Authors in the UK have a wide range of sources of income, but the majority of their earnings come from publishers. According to a survey of 50,000 writers, UK authors’ earnings and contracts in 2018, 73% of their income came from publishers, with a mean of £21,495 and a median of £3,720.
The second most important source of income for authors in the UK is lectures, with 9% of their income coming from this source. The mean was £2,714 and the median was £250. Self-publication was the third most important source of income, with 9% of their income coming from this source. The mean was £2,613 and the median was £0.
Creative writing classes were the fourth most important source of income for authors in the UK, with 4% of their income coming from this source. The mean was £1,297 and the median was £0. Other sources of income for authors in the UK include royalties, book sales, competitions, and grants.
The survey also found that authors in the UK are more likely to be self-employed than employed by a publisher. This means that authors are responsible for managing their own finances and contracts, which can be a challenge.
Overall, the survey found that authors in the UK are able to make a living from their writing, but the amount of money they make varies widely. While some authors make a lot of money, others struggle to make ends meet. It is important for authors to understand their sources of income and how to maximize their earnings.