This question is about writer salaries.

How much does a first-time author make?

By Zippia Team - Dec. 17, 2021

A first-time author receives an average advance of $5,000 to $10,000 on their first book. Additional revenues may be earned through the book's sales after publication, but there are additional expenses to consider.

Earning revenue beyond the initial advance from the publisher is not a guarantee. A standard contract will see the first-time author receive 10% of the book's sales. If a book costs $20, the author will see additional royalties after selling the first 5,000 copies. Most first-time authors sell fewer than 5,000 copies of their first book.

There are additional expenses that may impact the earnings of a first-time author. Most authors have agents who are paid a percentage of a book's sales. The typical percentage for a writer's agent is fifteen. If a new author received an advance of $10,000 for their first book, they would end up with $8,500 after the agent's cut.

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