Industry Secrets Keep Authors in the Dark About Pay

Advances, royalties, and lack of transparency mean many published writers struggle to make writing a full-time job.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:04am

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A minimalist studio still life featuring a stack of hardcover books, a fountain pen, and a pair of reading glasses arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the abstract concepts of publishing and the financial realities of the industry.A stark visual metaphor for the financial challenges facing many authors, whose book deals and royalties often fail to provide a sustainable full-time income.NYC Today

Publishing experts say the financial realities of the industry, including shrouded book deal details, modest royalties, and a hits-driven business model, make it difficult for most authors to earn a sustainable living solely from their writing. Even successful authors often have to rely on other income sources to supplement their book earnings.

Why it matters

The lack of transparency around author incomes perpetuates misconceptions about the financial viability of a writing career, making it harder for aspiring authors to set realistic expectations and plan accordingly. Greater openness about typical advance amounts, royalty structures, and book sales could empower writers to negotiate better deals and understand the industry's economic realities.

The details

Most book deals are kept secret, with only vague labels like 'nice,' 'good,' and 'major' used to describe the advance amounts, which can range from $0 to over $500,000. Even successful authors like Jason June have found that royalties are often modest, with some earning less than $1 per book sold. The publishing industry is heavily hits-driven, with 20% of titles generating 80% of the revenue, making it difficult for most authors to earn a full-time living solely from their writing.

  • In 2024, author Jason June sold 174 copies of a holiday-themed YA novel.
  • In 2025, fiction author Kristen Bird reported $6,659 in total royalties.

The players

Jason June

A best-selling fiction author who has publicly shared his own finances and performance in an effort to help other writers understand the realities of the publishing industry.

Jane Friedman

A publishing industry researcher who has argued that author-income surveys should be treated cautiously, as they often rely on self-selected respondents and can create overly broad 'crisis' narratives.

Kevin O'Connor

The programming director of the NYU Summer Publishing Institute and a literary agent who says the majority of authors he works with, both in fiction and nonfiction, have other sources of income.

Josh Rivera

An author and senior editor at USA TODAY who wrote the original article.

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What they’re saying

“It's very hush-hush. If we don't talk about it, nobody will ever know if what they're getting is industry standard or if it's way low or if it's way high.”

— Jason June, Best-selling fiction author

“The honest truth about advances in book sales is that, especially for a first-time author or someone who's not a New York Times Bestseller, these payments rarely constitute a living. Even if you're working with a big commercial house, the average advance is gonna be in the five figures.”

— Jane Friedman, Publishing industry researcher

“You can still sell thousands of books and only be making a dollar or less than a dollar per book sold. So, if you sell 1,000 books, you might get $1,000.”

— Jason June, Best-selling fiction author

What’s next

Industry experts say the economic challenges facing authors are unlikely to change significantly in the near future, as publishing remains a hits-driven business. However, greater transparency around typical advance amounts, royalty structures, and book sales data could help empower writers to negotiate better deals and understand the industry's realities.

The takeaway

The lack of transparency around author incomes in the publishing industry perpetuates misconceptions about the financial viability of a writing career. While a select few authors earn enough to write full-time, the majority must rely on other sources of income to supplement their book earnings. Increased openness about typical advance amounts, royalties, and sales figures could help aspiring authors set more realistic expectations and make informed decisions about pursuing a career in writing.