From Blank Page to Bank Account: How to Make Money From Your Book While Writing It
Whether in corporate, running your own business, or starting a side hustle, a book can be a great way to boost your income. Here are 3 ways you can make money while writing your book.
In a world that’s constantly trying to silence us, writing a book is a great way to find your voice and have a major positive impact on this world. But we can’t make a difference in the world around us if we don’t have the resources to support ourselves.
That’s why I’m constantly talking about both the craft and the business side of writing. It’s also why Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program includes coaching around marketing and monetization along every part of the process, from idea to published book. Because I want you to be fully empowered to tell your story – and that includes having the money you need to thrive.
In today’s online world, careers are made off of quality content – and there’s still nothing more potent than a book.
Content is queen right now and if you’re not making time to tell your story you’re missing out on personal and professional opportunities.
Writing a book can establish you as an expert in your field way before any other content medium. It’s also a great way to make passive income.
According to Forbes, the average business owner with a published book sees an increase of 37% in sales.
Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, having a book helps build credibility and interest with employers, according to LinkedIn.
With on-demand printing, books are a great way to build long-term passive income. Self-published authors can earn 40% to 60% royalties for the selling price of a book, and traditionally published authors make about 6% to 12% royalties.
You don’t have to wait for your book to be published to make money off of the content.
I highly suggest writing to tell, not to sell, especially in your first few drafts. If you think about selling too soon, you’ll stifle your creativity and possible censor your voice.
However, once your content is solid – I suggest about the 4th draft in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program – you absolutely can start putting it out in the world and making money off of it.
Here are just a few of the ways people in my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program have made money from their books before they were even published:
While writing her book, Values First, Laura used the content to launch a podcast, build a framework for group coaching programs, and secure corporate consulting offerings.
Through the support they got in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®, Mars quit their job at a non-profit to go full-time as an erotica writer and creative gig worker.
Lauren leveraged the content and coaching in the program to turn their company, Transform Belonging, from a $10,000 a year side hustle in 2022, to a boutique consultancy that made $11,000 in a month in 2023. Plus, Lauren used all of that to help them get a new six-figure job.
Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, it’s absolutely possible to monetize your book content while writing it.
Below, you’ll find three ways to make money off of your book while you’re writing it.
3 ways to make money off of your book before it’s published:
1. Workshops, courses, and coaching
This is exactly what I’ve done myself, both with my current company, SchoolForWriters.com, but also in the past with my sex education (Queerie Bradshaw) and body-positivity (Bawdy Love) companies. It’s been a great way for me to connect with readers, support writers, and make money.
By monetizing your writing process, you can generate income while simultaneously building a loyal community of supporters who are invested in your success. For example, everyone in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® has gotten a behind-the-scenes look at my book, BECAUSE FAT GIRL, and the publishing process, so they’re already mega fans for when it comes out.
And, everyone in that program is making friends with fellow authors, so we’ll help promote their book and programs in return.
That’s why workshops, courses, and coaching is a great way to monetize your writing even before the book is out.
Here are some ways to create programs from your book:
Host online workshops for aspiring fantasy writers, where you share insights into world-building, character development, and plot construction.
Charge a fee for resources such as critique sessions or writing prompts.
Create a membership site or Patreon account where readers can support you financially in exchange for exclusive content, early access to chapters, or personalized feedback on their writing projects.
Offer one-on-one coaching sessions to help individuals improve themselves on a topic from your book.
Create a package that includes personalized goal-setting sessions, accountability check-ins, and access to exclusive resources.
2. Pre-sell Your Book
There are two main ways to pre-sell your book: get a book deal from a publisher or crowdfund from your friends, fans, and followers.
By pre-selling your book to a publisher through a book proposal, you can generate income before your manuscript is complete. This is very rare for fiction books, especially debut novels, but common for non-fiction.
However, book deals off of the proposal alone will require you to have a major following and a concept that’s quick to catch attention. Which means it can be hard for those of us in marginalized communities writing about topics that aren’t as mainstream to get a big deal.
For some of us, pre-selling to our own community is a much better and more sustainable way to make money to write your book.
Either way, you’re pulling people into your book and asking them to invest in it based on the premise alone, so make sure you have a solid hook and pitch to grab their attention (we can help you make that in Write Your Friggin’ Book Already®).
Here are some ways to pre-sell your book:
Launch a Kickstarter campaign to pre-sell copies of your fantasy novel. Offer backers rewards such as exclusive character artwork, personalized thank-you notes, or a chance to have their name featured in the book's acknowledgments section.
Set up a pre-order page on your website for your book. Offer early bird discounts, bonus chapters, or access to a private Facebook group where readers can discuss productivity tips and strategies.
Create a book proposal and send it out to agents and publishers to get a book deal.
Release chapters of your fantasy novel on a weekly basis on your blog or Patreon page. Offer subscribers early access to chapters, author commentary, and bonus content such as maps or character sketches.
Send out a weekly newsletter series featuring tips, strategies, and success stories based around your book content. Include excerpts from your upcoming book and offer subscribers a discount on pre-orders.
3. Explore Sponsorship and Brand Partnerships
This is one I rarely see people do, but can be super lucrative. When I launched my Queerie Bradshaw brand in 2009, it was one of the first lesbian sex blogs on the Internet and I got loads of brands willing to sponsor posts, podcast episodes, and reviews – all content I used in my book (which, sadly, publishers never wanted).
It worked because I was really niche, so I reached out to the companies that support that specific audience and we were a great fit for collaboration. Not only did we make each other money, we also grew our impact and influence by introducing each other to our followers.
You don’t need a big following to make this happen, you just need to find a company that’s aligned with what you do and offer them a collaboration that works for them.
Here are some ways to make money from brand partnerships:
Reach out to brands or companies that align with the themes or topics of your book and propose collaboration opportunities, such as sponsored content, product placement, or brand integration.
Offer advertising space on your website or in your email newsletter to relevant businesses or organizations looking to reach your audience.
Partner with a genre-themed subscription box service to include a chapter of your novel in their monthly boxes.
Offer subscribers exclusive discounts on the full book and collaborate on themed merchandise such as bookmarks or enamel pins.
Write sponsored blog posts or social media content for apps or tools aligned with what you write. Share how these products have helped you improve your own productivity and offer readers special discounts or promo codes.
What are some ways you’ve monetized your content? Let us know in the comments!
Whether you're crafting an epic fantasy saga or sharing practical productivity tips, turning your book idea into a profitable venture requires creativity, strategic planning, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Remember, the journey from a blank page to a bank account is filled with opportunities for creativity, innovation, and financial success. So, embrace the challenge, think outside the box, and turn your writing dreams into reality—all while making money along the way.
And if you want help marketing and monetizing your book while you write it, check out my Write Your Friggin’ Book Already® program.
Because the world needs your story now more than ever.™