.
First Cup of Coffee – January 3, 2023
//A bit more on how I’ve increased my author income stream over the last 7 seven years so that I can make my living as a writer, my strategies, why a robust backlist is key, and how I’m refining my approach for 2023.
First Cup of Coffee – January 2, 2023
//I’m reviewing my author earnings for 2022 as compared to prior years, talking trad vs. indie income and how a robust backlist is key to earning a living as a write. Also some distressing news about Robin Perini.
First Cup of Coffee – January 4, 2022
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2021: A Good Year for Me
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Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is: “It’s Been A Year: Pandemic Year 2, Vaccines, New Political Administration, has it affected your writing? Better? Worse?”
I confess, this has been a good year for me. As James discussed on Monday, it’s been a huge relief to me to have sanity in the White House again. Yeah, there’s a lot of political stuff that’s still not where I’d like it to be, but it’s so much better than it was. I feel like we’re at least working to solve the problems we’re facing rather than digging ourselves deeper.
I’m really happy we got vaccinated early in the year, too. My hubs and I took the opportunity to drive to Amarillo, TX to get ours. (A four-hour drive each way.) We got our second dose by March 8. That was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience (I hope!), knowing that sheer, sweet relief of being vaccinated against COVID-19. It restored a sense of safety and wellbeing that I’d missed for pretty much exactly a year.
Also, I’m one of those who became more productive in my writing during the pandemic, largely because I wasn’t traveling, I think. I talk about this a lot, but having a daily writing habit carried me through even the worst of the anxiety. That habit is the foundation that allows everything else to be stable. I know this can be aggravating to people who can’t write every day for various reasons, but I’m such a huge believer in the magic of ritual and building a habit that carries you through the rough patches. Still, I say this as a writer who spent many, many years not being very productive.
This is way better.
So, though we’re only 84% of the way through the year so far (and yes, I’m counting today, since it’s morning for me), I’m calling it a good year for me. In particular, I’m thrilled by this graph of my income from royalties and book sales. As you can see, 2021 has been my best income-from-writing year ever, and that’s with two months to go. It also doesn’t count income from other sources, like teaching workshops and author coaching.
I’m really proud of myself for the work I put in to make this happen.
How about you all – are things looking up in your neck of the woods?
Real Information on Author Finances
//Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is again eerily timely. We’re talking writer finances. How do you budget for uneven income? What’s your biggest expense?
With so many people struggling financially due to the #COVID19 shutdowns, managing money is heavy on many people’s minds. It’s odd to find myself well-equipped to deal with this because – as a full-time writer with no other income and with a non-salaried spouse who does not provide me with health insurance – I am always juggling the financial balls. Come on over to learn more!
First Cup of Coffee – January 6, 2020
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Why Being an Author Is the Best Job I’ve Ever Had
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This little cactus is growing – and blooming away! – beneath the shelter of this much larger paddle cactus. I think of this, not as hiding its light under a bushel, but welcoming the sheltering strength of a friend. Go, little cactus, go!
Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is our favorite part and least favorite part of being an author. Come on over to find out why I love this career!