Can I really make money writing romance novels?
Do you have an idea for a series of Romance books? Diana Gabaldon author of the much-lauded Outlander series is said to have a not too shabby net worth of $110 million [1].
According to the American Writers and Artists Inc., romance novelists can expect to earn between $1,200 and $26,000 per book [2]. What’s more there are over 30 million dedicated romance readers, and demand is growing.
Just last year the UK’s Guardian newspaper published an editorial about the booming romance genre and revealed that younger readers especially were shifting away from digital copies and buying a whopping two thirds of their romance reads in print formats [3}.
But we hear you... “tell it to me straight can little old me actually make money from writing romance novels”? In short...yes! Get cozy with a cup of tea and read on for the nitty gritty when it comes to you actually making money from writing romance!
Write a series not just one book
What do you think the most successful component of the Outlander series was? Arguably it was Gabaldon’s knack for making you want to know more about her main characters Jamie and Claire, and the way in which she delivered that was to write books fleshing out their story over multiple decades and timelines – in a way she made them immortal. The readers got what they wanted and, in the process, Gabaldon made more money as her readers bought each new installment.
2. Write in a popular sub-genre
Some sub-genres of romance are more popular than others. For example, contemporary romance is currently one of the most popular sub-genres. Writing in a popular sub-genre means you have the potential to reach a larger audience and increase your sales. You can tap into existing communities online that will help you connect your work with potential fans.
3. Publish on multiple platforms
While Amazon's KDP is a popular platform for self-publishing romance books, it's not the only option. Consider publishing your books on other platforms like Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. By publishing on multiple platforms, you will multiply your revenue streams and make more money. If your book is suitable for a younger audience, pay heed to their increasing preference for print over digital copies.
4. Invest in tools to help you increase your output
In order to attract readers and present a polished series we recommend you try in tools such as the Love Generator, it provides the perfect platform to brainstorm your ideas, flesh out the details of your story’s structure, and improve your writing skills (plus it’s free!) Writing tools can be a cost-effective way to get a new perspective on your work, troubleshoot problems and hyper-charge your output. Another way to invest in your work might be by taking a writer's course or heading off on a writer’s retreat however beware as these can be more costly.
5. Join Romance Writer Forums and Groups
Join and post away, try to connect with other Romance Writers for tips on how they are making money from writing Romance. You may be able to find beta readers here and also become a beta reader for other writers, which is a great way to learn more about the craft. You can also find ARC readers (Advance Reader Copies) in such groups, who you can pay a small fee to leave reviews and bump up interest in your book.
6. Price your book to get more sales
Going with the book series option, many romance series writers will price their first book super low around $0.99 to entice the reader in. The writer will then charge more for the subsequent books in the romance series. You know the feeling when you just have to buy that next book to know what happens, you don’t care how much it is!
There you have it, it is definitely possible to actually make money writing Romance, time to start dreaming about that beach house!
1 https://wordsrated.com/authors-net-worth-statistics/
2 https://www.tagari.com/how-much-do-romance-authors-make-per-book/
Written by Sophie Hiscox | Sophie is a Marian Keyes fan who can bake a very delicious Persian Love Cake. She also thinks that The Love Generator is the single best tool out there for Romance Writers.
