Indie Author Earnings and Industry Insights

This chapter presents findings from a Wittenward Media author survey that reveal a wide income disparity among indie authors, with a small subset earning significant monthly amounts. It discusses the importance of having a solid backlist and effective marketing strategies while navigating the evolving publishing landscape, which increasingly features a middle class of independent authors. Additionally, the chapter critiques the role of AI and venture capital in the publishing industry, shedding light on misconceptions about self-publishing and the disconnect between the tech and literary worlds.