Dreaming about publishing your first book and wondering: “How much do authors get paid for their first book?”
We have a pleasant treat for you!
This article isn’t just some random response from a passionate writer—we’ve worked with hundreds of customers, and believe me when I say we can guide you right.
As a bonus, we’ve expanded the article to also answer likely questions like:
- Is writing a book profitable?
- How much money does an author make per book?
- And “should I write a book about my life?”
It’s time to know what authors get paid for their first book.
How Much Do Authors Get Paid for Their First Book?
The fact is: It varies wildly!
When it comes to earning from books published, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much an author makes from their first book.
Now I know what you are thinking: “Then, what factors will determine how much I will make?” That’s right!
Your payment can depend heavily on several factors, such as your genre, experience, the type of publishing you choose (traditional vs. self-publishing), and even your personal brand.
Let’s break them down:
What Authors Get Paid for Their First Book?
Here we go:
A. Traditional Publishing
If you land a deal with a traditional publisher, you might receive an advance—an upfront payment against your future royalties.
This is just the publisher’s belief that the book will sell enough copies to earn back the payment sent to you.
Here’s a breakdown of typical advance ranges:
#1. Debut Fiction Authors
Advances can span from $5,000 to $15,000.
However, if you meet smaller publishers, they might offer less, even offering you $1,000 to $5,000, especially for unproven or first-time authors.
Conversely, advances can shoot into the six-figure range if your book garners strong interest.
Before you put your hopes high, that’s rare for a debut.
#2. Non-Fiction Authors
Non-fiction advances do go higher if you have a strong platform.
If you’re an expert, a well-known figure, or have significant social media reach, your advance could be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000+.
Influencer-authored or celebrity books can command advances of six or even seven figures.
#3. Children’s Book Authors:
If you are in the children’s books niche, you will normally have lower advances, often between $1,000 and $10,000 for a first title.
However, picture books may also involve paying an illustrator separately, which will undoubtedly affect the finances.
Please remember that you will earn royalties only after your book sells enough copies to cover the advance paid.
For example, if you got a $8,000 advance and earned $2 per book in royalties, you’d need to sell 4,000 copies before getting royalty checks beyond your first advance.
Royalties in traditional publishing are often:
- 5%–8% on paperback sales
- 10%–15% on hardcover sales
- 25% of the publisher’s net receipts for eBook sales
B. Self-Publishing
This is simply about direct profits, but no advance or royalties exist.
When you self-publish, the model is entirely different—and everything—the financial risks and rewards are all yours.
That’s both sweet and, perhaps, tough.
Let’s make it even more clear:
#1. No Advance
You wouldn’t get paid upfront.
#2. Higher Royalties Per Sale
Based on a platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, you will keep 35% to 70% of the book’s retail price. And yes, you know where the rest goes. For example:
- A $12.99 Kindle ebook might earn you about $9.99 per sale (at a 70% royalty rate).
- After deducting production costs, a $15 paperback via Amazon’s print-on-demand service will also earn you around $4–$6 per sale.
While self-publishing might not sound so appealing, self-publishing offers more control over—marketing, pricing, and release timing—but it also means you’re responsible for everything: Cover design, editing, marketing, and distribution.
Today, many successful self-published authors build their income by publishing many books, developing a loyal reader base over time, and diversifying their offerings to include audiobooks, ebooks, paperbacks, and even merchandise or courses.
How Much Money Does an Author Make Per Book?
How much money does an author make per book? Well, it depends on how you publish and how your book is priced.
You’d have gotten a clue, but let’s be more clear:
A. Traditional Publishing
If you partner with a traditional publisher, you will typically earn 5% to 15% royalties on the retail price of each copy sold.
For example:
- If your hardcover book sells for $20.
- If your royalty rate is 10%, you would earn about $2 per copy sold.
- If your book sells for $15 in paperback and your royalty rate is 7%, you would earn about $1.05 per paperback copy.
Remember that some royalty rates are based on net sales, which can further lower your earnings.
Foreign editions and audiobooks may have varying royalty rates, too, and are often negotiated separately.
Additionally, you wouldn’t start earning royalties till your advance has been fully “earned out” through book sales.
B. Self-Publishing
If you decide to self-publish, you usually will earn a higher royalty per sale—but you also need to take on all the upfront costs (cover design, editing, marketing, and formatting.).
Typical royalty rates on self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) are:
- 35% royalty for ebooks priced outside this range: lower than $2.99 or higher than $9.99.
- 70% royalty for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99.
For example:
- A $15 ebook at a 70% royalty earns you about $10.5 per sale (subtract delivery fees, which are often minor).
- A print-on-demand paperback priced at $15 might earn you between $4 and $6 per copy, depending on how much it costs to print.
Self-publishing = higher margins. However, it also means that you’d have more personal responsibility.
Sounds good, right?
Let’s get some reality check.
It’s easy to get enticed by those numbers and imagine: “Wow! Huge earnings.”
But here’s the real truth:
- The average traditionally published book sells about 3,000 copies not just in its first year but throughout its lifetime.
- Based on several industry estimates, the average self-published book sells fewer than 250 copies.
Let’s do a quick math example:
| Publishing Method | Copies Sold | Earnings per Copy | Total Earnings |
| Traditional (hardcover) | 3,000 | $2.00 | $6,000 |
| Self-published (ebook) | 250 | $5.00 | $1,250 |
Of course, some books sell thousands or even millions of copies.
Breakout success stories exist, such as those of Colleen Hoover or Andy Weir with The Martian.
Nonetheless, most first-time authors’ income starts slow and realistically grows with time as they publish more books and perform better marketing.
Key Takeaway:
Realistically, your first book might bring something meager—from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
There are exceptions, especially if you hit a bestseller list, have strong marketing and audience-building, and land a movie deal.
Now, a little bit discouraged? No way!
Have a proper view of publishing. Many authors have grown into experts in the publishing field and view their first book as the beginning of a long career.
They do not view it as a get-rich-quick plan.
Each book expands your audience, builds your reputation, and opens more opportunities.
That leads us to another important question—The profitability of book publishing!
Is Writing a Book Profitable?
Writing a book can absolutely be profitable. However, it’s not always in the way people expect.
For many authors, especially first publishers, most profits wouldn’t come from direct book sales alone.
Most successful authors today use their book as a springboard into other lucrative opportunities.
Let’s now examine how authors can make money from their books, even if they aren’t selling as expected.
1. Speaking Engagements
When you publish a book, it boosts your credibility and authority in your field.
Many authors are invited to lead workshops, keynote conferences, or engage in panel discussions, often with lucrative speaking fees attached.
The book you publish will certainly be your “business card” at a much higher level, opening doors to more opportunities.
2. Courses and Workshops
Authors often expand their book’s topics into webinars, online courses, workshops, and masterclasses.
If your book teaches something—whether wellness, business strategy, creativity, or personal growth—you can rebrand that knowledge into educational products and charge premium prices.
3. Coaching or Consulting
Especially for non-fiction authors, a book fascinatingly establishes you as an expert.
Readers who resonate with your message may contact you for personalized consulting, coaching services, mentoring, or coaching, which can become major income streams.
4. Brand-Building
Publishing a book can enhance your brand visibility.
Even if your profits are modest, you might attract media interviews, new clients, sponsorships, collaborations, or partnership deals that will be more than your book’s royalties.
5. Multiple Books
More books translates to more profits. Thus, the more you write, the easier it becomes to profit.
Authors who build a collection of several books tend to see steady and more income over time.
New readers wouldn’t buy not just one but several books from an author they admire.
6. Audiobooks, Foreign Rights, and Licensing Deals
Successful books can lead to audiobook productions, translation deals, TV or film adaptations, and other licensing opportunities, each offering additional streams of income.
The Right Attitude Toward Book Publishing
Realistically, it’s important to think of the first book you want to publish as a long-term investment, and it is far from a “get-rich-quick” situation.
If you are looking to use your book to get rich quickly, it’s false and will not take you far!
Writing and publishing a book plants seeds that can grow into several opportunities you might not have ever imagined.
Your book can get you these benefits but not limited to:
- Being an open door to new careers.
- Presenting you as a leader in your niche.
- Creating passive income over time.
- Leading to opportunities that are far more profitable than the book itself.
Yes, your first book might not make you a millionaire overnight. However, it can be one of the smartest and most excellent investments you’d ever make in yourself and your future.
Thinking about what type of writing can earn you more income. Many have turned to books about their personal life.
Will that really be a good idea? Let’s find out!
Should I Write a Book About My Life?
If you’re wondering:
“Should I write a book about my life?”
This simple answer: YES—if you have a story worth sharing.
Autobiographies and Memoirs can be incredibly powerful, but they require more than just recounting events in your life.
Readers are constantly searching for meaningful connection and transformation.
So, you’d need to put the work in your book. Therefore, here are a few requirements needed:
Here is what a great memoir needs:
1. A Compelling Theme
It’s not just about what happened. The key is: Why does it matter?
Your story should also revolve around a central idea, like love, resilience, redemption, personal growth, or loss.
2. Emotional Honesty
Vulnerability draws readers in.
Perfect lives are predictable and boring. People want to see your failures, struggles, lessons learned, and human side.
That’s exactly what makes a memoir memorable.
3. A Clear Takeaway for the Reader
Ask yourself:
What will readers learn, feel, or think differently after reading my story?
Will they feel inspired? Encouraged? Challenged? Healed?
When writing about your personal life, readers aren’t searching for how interesting it is; it’s about your struggles and how they can help or move them forward.
Final Thoughts
You have found answers to several questions about book publishing in this question.
Now, you know what authors get paid for their first book. You’ve seen how much they can make per book.
So, should you write a book? Should you publish a book? Is writing a book profitable? Yes!
You can kickstart your book publishing journey!
Writing a book is quite fulfilling if you are passionate about your knowledge, story, and ideas.
Do you need help with drafting and writing? The Exquisite Writer is waiting to make your project memorable.
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