The writer's life
November 2nd 2006 03:48
“You’re an author? How exciting!” people gush. Exciting? Is my life exciting? Hmmm. Got up this morning, made a coffee, walked the dog, put a load of washing into the machine… Maybe they imagine that you have a book published and you’re suddenly leading some sort of bohemian life, hanging out with artists and philosophers, drinking red wine before noon…
Truth is, once your book is on the shelves and your publicity is done, there’s nothing to do – literally. Life goes on, and yes, pretty much the same as it was before publication.
“Wow, you’ve published a book, you must be rich!” OK, this isn’t something that most people say, but it is certainly what a lot of people think. One day when I was complaining about the cost of something, one girlfriend commented, “Oh you won’t need to worry about that, you’ve got a book coming out.” A surprising number of people have asked, “Oh, you’re still working?”
Do the maths people. Most authors get around $2 per book and in Australia most books sell between 5,000 and 7,000 copies. No, books rarely keep their owners in Gucci. That’s what my rich boyfriend is for. Just kidding. I love him.
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Comment by historylass
The Written Word
History Lass
Comment by Bulamakanka
Comment by K.L. Almeroth
Motherhood
To Writer's Lounge,
I praise you for being published...something I'm still trying to achieve (as the whole world knows!).
Yes, the stats aren't good, for selling books in Australia.
Maybe one day we'll give Aussie writers the recognition they deserve!
K.L.