the craft. what is making a living as a writer?
Many of us dream of being able to write for a living. But I think it’s important to define exactly what that means. When you think of a life as a writer, what does that entail? How do you make your money? While we romanticize the idea, I know I have, it may involve some creativity and ingenuity to make it make sense.
There is a lot of unpaid work to get to the coveted book deal. And when you arrive, boy can it be trickier than you anticipated. I’ve talked about it a bit here on the newsletter, but essentially my five-figure book advance has been paid over four years. Not at all a way to “live” off the advance. My book advance has only been a supplement to my full-time work pay.
While pay schedules can vary, some friends have had two or three payments instead of four, here was the breakdown for me:
2020 - Upon signing the contract.
2021 - Upon turning in my “final” draft. (This is after rounds of edits with my editor.)
2022 - Upon book release
2023 - Upon paperback release (If your book was originally released in hardcover) OR 18 months following publication.
So, until you’re in the big leagues of six and seven-figure book deals, shout out to Deesha Philyaw, living solely as a writer isn’t possible for many of us, especially as Black and POC writers. Unless you have a partner who makes enough for both of you, you may find yourself having to figure out some other vehicles to combine to make a liveable wage.
What does that look like? Well, you have people like me who work in completely different industries for better or worse. Sometimes I think about what it might be like to write for my full-time work, however, I also fear burnout in that way. The fact that I can go to work and use a completely different part of my brain helps me feel more creative at times. Adversely, sometimes I’m so drained from that work I can’t write. Ha!
But then you have folks who work in newsrooms. Journalism. This is a great way to continue sharpening your writing muscles all day and then working on your own projects at night. Whether you're a staff writer, or freelancing, you can have other money coming in while you work on these books.
Then, there is this whole independent economy that I feel like I’m trying to explore for myself. Ideally, my dream is to be able to be the Executive Director of Permission to Write. Pay myself a salary when we get some funding and write my books. And I’m working on getting all the things in place that I would need in order to move PTW into the nonprofit sector. However, in the interim, I’m exploring things like Substack, even writing some things on Medium. I’d also love to maybe find a sponsor for the podcast at some point. We underestimate our ability to create our own product that may be able to help supplement our income as well.
There are also grants that you can apply for as an independent writer which is how some people are able to support themselves while creating. While they can be harder to track down, many are for organizations versus individuals, there are a lot out there. And we love free money! Unrestricted funds as Amanda Johnston, Founder of Torch Literary Arts would say.
Lastly, many writers teach! Hello, that’s why many of them get MFAs. This is a surefire way to be able to teach on a collegiate level. Get the Academia paycheck, have a bit of a flexible schedule outside of your campus hours, and work on your own books.
To recap:
Full-time or part-time work unrelated to writing
Work in a writing capacity, newsroom or freelance writing
Independent economy (substack, medium, etc.)
Grants
Teaching
You know me, this is not an exhaustive list, only some things I’ve compiled and thought about for myself, truly. I, too, dream of that lake house that I saw in The Pieces I Am. Where I can wake up and watch the sunrise before I bleed excellence on a page. But that was Toni Morrison’s place and well earned. A girl can dream.
My hope for you is all the cash a publisher can stand for your brilliant work. However, in the meantime, don’t be afraid to figure out your exact hustle to help support your writing habit.
Writing/Job Opportunities
Matt Wille is on the hunt for features in advance of PAPER's re-launch. Looking for interviews, profiles, and takes in the realms of fashion, music, nightlife, art, and internet culture. The weirder (and queerer) the better! matt@papermag.com.
Princeton University Press is accepting submissions for Book Proposal Development Grants.
The Hechinger Report is hiring an Executive Editor. ($150k)
USA Today is hiring a Beyonce Knowles-Carter Reporter. (No it isn’t a joke. LOL.)
Torch Literary Arts is hiring for multiple roles.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is hiring a News Editor. ($72-76k)
The Hollywood Reporter is hiring an Associate Editor. ($64k)
E! News Online is hiring an Associate Writer/Editor. ($65-85k)
To Be Read
The Book of Hov exhibit will close on Dec. 4th.
Cedric the Entertainer’s New Book ‘Flipping Boxcars’ is a Fictional Love Letter to His Grandpa
Additional Resources
My former editor from Simon & Schuster, Lashanda Anakwah, is taking freelance editing clients. If you have an interest in having editing services for your manuscript, reach out via email and tell her Permission to Write sent you. lashanda.anakwah@gmail.com.