You’ve probably heard the cliché that writing fiction is a hard road to financial success.
While that might be true in some respects, today I’m going to give you an insider’s look into my journey—showing you how I earn a sustainable full-time income through writing, and, most importantly, how you could do it too.
The Myth of Starving Artists and My Reality
First things first, let’s get this out of the way: I don’t have an agent, and you won’t find my books stacked on the shelves of brick-and-mortar bookstores.
What I do have is my own publishing company, geared towards commercial fiction that resonates with a broad audience.
No, I’m not gunning for the Man Booker Prize, but I am successfully spinning tales that keep the bills paid.
From Works of Art to Income-Generating Assets
Shifting my mindset from creating merely artistic pieces to generating assets with long-term value was a game-changer.
I scoured the literary landscape to identify the sweet spot between what I loved writing and what was underrepresented by big publishers.
The result? I zeroed in on post-apocalyptic fiction, epic fantasy, and—although eventually removed from my list—space opera.
The Importance of Understanding Your Audience
Before penning my first book, “Wizard of the Wasteland,” I delved into the psyche of potential readers.
I went to the Bad Place (also known as Goodreads).
Hundreds of reviews later, I was armed with invaluable insights into reader likes and dislikes.
This in-depth understanding allowed me to craft a story that was commercially viable while also being deeply personal.
It wasn’t about selling out. It was about buying in.
The Professional Touch
I wanted my indie books to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those put out by corporate publishing houses.
To that end, my books feature professional covers, layouts, and editing.
This wasn’t just an exercise in vanity; it directly contributed to my books’ ongoing sales.
The Beauty of Recurring Income
Here’s where the magic happens: my books have longevity.
For instance, “Wizard of the Wasteland” initially peaked and then settled to making around £7 per day.
But here’s the kicker—when I write this in 2023, it’s still raking in that daily sum.
I have multiple books and boxed sets, all contributing to a steady flow of income.
The Hustle Never Stops
Being a full-time writer is so much more than just sitting down to write. It’s an ongoing hustle that demands constant juggling of various roles, with marketing being one of the most crucial.
To succeed, you need to wear multiple hats.
Running Facebook and Amazon ads isn’t a ‘nice to have’—it’s essential.
You need to understand targeting, ad copy, and budgeting, ensuring that your ads reach the readers who are most likely to click ‘buy.’
Then, there’s cross-promotion with other authors.
It’s not just about trading email mentions; it’s about building relationships with fellow writers in your genre, finding mutually beneficial ways to introduce each other’s work to new audiences.
These partnerships can be incredibly powerful, expanding your reach in ways you couldn’t achieve alone.
Managing a weekly newsletter is another vital component.
This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s about nurturing a connection with your readers.
Your newsletter should offer value beyond just promoting your books.
Whether it’s behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive content, or personal anecdotes, it’s an opportunity to build loyalty and keep readers engaged between book releases.
The list of tasks doesn’t end there.
From updating your website to responding to reader queries, every activity contributes to keeping your name and your books in front of potential readers.
The hustle is real, and it never truly stops, but it’s all part of building a successful writing career.
Freebies as a Strategy, Not a Liability
There’s often a fear among writers that offering free content will devalue their work.
But in my experience, offering free prequel and side stories for each of my series has been a game-changer.
These free books act as a gateway for new readers, allowing them to sample my writing without any financial commitment.
Once they’re hooked, many go on to purchase the full series.
It’s about playing the long game—giving something upfront to create a fan who will stick around for the journey.
These readers often turn into loyal followers, eagerly awaiting my next release, and some even become my most vocal advocates, spreading the word about my work to others.
A Day in the Life
So, what does a typical day look like for a full-time author?
It’s a packed schedule, but it’s one I’ve chosen and love.
On a writing day, my goal is to hit 3,000 words, whether that’s working on a new manuscript or editing existing chapters.
But the day doesn’t end there.
I also spend time crafting social media content—posts, tweets, videos designed to engage readers and keep them invested in my world.
There’s the weekly newsletter, which requires careful planning and writing to ensure it offers value and maintains that all-important reader connection.
I also carve out time to respond to questions from readers, whether it’s through email, social media, or participating in Q&As on forums and platforms like Reddit.
Beyond the writing and direct engagement, I’m constantly refining my marketing strategies, tweaking ads, and keeping an eye on sales data to see what’s working and what needs adjustment.
It’s a full plate, balancing creativity with business, but it’s also my dream job—a dream that I’ve built and that allows me to write full-time.
Writing fiction doesn’t have to be a path to financial struggle.
With the right strategies, mindset, and understanding of your audience, it’s entirely possible to turn your passion into a sustainable, full-time career.
My journey shows that you don’t need to chase literary awards or corporate publishing deals to succeed.
Instead, by treating your writing as both art and business, you can build a lasting, income-generating career that allows you to live the dream of writing full-time.
What’s one strategy you’ve used—or are considering—to turn your writing into a profitable venture?
Let’s share ideas and help each other on the path to success!
CherryEdits 