Making money as a fantasy writer (or at least feeling good about entertaining people)

[RangerWickett]

I have a website here that has the first four episodes of a fantasy storyline I've written. Early next year, I'm hoping to team up with Acquana (Jessica Jones) and release a comic book of Savannah Knights. I'm very excited about both of these things, but the problem is that I'm not sure if I can afford to spend time writing instead of looking for a job.

At the moment I'm so poor that if I don't get a job in the next two weeks, I don't know what to do. Trying to get published the traditional way takes too long, and while I am hoping that the one story I sent out will be accepted, it won't happen in time to help me now. I'm hoping online release will garner some interest, but if there's not enough immediate interest, I might have to put things on hold until I have a steady job. And the job market in Atlanta is harsh now.

Would anyone here buy pdfs of short story or serialized fantasy fiction? What if they came with some game material too? Comic books?

I am looking for a job (I've even got a non-fantasy-themed thread in the off-topic forum where I ask for help). I write a lot, and if you'll read what I have available online, you'll hopefully agree that I write well. I'd like to write to entertain others instead of flipping burgers, but I'd need to know I could make at least a bit of money off that to make it worth the time. I love writing, and I'll keep doing it even if I have to take an unemployment, but I don't want to wait if I can support myself now.

So, swing by the site, read what's there, and let me know if you'd be interested in buying fantasy fiction online. And if someone wanted to show their support through PayPal, or by buying some E.N. Publishing products, it would help me a great deal.

Mostly, I want you to read the stories on my site and be entertained by them. Suggestions on quick ways to solve my immediate problems through writing are also appreciated, and if anyone's going through something similar, feel free to share your troubles.

Goodnight. I hope to read people's replies tomorrow evening.

 

[Berandor]

Well, I'm in a similar, though different boat.

I *am* employed (though I don't earn a lot), and after a 9 hour day plus two hours of commuting and maybe shopping/cleaning, I struggle to find time to write. Still, the question is like yours: Should I risk unemployment to write a novel? With the job situation as it is today, I can't be sure to get a job again should the novel fail.

Still, I should do it, because I feel that if I have one purpose, it's to be a writer. Still, the jump into insecurity and unemployment is frightening. So I'll continue to do as I do until my first novel achieves critical acclaim and I am a millionaire!

You've got my sympathy, RW. Unfortunately, I wouldn't buy PDF stories, normally. I print out almost everything I read - even Ceramic DM stories. I buy a lot of PDF books, but I only reference them online; my first read is usually printed.

 

[wedgeski]

Isn't the truth of the matter that most (all?) writers start their trade by dividing their time between a full-time day-job and actually doing the thing they love? Practically every bio of well-known, established, full-time writers I've ever read tells the same story. I don't *quite* understand why you have such a no-nonsense trade-off between writing and looking for a job. Surely you can do both?

That said, I wish you good luck with all your endeavors, and I'll be checking out your story later tonight. In answer to your question, I think I *would* consider buying fiction PDF's, as long as they were exceedingly cheap, and (unfortunately for you) by authors I already knew and trusted. I've downloaded enough Story Hour PDF's to know that I'm quite happy to read fiction off the screen.

 

[philreed]

Don't forget sites like www.lulu.com where you would be able to offer printed versions of your fiction (without any upfront costs).

 

[Jürgen Hubert]

What he said. Money comes first, so try to get a day job. If you manage a breakthrough as a writer and actually start earning real money from it, then you can start thinking about writing full-time. But most never reach that stage - including allmost all writers in the gaming industry.

So keep at that job hunt. Anything else will only end in personal bankruptcy. That may sound harsh, but it is the truth.

 

[Turanil]

<...> the problem is that I'm not sure if I can afford to spend time writing instead of looking for a job.

At the moment I'm so poor that if I don't get a job in the next two weeks, I don't know what to do.

RangerWickett, you don't know it yet, but I am your (older) brother!
Well, what I mean is that I perfectly understand your situation, because it's also mine. I am slowly writing a RPG campaign setting (for sale in PDF some distant day), and then a science-fiction novel that will be set in that world. I have a hard time with it, since I have decided to write it in English, which is not my native language... At the same time, I have very low income. As such my advice is extremely clear and simple: Find a job first! I have discovered that it's better to have a job that pays the bill but dosn't take all my time to create things I want to create without bothering about if someday I could have some success or not. Anyway, I clearly intend to become the next Stephen King (no less guys!), but until then I am determined to make at least 1500$ each month from regular work...

 

[JoeGKushner]

I don't want this to sound the wrong way but there are people who work 60 hours a week and still write. If you need extensive time to devote to writing and can't write while doing something else, then you need to discipline yourself.

There are people who write without use of computers.

There are people who write with little to no personal supplies, borrowing what they need from friends.

Your situation, while not the greatest, is far from the worst.

Look at the positive aspects of things. Getting a job means that you'll have more contact with the world and more experience to write about things.

 

[PaulKemp]

You've probably heard this before, but I'll repeat it anyway. Earning enough to write for a living is quite rare.

Here are the numbers that I've heard making the rounds: Among published writers of fantasy fiction (as opposed to writers of gaming material, about which I know nothing), some 5% or so earn enough to make a living. About 5% of that 5% (I went to law school to avoid math, so you'll have to derive that number yourself ) actually make a GOOD living with their writing.

Most full-time writers either have an understanding and well-paid spouse, are habituated to living a fairly modest lifestyle, or have a nice nest egg. The Robert Jordans and RA Salvatores are extraordinarly rare.

I actually wrestled at one point with whether or not to quit my day job (corporate lawyer) to pursue the writing career full time. At the time I was making this decision, I already had a couple novels published and my signature character was gaining popularity. But faced with the numbers I set forth above, I decided it would be unwise to try and make a go of it solely as a writer. That was the right decision for me. My books are doing well, my characters seem quite popular, but I still need my legal salary to provide for my family. So, I write on my lunch hour, in the evenings, and on weekends. If ever my books sell one-quarter as many as Bob Salvatore's, I'll reconsider my course.

Obviously, you have to do what's right for you. I just thought you might find it useful to hear from a working writer.

Paul

 

[King_Stannis]

You've probably heard this before, but I'll repeat it anyway. Earning enough to write for a living is quite rare.

Here are the numbers that I've heard making the rounds: Among published writers of fantasy fiction (as opposed to writers of gaming material, about which I know nothing), some 5% or so earn enough to make a living. About 5% of that 5% (I went to law school to avoid math, so you'll have to derive that number yourself ) actually make a GOOD living with their writing.

Most full-time writers either have an understanding and well-paid spouse, are habituated to living a fairly modest lifestyle, or have a nice nest egg. The Robert Jordans and RA Salvatores are extraordinarly rare.

I actually wrestled at one point with whether or not to quit my day job (corporate lawyer) to pursue the writing career full time. At the time I was making this decision, I already had a couple novels published and my signature character was gaining popularity. But faced with the numbers I set forth above, I decided it would be unwise to try and make a go of it solely as a writer. That was the right decision for me. My books are doing well, my characters seem quite popular, but I still need my legal salary to provide for my family. So, I write on my lunch hour, in the evenings, and on weekends. If ever my books sell one-quarter as many as Bob Salvatore's, I'll reconsider my course.

Obviously, you have to do what's right for you. I just thought you might find it useful to hear from a working writer.

Paul

Good for you, man!

CAn you let me know what books you've published?

 

[GlassJaw]

Give up on the idea that you will someday make money from writing/game design/whatever NOW. The quicker you do that, the better off you'll be.

Now I'm not saying that you can never make money doing it but it's very difficult, requires a substantial investment of time, and requires some of your own funds to get off the ground. A stable job and source of income should be your paramount priority.

Once you have that established, don't try to get your work published for the sake of making money alone. Do it because you like it and you want others to read it. Any money you make is just a perk...at least at first. Reinvest anything you make back into your business.

I have some experience in the music business and it's very similar. You can't just wake up one day and become Joe Rock Star. There are some many struggling (and amazing) bands out there. The competition is just insane. You need to support yourself by starting out small: give lessons, studio sessions, open mics, make connections, etc., all the while having a day job.

I still play but I gave up the notion of trying to make money at it. It just requires too much of an investment with only a minimal chance of success. It's just not my personality to not know where my next paycheck will come from.

I'm pretty secure financially right now and I've just started exploring the idea of writing something with the intention of getting it published (mostly after talking with Wulf/Ben of Bad Axe).

Bottom Line: Do it for the love, not money.