In February/March of 2023, ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors), in collaboration with consultants The Future of Publishing and SKS Advisors, conducted an online survey to gain insights into the incomes and income-related strategies of self-published authors.

The survey focused on authors who had self-published at least one book and spent at least 50% of their working time on writing and publishing activities.

Income Findings

• 41% of self-publisher respondents earned more than $20,000 as authors during the past two years.
• The median income related to writing and self-publishing in 2022 for all self-publishers was $12,749, representing a 53% increase from the previous year.
• The average (mean) income was $82,600 in 2022, reflecting a 34% increase. However, when excluding respondents with no income or incomes exceeding $1 million, the average income lowered to $65,482.

Genre Distribution

• Romance, fantasy/sci-fi/speculative, and crime/thriller/detective genres were the most prevalent genres in which self-publishers primarily engaged.
• These genres accounted for a combined 57% of respondents.

Self-Published Author Income and Demographics

Income Sources

• Self-published authors derive income from various products and formats, with mainstream format books being the primary source.
• Between 8% and 13% of respondents reported earning income from publishing-related services such as editing, speaking, teaching, and freelance work.
• Licensing their works for income was less common among self-published authors.

Publishing Trends

• 60% of self-published authors have published their first book within the past 8 years, with 25% since 2020, indicating the ongoing vitality of the community.
• Over half of the respondents have published more than 10 books, and 20% have published over 30.

Demographic Characteristics

• Two-thirds of respondents identify as cisgender females.
• More than 90% identify themselves as 35 years of age or older.
• 80% hold an undergraduate or postgraduate college degree.
• 11% consider themselves to be disabled.
• 86% of respondents identify as Caucasian/white.
• Just over 10% identify as LGBTQIA+.

Self-Publishing Continues to Garner Interest: Report Highlights

High Number of Debut Books in 2020

Another indication from the report that interest in self-publishing remains high is the finding that 25% of respondents said they had released their first book in 2020.

This reflects a steady stream of new authors entering the self-publishing space and highlights the continued popularity of this avenue for aspiring writers.

Prolific Independent Authors

The report also revealed that many independent authors are highly productive, with 60% of respondents reporting that they published their first book between 2015 and 2022.

Moreover, over half of self-published authors had published more than 10 books, and an impressive 20% had published more than 30 titles.

This suggests that self-publishing has become a viable and fruitful option for authors looking to build a substantial body of work.

Popular Genres Among Self-Publishers

Genre preference among self-publishers was also examined in the report, with some interesting findings.

Romance, fantasy/sci-fi/speculative, and crime/thriller/detective genres emerged as the most prevalent among self-publishers, representing a combined 57% of all respondents.

This underscores the popularity of these genres in the self-publishing world, and suggests that authors in these genres may find success in the self-publishing market.

Overall, the report highlights the continued interest in self-publishing, with a significant number of debut books in 2020, prolific independent authors, and popular genres among self-publishers.

This underscores the growing appeal and viability of self-publishing as a viable avenue for authors to share their work with readers.

 Self-Publishing for Authors Is Easy and Accessible

Self-publishing has emerged as a popular option for authors who want to bring their work to the masses without relying on traditional publishing routes.

Let’s explore how easy it is to self-publish and the advantages it offers to aspiring authors.

Writing Process Made Convenient

One of the biggest advantages of self-publishing is the ease with which an author can get their work out into the world.

The writing process itself can be done at the author’s convenience, utilizing word processing software and online writing tools.

Additionally, there are numerous resources available online, such as writing communities and workshops, that can provide guidance and support for self-published authors.

Simplified Publishing Process

Once the manuscript is complete, the next step is publishing. Self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), CreateSpace, and IngramSpark, have made it simple for authors to upload their manuscripts, design book covers, and set prices for their books.

These platforms often provide user-friendly interfaces and step-by-step guides, making the publishing process easy to navigate, even for authors with limited technical expertise.

Retaining Creative Control

Self-publishing allows authors to retain full control over their creative work.

Unlike traditional publishing, where authors may have to compromise on their artistic vision to cater to the preferences of agents or publishers, self-publishing empowers authors to make all the decisions about their book, from cover design to marketing strategies.

This level of autonomy can be particularly appealing to authors who are passionate about their work and want to maintain creative control.

Speed to Market

Another advantage of self-publishing is the speed at which authors can bring their book to market.

Traditional publishing routes can take months or even years before a book hits the shelves, whereas self-publishing allows authors to publish their work almost instantly.

This is particularly advantageous for authors who want to capitalize on a timely topic or want to release multiple books in a short timeframe.

Higher Royalties

Furthermore, self-publishing offers authors the opportunity to earn a higher percentage of royalties compared to traditional publishing.

In traditional publishing, authors typically receive a percentage of the book’s sale price as royalties, which is often significantly lower than the amount earned through self-publishing.

With self-publishing, authors can earn royalties ranging from 35% to 70% of the book’s sale price, depending on the platform and distribution options chosen.

Your Readers Are Waiting!

Self-publishing has made it easier than ever for aspiring authors to bring their work to a global audience.

From the convenience of writing and publishing at one’s own pace to retaining creative control and earning higher royalties, self-publishing has empowered authors to take charge of their publishing journey.

With the right tools and resources, self-publishing can be a viable option for authors looking to share their stories with the world.