With AI kicking me in the shins, I have to rely more heavily on books sales. Take a look at how that breaks down for me versus the publisher and printer.
This is the December 2023 royalties report of some of the Kelley books I have at Amazon.
As you can see, 26 have sold.
8 DeForest Kelley Up Close and Personal for a total in royalties to me of $28.14. (They sell for $17.99 each in paperback. Amazon and the printer get the rest out of a total of $143.92)
3 Kelley Phone Tag for a total in royalties to me of $11.47. (This volume sells for $7.42 each in paperback. Amazon and the printer get the rest out of a total of $22.26)
5 Enduring Legacy of DeForest Kelley for a total in royalties to me of $9.67. (They sell for $7.99 in paperback. Amazon and the printer get the rest out of a total of $39.95)
The balance ($53.17) were ebook sales of various Kelley titles, 3 copies of TRAILBLAZER, and KENP page reads. The Amazon percentage is about the same; there is no printing charge for ebooks.
My UK and German friends are keeping me happy across the pond, for sure! Look at the top marketplaces in the image above.
Thank you, UK!
Danke schoen, Alamenia!
But this breakdown gives you the reason why I always have a request for tips at the end of every blog post. I’m making more money for Amazon and for their printer than I am for myself using their platform. It’s a real slog to keep my head above water, given these stats.
If you think writing a book = megabucks, think again. I know people try to sell you on writing a book “for fun and profit,” but you’d better be doing it more for fun and to leave a legacy of helpful advice than for profit, or you’ll be mighty disappointed. Very few authors make a decent living via book sales. We have to market our skill in other ways, and with AI presently messing with our ability to do that, it’s getting to be quite the slog these days.
And speaking of AI….
I just spotted an AI-written sales piece that will land the person is serious trouble with the Federal Trade Commission. I let her know. I hope she will reconsider using AI in the future and get back to basics, hiring a human who knows how to toe the line without going over it and attracting the FTC. We’ll see!
