THE INSIDE STORY . . .
Amid all the glory and glamour you read about writers on social media, there is a side to the writing life that many people do not see. That side is the side of waiting. Waiting that can be very discouraging for a writer.
Writers regularly face long waits of all kinds. Traditionally published writers especially (writers who are published by a publishing house) must go through several steps to get a book published. These steps usually take years and involve the following:
___Finding an agent. This takes from a few weeks to several years.
___Waiting for the agent to find a publisher. This can take from a few months up to three years or more. ___Waiting for the book actually to be published and in print. This can take another two to three years, based on the publishing house. ___Waiting to earn income on the book. This can take from several months to a few years. By the way, an author earns an average of only 8% to 10% of the retail price of a book. For example, if a book sells for $10, the author makes only $0.80 to 1.00 per book. The agent takes 15% on each book ($1.50), and the publisher takes the rest.
Today many authors are choosing the independent publishing path. Why? To avoid many of the situations mentioned above. The waiting game can be a very difficult game, a game that a writer may never win. Meanwhile, the writer needs an income to pay his bills.
Thankfully, indie publishing provides a way for a writer to get his book published and begin earning income sooner rather than later, without the long wait times. I have tried it both ways, and I much prefer indie publishing to traditional publishing. The best part is that the reader doesn't have to wait an extraordinarily long time for the author's next book. :)
So, support your favorite indie authors. It would greatly encourage them.
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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