How Much Money Do Bestselling Authors Collect from Their Bestsellers?

The revenue generated by bestselling authors can widely vary depending on the publishing model they follow. Self-published authors typically enjoy the entire royalty from their book sales, whereas traditionally published authors often have to share a portion of the royalties with their publishing company. The amount of money a bestselling author earns can range from lakhs to crores, depending on various factors.

Factors Influencing an Author's Earnings

The journey from a published book to earning substantial income is complex and multifaceted. Several key factors play a role in determining an author’s earnings:

First-time Author or Experienced Novelist?

Is the author a first-time novelist or a seasoned one? New authors may receive different terms and conditions compared to experienced authors. Established authors might have a better bargaining position when negotiating with publishers, leading to more favorable royalty rates and higher earnings.

Publishing Contract

Understanding the contract is crucial. What does the publishing contract stipulate regarding royalties, advances, and other terms? Self-publishing often provides authors with more control over their work, including the ability to set their own prices and retain 100% of the royalties. Traditional publishing, however, may involve selling rights to the publisher, with authors receiving smaller percentages of royalties but also potentially benefiting from marketing efforts and wider distribution.

Bestseller Categories

What constitutes a "bestseller" can vary greatly. Different metrics might be used, such as sales numbers, reviews, or social media engagement. These metrics can differ widely between genres, regions, and publications. An author might be considered a bestseller in a specific niche, but not be considered so by broader standards.

Personal Example: My Journey as a Bestselling Author

Let me take my own case as an example. I am not a first-time author; I have spent decades building a following and writing for many books. My most recent book, "By Your Side: The First 100 Years of Yuri Anime and Manga," was my first stand-alone non-fiction publication. I chose to work with a small independent publisher who offered me a small amount upfront, which we used for promotional activities.

The contract stipulated that we split costs 50/50 for both promotional and sales efforts. Like any risk taken, the publisher was taking a chance on my book, and we both knew that it might not be a hit. However, I had already paid my own editors, assistants, and artists before signing the contract due to my uncertainty about the book's commercial potential.

The publisher contributed further editing, formatting, layout, publishing, submission, and sales promotion. By the time my book was released, it was available in bookstores and online around the world. My benchmark for sales is approximately 1,000 copies, which I consider a "best-seller" for a niche book.

Two years into the publication, my book has sold around 500 copies, with only a few spikes to the top 1 category on Amazon for a brief period. All that means is that I have sold about 40 copies. This number is quite meaningless in the grand scheme of things. However, my publisher confirms that my book is their best-selling book by far. While I have not made a substantial amount of money from royalties, I do receive quarterly checks, which have recently been used to commission custom framing for art received from a Japanese artist.

Contrary to popular belief, my Patreon brings in more money than my sales, but both represent a significant amount of time and effort. As I continue to think about my next book, I anticipate that it will sell even more poorly. The journey of being a bestselling author is a journey of patience and persistence.

Conclusion

The financial rewards for bestselling authors can vary greatly depending on the publishing model, the author's contract, and the metric used to define a "bestseller." While some authors might rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars from their books, others like myself might only earn a modest sum. No matter the amount, the journey is marked by hard work, determination, and passion for storytelling.