I love that you're sharing this. As a newer indie author as well, it is so hard to gauge where you stand. You're so right. The writers making 2K, 5K, 10K, + per month are super happy to share, but most of aren't making anything close to that. One day hopefully, but until then, it's awesome to hear from authors in a similar position. Keep up the great videos! And best of luck in your writing career!
My publishing schedule is what's keeping me grounded, for this year. I just put out my first full novel in about 10 years, and while I'm doing far better than I expected, I know I have to keep writing and get that backlist chonky.
I love these little updates! It's so refreshing to see a fellow author being so transparent and real. It's awesome that some authors can make thousands of dollars per month but they never show where they started from. Thank you again for posting these kind of videos! So needed right now for newbie authors.
Yes! I'm so excited for the day I'll (hopefully) be making thousands, but we all start somewhere (unless your book randomly goes mega viral, but even then I'd still like to hear more about what went on behind the scenes with writing/ marketing)!
It sounds like you're killing it. I published my first book, mystery action, in Jan. this year. In my my total KDP payout will come to $23.49. Far below the ad spend.
Thanks so much, me too! Maybe I felt like it was so slow because social media has been slowing down, but my sales were still good, all things considered! 🙌
I think the dip on weekends could be due to weekly rituals being off on the weekends. I read nightly on the weekdays but more sporadically during the weekends because I spend more time with my partner and friends.
I always love self pub income videos! They're so inspiring to see other people growing in this industry. I fully agree with growing the backlist. I also only have 2 books out right now and even with little marketing they still sell little bits here and there. Imagine a little bit times 10 or however many books you put out!
I think it might be reading on the go or during a break or after hours to come down. I personally clean and do chores during the weekend I didn’t have time for during the week. And if course, summer is here/coming, so people do more outside things to enjoy the weather.
Hey Lindsey! So glad your vid popped up randomly in my feed! Great info, and thanks for the transparency. I use KDP already for low/mid content, but Im hoping to get an actual high content /written book up there eventually! Biggest problem now is having no idea how to format a written book - margins, words per page, font size, etc - since I'm just gonna be writing it on my older laptop and dont have fancy software lol. Anyway, keep up the good work, and content, and I'm sure if people read your first book and like it, they'll get the rest eventually!
Thanks for taking the time to watch my video! That's an exciting new venture! I know Bethany has this great video or series about formatting in Microsoft Word: th-cam.com/video/PcE4Dt-QvCU/w-d-xo.html There are tons of ways you can format, even in Google Docs, Pages, or there are affordable formatting services out there too.
Interesting breakdown, thank you for sharing. It feels like you’re happy with the performance, but I have to ask: how do you feel about the performance of your books? And another question, how does this affect your motivation and work on the third book?
Thanks! I'm really proud of how they're doing. I knew from pretty early on that these stories would converge, so I'm really excited to finish writing and release the third book. I'm also a little hopeful that when it comes out, it'll draw more people in because they can binge the completed trilogy and not have to wait.
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I had to do multiple searches to find your book on the uk amazon store. I'm not sure if this is something you have control over but it could be affecting your sales outside of the US.
Hi, I’m an indie author and I loved your video 🥰 you should be seeing better read through to your second book. Have you checked your funnel to make sure that you don’t have any broken links?
Thanks fellow indie author! All of my links are working, but I probably need to be more strategic about where in the back matter the links are for the second book in the ebook format. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears!
Why don't you make hard cover books? I also see that you've priced your paperbacks at $18.99. Isn't that somewhat high priced for a paperback? I really don't know, but it seems high and just want to understand the market.
I can't speak to Lindsey's numbers directly, but for my paperbacks through Amazon, Amazon charges me, (or they charge the reader/purchaser, depending on how you look at it) around $9 to print and ship the book. (my wordcount/book size/paper type/etc. Again Lindsey's cost would be somewhat different) So I have to set a price higher than $9 to make anything. Then whatever "profit" is left after the printing costs, Amazon splits with me. So for my paperback books I actually make less per book (around $2 each) than I would if my readers by the $4.99 ebook version. Hard to believe for a lot of readers I've talked to, but that's the reality of a print-on-demand service like Amazon. If the author wants to upfront the printing cost of 2-5K books they can bring the price way down but most of us cant afford to do that.
Hello! @j.scottmiles hit the nail on the head. I agree that $18.99 is a little bit high, but if you look at the print book market as of late, the prices have raised significantly in the last few years. I believe the cost of paper has gone up which leads to a lot of that. But yes, Amazon charges to print and ship the book, so when all is said and done, I make a few dollars per physical copy, and I typically end up making more when people buy the ebook. As for hard cover books, I do have one currently for the second book in the series, but I'm working on an alternate hardback cover for the first book that features an object instead of a person and different chapter artwork. I might end up making that alternate cover its own listing in both paper and hardback, but gave myself the room to do just a different edition for the hardback on that same listing.
It's possible their parents let them use e-readers and ipads or schools sometimes provide them. I would suggest looking at other comparable books in your genre and age range and just see if they even list ebooks. Definitely don't count it out, when it could be a whole other revenue source!
Hi Lindsey Elizabeth! I just watched your video on indie auther income. Your content is amazing, and I believe with a bit of professional touch on video editing and thumbnails, your channel can reach even greater heights. I specialize in video editing, thumbnail creation, and account SEO. If you're interested, I'd love to help you enhance your channel. Let's chat!
Awesome! Thank you! I'm not actively looking for an editor, but I'm open to it. Feel free to shoot me an email at lindseyelizabethdesigns@gmail.com with your rates and some examples.
I love that you're sharing this. As a newer indie author as well, it is so hard to gauge where you stand. You're so right. The writers making 2K, 5K, 10K, + per month are super happy to share, but most of aren't making anything close to that. One day hopefully, but until then, it's awesome to hear from authors in a similar position. Keep up the great videos! And best of luck in your writing career!
Yes! Thank you, that's exactly why I love sharing! Best of luck to you as well 😄
My publishing schedule is what's keeping me grounded, for this year. I just put out my first full novel in about 10 years, and while I'm doing far better than I expected, I know I have to keep writing and get that backlist chonky.
Yess, chonk up that backlist! And congrats on the book release!
I love these little updates! It's so refreshing to see a fellow author being so transparent and real. It's awesome that some authors can make thousands of dollars per month but they never show where they started from. Thank you again for posting these kind of videos! So needed right now for newbie authors.
Yes! I'm so excited for the day I'll (hopefully) be making thousands, but we all start somewhere (unless your book randomly goes mega viral, but even then I'd still like to hear more about what went on behind the scenes with writing/ marketing)!
It sounds like you're killing it. I published my first book, mystery action, in Jan. this year. In my my total KDP payout will come to $23.49. Far below the ad spend.
Thanks, I appreciate it! Congrats on your debut!
I know it was a slow month, but I'm still so stoked that you're breaking even! 🙌🏾 Congrats on a good May, all things considered!
Thanks so much, me too! Maybe I felt like it was so slow because social media has been slowing down, but my sales were still good, all things considered! 🙌
How fun that your numbers are increasing! I love how excited you are. 😊
Thank you so much!!
I think the dip on weekends could be due to weekly rituals being off on the weekends. I read nightly on the weekdays but more sporadically during the weekends because I spend more time with my partner and friends.
I think you might be on to something!
Hey! I'm a fellow indie author too. (I just published my first book). Love these honest, update videos that you make. Very positive and inspiring 😁
Ahhh congrats on publishing your book!!! Thanks so much 🫶
Inspirational! Keep it up Lindsey!
Thanks so much! I love making these updates and sharing the journey 🫶
I always love self pub income videos! They're so inspiring to see other people growing in this industry.
I fully agree with growing the backlist. I also only have 2 books out right now and even with little marketing they still sell little bits here and there. Imagine a little bit times 10 or however many books you put out!
Thank you!! I always love making them, if nothing else, I can always look back at where I started. Right, the future is so exciting!!
I think it might be reading on the go or during a break or after hours to come down.
I personally clean and do chores during the weekend I didn’t have time for during the week. And if course, summer is here/coming, so people do more outside things to enjoy the weather.
That's a great point! I also do a lot of chores on the weekend, and I think wanting to be outside when it's nice out is a huge factor!
Audiobooks! Perfect for doing chores. 😊
Hey Lindsey! So glad your vid popped up randomly in my feed! Great info, and thanks for the transparency.
I use KDP already for low/mid content, but Im hoping to get an actual high content /written book up there eventually! Biggest problem now is having no idea how to format a written book - margins, words per page, font size, etc - since I'm just gonna be writing it on my older laptop and dont have fancy software lol.
Anyway, keep up the good work, and content, and I'm sure if people read your first book and like it, they'll get the rest eventually!
Thanks for taking the time to watch my video! That's an exciting new venture! I know Bethany has this great video or series about formatting in Microsoft Word: th-cam.com/video/PcE4Dt-QvCU/w-d-xo.html
There are tons of ways you can format, even in Google Docs, Pages, or there are affordable formatting services out there too.
Thank you for the transparecy!
Of course! Thanks for watching!
Yay! I’ve been looking for more fellow dark romance authors to subscribe to!! 😍
romance authors unite! 🙌
i’m placing my order for your first book. can’t wait to read it!!!!😊
Ahhhh, thanks so much! I hope you enjoy it! 😊
If I ask for you to sign it, then you’ll know I liked it. Haha. ❤
Interesting breakdown, thank you for sharing. It feels like you’re happy with the performance, but I have to ask: how do you feel about the performance of your books? And another question, how does this affect your motivation and work on the third book?
Thanks! I'm really proud of how they're doing. I knew from pretty early on that these stories would converge, so I'm really excited to finish writing and release the third book. I'm also a little hopeful that when it comes out, it'll draw more people in because they can binge the completed trilogy and not have to wait.
This is great, thanks for sharing!❤
Thanks for watching! 😊
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I had to do multiple searches to find your book on the uk amazon store. I'm not sure if this is something you have control over but it could be affecting your sales outside of the US.
I don't know if I have much control over that, but it's something I'll be looking into. Thanks for letting me know!
Hi, I’m an indie author and I loved your video 🥰 you should be seeing better read through to your second book. Have you checked your funnel to make sure that you don’t have any broken links?
Thanks fellow indie author! All of my links are working, but I probably need to be more strategic about where in the back matter the links are for the second book in the ebook format. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears!
@@itslindseeey I put mine as a clickable link on the last page immediately after the last paragraph 🥰
Love that! Thank you; I’ll give it a try 🙌🏻
They read at work. Lol. Some ppl have that downtime at work. I did when I worked nights.
Lol that's a good assumption!
Why don't you make hard cover books? I also see that you've priced your paperbacks at $18.99. Isn't that somewhat high priced for a paperback? I really don't know, but it seems high and just want to understand the market.
I can't speak to Lindsey's numbers directly, but for my paperbacks through Amazon, Amazon charges me, (or they charge the reader/purchaser, depending on how you look at it) around $9 to print and ship the book. (my wordcount/book size/paper type/etc. Again Lindsey's cost would be somewhat different) So I have to set a price higher than $9 to make anything. Then whatever "profit" is left after the printing costs, Amazon splits with me. So for my paperback books I actually make less per book (around $2 each) than I would if my readers by the $4.99 ebook version. Hard to believe for a lot of readers I've talked to, but that's the reality of a print-on-demand service like Amazon. If the author wants to upfront the printing cost of 2-5K books they can bring the price way down but most of us cant afford to do that.
@@J.ScottMiles Thanks. My book is a young reader chapter book for kids about 8-12. I don't think they read ebooks. Or do they?
Hello! @j.scottmiles hit the nail on the head. I agree that $18.99 is a little bit high, but if you look at the print book market as of late, the prices have raised significantly in the last few years. I believe the cost of paper has gone up which leads to a lot of that. But yes, Amazon charges to print and ship the book, so when all is said and done, I make a few dollars per physical copy, and I typically end up making more when people buy the ebook. As for hard cover books, I do have one currently for the second book in the series, but I'm working on an alternate hardback cover for the first book that features an object instead of a person and different chapter artwork. I might end up making that alternate cover its own listing in both paper and hardback, but gave myself the room to do just a different edition for the hardback on that same listing.
@@adventureswithtime Yeah, I'm not sure about kids books. My books have spicy content and are directed at adults only.
It's possible their parents let them use e-readers and ipads or schools sometimes provide them. I would suggest looking at other comparable books in your genre and age range and just see if they even list ebooks. Definitely don't count it out, when it could be a whole other revenue source!
Maybe people are reading you on their commute, or surreptitiously reading on the computer at work.
That's a good point too!
Hi Lindsey Elizabeth! I just watched your video on indie auther income. Your content is amazing, and I believe with a bit of professional touch on video editing and thumbnails, your channel can reach even greater heights. I specialize in video editing, thumbnail creation, and account SEO. If you're interested, I'd love to help you enhance your channel. Let's chat!
Awesome! Thank you! I'm not actively looking for an editor, but I'm open to it. Feel free to shoot me an email at lindseyelizabethdesigns@gmail.com with your rates and some examples.