Being an Author vs. Running a Business as an Author

Is there a difference between being an author versus running a business as an author? In this interview with Joanna Penn, we discuss some of the important shifts that happen when you begin treating your writing (and/or your art) also as your business.

We also cover:

  • The trade-offs that can make full-time writing possible
  • The business models that writers are using these days
  • The commonalities of authors making over $100,000 per year
  • Understanding the profit and loss statement for your book

Joanna offers up our interview in three ways:

I’m grateful to Joanna for inviting me as a guest on her series, and hope you find some useful takeaways in our discussion.

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LisaRivero

Two of my favorite writing bloggers together in one place! Thanks for a terrific interview. My favorite part: “When you realize that you have to start saying no, I think that’s a major turning point for a lot of people…” (Jane). I’m right there, at the beginning of the turning point, and it feels just scary enough for me to know it’s right.

A.R. Williams

Regarding royalties for multi author books:

Since most authors who self-publish probably already have an account set up with their banking information, it seems the retailers could set up a split payment option that would automatically divide payments.

The book could have a special log in screen where everyone contributing to the project could enter their information. The screen would only show that author their account information, but it could allow for a “Do you have the right to publish this material” during the publishing process that all the authors would be able to agree to.

Abiola Abrams

Great conversation. Thank you!

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[…] Being an Author vs. Running a Business as an Author — Jane Friedman writes about the important shifts that occur when you begin treating your writing as your business. […]

Jim Kukral

Excellent stuff!

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[…] Being an Author vs. Running a Business as an Author  by @JaneFriedman […]

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[…] And last but not least one of my favorite resources Jane Friedman’s interview with Joanna Penn, Being an Author and Running a Business as an Author […]