Book a free 25-minute call. Tell me where your book is now.
Some authors do support a family from self-publishing alone, but it is not the typical result, and it takes three habits I explain below. The Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey (5,699 published authors, income for 2022) found that full-time self-published authors had a median book income of $12,800 and a median of $15,000 counting all author-related work (Authors Guild, updated 25-Oct-23). Half earned more than that and half less, so a living is possible but a family needs more than the middle of that range.
What three rules help you earn a full-time living?
Keep publishing, add writers when you can afford them, and write for markets that already buy. The signs that you are on the right track are in 3 steps to winning with self-publishing.
1. Keep publishing new books. The earning potential of each book drops over time, so you need new ones coming in to replace that. I have published 230 books, and older books slow down while new ones keep the total up.
2. Consider hiring other writers. To keep up production and have enough books to carry the load, some full-time publishers hire writers on freelance sites such as Upwork to write content for them. That costs money up front, so do the maths on what each book needs to earn before you start.
3. Write for markets that already exist. You aren’t writing books only for yourself. You are writing for people already looking for books on those topics or in that style.
How do you choose a market that lasts?
Fads come and go. Look for markets that have existed for five years or more, with lots of people looking for books but not many books answering their question or giving that kind of entertainment. That is true of any business.
What do the numbers say about income and the number of books?
The Written Word Media 2025 Indie Author Survey (1,346 self-reported responses, published 02-Dec-25) shows why the first rule matters. Authors with one to three books mostly earned under $100 a month, about 80% of them. Income climbed more steeply at ten or more books, and authors with 25 or more books had a median near $3,000 a month, with over 40% earning $5,000 or more. The survey’s own caution is that this is self-reported data that shows a link, not proof that more books cause more income.
The same survey found that authors with an email list had a median income of about $300 a month, against about $15 a month without one. Average marketing spend rose with income too, from about $81 a month for the lowest earners to about $4,500 for those earning over $10,000 a month. For a much younger starting point, read how much a first-time teenage author can expect to make in three months.
The Authors Guild survey has a more hopeful number. Full-time self-published authors who had been publishing since at least 2018 had a median income of $24,000 in 2022, up from $13,700 in 2018, a 76 percent increase (Authors Guild). Time and a growing catalogue seem to help.
When does the money arrive?
Later than most people expect, which matters when a family depends on it. KDP pays standard royalties about 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale was reported, and Expanded Distribution sales about 90 days after month end (KDP: when will I get paid?). A book that sells in January is paid at the end of March. So keep enough savings to cover a few months of bills before you rely on the income.
What would I do with this?
This part is my advice. Treat the first year or two as building, not earning. Write down what your family needs each month, then work out how many books at your current earnings it would take to cover it. Start an email list from your first book. Do not leave your job until the books have paid your bills for several months in a row.
How many books does it take?
There is no single number, because it depends on what each book earns and what your family needs each month. I work through it in How Many Books Do You Need To Sell To Make A Living?, and Do Authors Work For A Company? covers how author income and self-employment work.
Want help picking markets and planning your production? Book a free 25-minute discovery call.
Listen to this episode on Spotify
Frequently asked questions
How much do full-time self-published authors earn?
In the Authors Guild 2023 Author Income Survey, full-time self-published authors had a median book income of $12,800 for 2022, and $15,000 counting all author-related work. Half earned more and half earned less.
How many books do I need to make a living?
It depends on what each book earns and what your family needs each month. I work through the maths in how many books you need to sell to make a living.
How long does KDP take to pay royalties?
About 60 days after the end of the month in which the sale was reported, and about 90 days for Expanded Distribution sales, according to KDP's help page. Plan your family's bills around that gap.
Should I quit my job to self-publish?
I would not until your books pay your bills month after month, because the median shows most full-time self-published authors earn modestly. For a long-term decision with your family's money, talk to an accountant.
Free 25-minute self-publishing call with Chris Baird
Tell me where your book is now. You leave the call with a clear next step for publishing it.
Free, 25 minutes on Zoom, no card needed.
Newest posts
Popular guides
- Lulu Self-Publishing Review 2026: Pros, Cons and Costs
- IngramSpark Review 2026: Free Setup, New Fees and Is It Worth It?
- Is Pegasus a Vanity Publisher? (2026 Update)
- Can You Sell Self Published Books On Etsy?
- How To Edit Your Books For Free With Grammarly
- Self Publishing Lulu VS Blurb?
- 5 Best Self Publishing Courses for Beginners (2026)
- How Long Should A Self-Published Book Be
- What Are The Minimum Amount Of Words For Paperback Books?
- Comparing Ingramspark, Lulu, and KDP Print
- How Many Books Do Self Published Authors Sell?
- Self-Publish For Under $199!