How Much Money I Made as a Fantasy Author in 2022

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Жыл бұрын

Get my free writing advice book: '5 Lessons That Transformed My Writing': jedherne.com/lessons
⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
1:10 - Siege of Treboulain
5:25 - Other book royalties
6:19 - Freelance book editing/cover design
7:30 - KZfaq revenue
7:58 - Total writing income
8:30 - Lesson 1: Find a good day job
9:28 - Lesson 2: Only compare you to you
9:56 - Lesson 3: Minimise your expenses
10:48 - Lesson 4: Money is just a tool
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🧑 ABOUT ME:
Hi! My name's Jed. I'm a fantasy author with three published novels and a bestselling video game. On this channel, I draw from my 10+ years of writing experience to help you become a better writer.
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Пікірлер: 133

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Write, finish, and publish an incredible novel that readers will love with my advanced Story Coaching program. Inside the program, I’ll personally work with you 1-on-1 to help you master the craft of storytelling and finish your first novel. Apply here: jedherne.com/coaching/

@t0dd000 Жыл бұрын

Extra tidbit: no matter how much or how little you make, don't neglect saving for retirement. And don't touch that money until retirement. You will be there in a blink of an eye.

@insertwittynamehere8947 11 ай бұрын

Good advice indeed!

@nathankiefer9323 Ай бұрын

Invest instead of just save, make your money work for you

@thepocketboy Жыл бұрын

I'm a flight attendant which is seriously perfect for writing. I just broke 75k words for my first novel and I'm working on the ending now. I've had a blast doing it. Great job on your journey!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Nice stuff! I'm curious - how is being a flight attendant useful for the writing?

@thepocketboy Жыл бұрын

@@Jed_Herne it's an easy job. Not mentally taxing. I have tons of down time in hotels. Often have to sit at the airport doing nothing else. My schedule itself is super flexible. I can work 24 days a month or 3 days a month. And they pay fairly decently. Tons of available time to type on my story.

@4xdblack 10 ай бұрын

@@thepocketboywhy do I suddenly want to become a flight attendant? 😮

@germanshepherdmom1143 9 ай бұрын

I applied for a flight attendant position recently but was rejected.

@thepocketboy 9 ай бұрын

@@germanshepherdmom1143 it's one of those jobs that you have to keep applying for. Most people have to apply several times. It's a long process and there's a crazy ton of applicants every year. So don't give up if it's what you really want to do :)

@Darien_England Жыл бұрын

I know a lot of people who hate their jobs. They dream about making it big as a screenwriter, a novelist, a game designer but then they end up hating those jobs because they say they don't have enough money to handle them. After starting the work on writing the first draft of a book and an accompanying Comic book, these kinds of things are nice to help set my mind at ease and prep. I only just found your channel, so I'll probably begin watching you in between random bursts of philosophical essays of Jacob Geller.

@brutesRmine Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your honesty and transparency, Jed. As an aspiring author myself who's currently editing my debut novel, your insight has helped ease the anxiety of wandering into the wide, open sea of publishing financials and numbers. Thank you!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@billyalarie929 Жыл бұрын

Honestly, I love these videos.

@Goddammitdount 9 күн бұрын

I enjoy you're writing advice/guidance videos, but it's your life advice (writer specific) that really hits home.

@Evanski01 Жыл бұрын

I really love your honesty and transparency in this one!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Cheers!

@NarcissisticMedia 7 ай бұрын

Came across this video and couldn’t resist dropping a comment. I’m usually into fiction with a side of Cyberpunk, not so much sci-fi or fantasy. It’s cool seeing someone young share their writing earnings with such a chill vibe, saying out loud things I’ve thought over the years. I’ve noticed this community, even just from a glance into comics and anime, is pretty supportive. Definitely gets me more interested in these genres. Excited to see where your journey goes, and I’ll be keeping an eye out!

@richtercarlsen6289 10 ай бұрын

Your content punches above a lot of “big” channels, it’s great seeing it take off. Refreshing seeing disclosure from an up and coming writer. Thanks for sharing with us, friend. Best wishes and take care!

@Jed_Herne 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!

@Joylevinstein 10 ай бұрын

Congrats on your positive outlook on things. It looks like you' re honest with yourself first which is always a recipe for success. Good luck!

@amnaahmed1748 Жыл бұрын

Honestly this is one of the best writing videos I've come across online. Thanks for the advice!

@derekb.4292 Жыл бұрын

This was really informative, thanks for sharing all of this information and "keeping it real" in terms of what the income streams were, where they came from, and what you do on top of writing to make a liveable income!

@ruwan591 6 ай бұрын

So humble and open! Subscribed!

@bksmith82 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the transparency. This is the 2nd or 3rd video of yours I've watched. I'm definitely subscribing and checking out the rest of your videos. I like your authenticity and the vibe you bring. Congrats on having a profitable year! Consistency & Momentum are so important to success.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

@jordendarrett1725 Жыл бұрын

This is golden advice Jed. I can’t identify strongly with making comparisons that elevate you and don’t drag you down. A lesson I’ve learned many times

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jorden!

@karimsoliman1611 Жыл бұрын

Glad to see how far you have come, Jed! Congrats! And here is to another amazing year :)

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Karim!

@EmmaMarch 11 ай бұрын

This is the video that made me subscribe ❤ i love your transparency ❤

@ABC12380564 Жыл бұрын

Well done on the transparency, Jed. It's an excellent way for writers at the beginning of their career to gauge how things are likely to go, so they can adjust their expectations accordingly. Hopefully the bottom line continues to grow!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Robert!

@Hadris557 Жыл бұрын

I discovered your channel recently but I love your attitude and advice and very much look forward to watching more of your videos.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

@trevorreads Жыл бұрын

This is awesome. I'll be self publishing my first book this year. Thank you, Jed!

@centurionstrengthandfitnes3694 Жыл бұрын

Really appreciated this vid. Thanks for your openness. Very helpful.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@englishhomestead Жыл бұрын

Great video Jed. And thanks for the honesty with it.

@luisdall5575 Жыл бұрын

Great advice as always Jed! Super stoked for your success and future successes!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Cheers Luis :)

@realchris 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, wonderful info!

@iindium49 8 ай бұрын

Very insightful, thank you.

@nani543 5 ай бұрын

Such great information, thank you so much!!!

@ctaylorcaldwell Жыл бұрын

I had no idea about any of this it's quite the eye opener. Thanks for such an informative video it's really interesting even for a none writer like me.

@bazhumke4040 Жыл бұрын

Seen a few of your videos but this made me sub. Love the transparency and the lessons at the end were great. Saw a similar video by Sanderson the other day from a few years ago talking about doing hard things (writing novels) for the sake of doing hard things, not to become famous. You'll be making a lot more very soon I feel!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Baz! I appreciate the support :)

@romeoaranjon5178 Жыл бұрын

Great video and great advice all around. Just signed up for your book. Keep it up.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@theimaginarium 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic info, thanks so much JH

@Loud_Thinker 10 ай бұрын

Good, honest video. Thank you!

@user-rn2cx4qq4e 5 ай бұрын

You’re doing great! Let’s goooo

@virgoh1124 4 ай бұрын

Only discovered your channel a few minutes ago, your content seems very valuable. Clearly this video eased a bit my fear of trying to become a writer

@Kiwi_Dad Жыл бұрын

You are very intelligent and have a great head on your shoulders for such a young man. Well done.

@bdup159 Жыл бұрын

" don't equate money with your self worth"

@homeisadream Жыл бұрын

Great stuff! Thank you! 😊

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@albertolopes829 Жыл бұрын

Jed, your videos are excellent. Extra points for how clear you speak, for people like me who don't have English as their first language, it gets difficult if the person speaks too fast, but you speak fast and I can understand you 😀!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alberto! Glad they're helpful

@themusespeakstome4467 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for an informative and encouraging video. 🙂

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@ianminto6315 11 ай бұрын

Really appreciate your honesty and transparency. Subbed and enjoying your channel. Thank you!

@Jed_Herne 11 ай бұрын

Welcome!

@taylorvessel7813 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for being so upfront but with a positive, realistic perspective! I feel like my full time marketing/communications job combined with some other hobbies keep me from writing. Listening to you has given me some motivation to reevaluate how I use my time. Question for you and others: What tips do you have for find writing pals/critique and accountability partners?

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Critique Circle was quite useful for getting feedback on my stories when I was starting out. I also offer detailed feedback and story critiques in my Story Coaching program: jedherne.com/coaching

@NAZGVL_147 Жыл бұрын

Brand spanking new writer here and I loved this video! I’m less anxious to begin ⚔️

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Good luck!

@fh7041 Жыл бұрын

I have found ur channel recently and been loving it!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

@fh7041 Жыл бұрын

@@Jed_Herne Do you think you can make videos on: Writing better sentences. or chatpet by chapter outlines. Also how to get over that feelings of cringing at your own work because you feel like "Ah no one would find this diaolgue intersting, this is cringy" when in fact its not LOL and your mind is just trying to sike you out. PS do you do witing coaching?

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

@@fh7041 I talked about writing better sentences in this free book: jedherne.com/lessons Not currently offering coaching - but I am planning to launch a course about Outlining Novels later this year. There will be an optional coaching component to that course, most likely.

@kimshawwrites Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this! Must not be easy, but you're right; talking money shouldn't be awkward or some sort of taboo

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@inkbythebarrelandpaperbyth6905 6 ай бұрын

This morning I just finished another one of my short stories and I was like thank God it's done. When you said we're not doing this to get rich I was like aha know we're not ! Love it 😂

@pawpawpawt Жыл бұрын

Can you do a series on how you research unfamiliar topics and build profiles of archetypes of characters different from yourself? Are you limited in your resources to tackle above by being an indie author?

@Adeola90316 3 ай бұрын

Nice ❤

@camronwilliams 10 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot

@missdragon5892 Жыл бұрын

Liked the video

@themightypen1530 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing this. A lot of people thing it's gauche to talk about money but how are people supposed to learn about it if no one is ever willing to teach?

@begobolehsjwjangan2359 Жыл бұрын

This. Go back to my parents basement, write, uber when i need money, back to writing. The best life i could get. No pressure.

@germanshepherdmom1143 9 ай бұрын

That’s the kind of life I want too.

@anthempt3edits Жыл бұрын

Very cool to see the variety of projects you work on in a giver year. Do you think you will continue to do big projects like Siege of Treboulain and Kingdom of Dragons in 2023 or prefer to scale down for a bit?

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

After Kingdom of Dragons, the current plan is to write a further 2 books in this series. Ideally I'd like them to be a tighter 120,000 words each rather than 160,000, but we'll see where it goes :)

@DavidList Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this info. Awesome to hear "get a job that accommodates your writing" because THAT step, I've completed. I also prioritize downsizing my (and household's) expenses and 'needs'. Luckily we're all low maintenance. Now I just need to make money off writing, which will surely require publishing this book.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Awesome work David - you've got the foundations right

@jeffchandler8834 Жыл бұрын

This was a super cool and informative video. Jed, are you willing/able to disclose that the process was like to apply to write for Siege of Treboulain? Like, did you have to supply the game devs with writing examples or something? Just curious what that process would look like for anybody else intrigued to maybe go that route someday. Thanks!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Certainly willing and able - maybe I'll make a video / write a blog post about it some time. Just comes down to finding enough space in the schedule to write about the experience at this point. For now, this guide is fairly comprehensive (and it's direct from Choice of Games): www.choiceofgames.com/looking-for-writers/

@TuftyMcTavish Жыл бұрын

💵 I hadn’t realised the %-age breakdown for different formats. I’m a mass-maker paperback boy so I have the frustration of missing out on the hypewagon for a new book by waiting a year for the right format for me. I wonder if increased paperback sales makes up for the lower percentage cut.

@PhotoBombomb Жыл бұрын

Wow Jed, this a very good and insightful video, probably my favourite of your none WWW videos so far! Completely 100% agree on the stigma around talking about money being pointless. And well done on everything you’ve made thus far. I can see it doubling in 2023 for you for sure :) Hope you had a great festive period and good luck with your projects this year!

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Thanks Adam! Fingers crossed on the growth - hopefully we get even more than double

@Israfil_channel 9 ай бұрын

Thank you for telling us about your experience. I write very good stories, but I can't market at all. What do you think is the best option for me? Selling on sites like Medium? Or cooperation with a publisher? ‏‪

@SzaboB33 4 ай бұрын

I work in tech (not as a programmer, but I have a good general knowledge of it) and I just started writing and I can't unsee the similarities of programming and writing. I am talking about how the outlining process makes a huge difference how easy it is to write a scene for me vs the same designing step in coding before jumping into it. I want to not do both the desigining part and the outline part and I always regret it because I get distracted :D

@adrianelegislador5644 Жыл бұрын

Gosh, you're the author of Treboulain??

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Yep :)

@Farms-R-cool Жыл бұрын

Damn I thought he had like 10000 subs I didn’t realize

@voom4430 10 ай бұрын

Hello, I have about 5 novels, but how do I sell online or sell off the novels. Please reply me. Thanks

@kavilwagh 10 ай бұрын

Brooo... you left architecture 😅 i have done the samee (left architecture) and i am selected for ma in creative writing in Greenwich. I only have experience in content writing and and am exploring copywriting so i hope i will get a job in UK and also could write fiction until i can quit my day job...great bumping into you tho

@essaysbyken Жыл бұрын

Fantastic input! I especially liked your advice about finding a day job that compliments your writing. I've found that to be a game-changer. I've been a professional writer since 2012. While that sounds like I should be going on book tours, what that actually looks like was my first job as a writer-creating website copy and blog articles for a marketing agency for $8/hour. My nickname with the web developers was "Word B*tch," as in "Hey, Word B*tch-write me some words...Word B*tch." Broke as hell-driving a hand-me-down beater car, living on vending machine food. But that didn't matter because when people asked what I did for a living, I could fog-shine my fingernails on my collarbone and say..."Oh, me? I'm a WRITER." 😆 Over the years as I've gained experience, received promotions, migrated upward to better and better positions, and even taken supervisors' jobs (not as bloody as it sounds), I've found my groove as a content marketing dude by day, typewriter destroyer by coffee break, evening, night, and weekend. Having a job that pays me to become a better writer is, as I said, a game-changer. I'm being paid to hone my craft-even if it is writing buying guides, video scripts, marketing copy, and industry news. All writing helps all writing. Keep it up!

@sanderella1642 Жыл бұрын

$9,457.73 at 8:04 he disclosed amount.

@datbul 6 ай бұрын

THANK YOU! (WHAT THE FUCK ARE THE REST OF YOU DOING IN THE COMMENTS!!??)

@mattamant915 Жыл бұрын

0:41 almost looks like The Continental from John Wick

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Yeah, the assassins have been after me for a while

@Theiliteritesbian Жыл бұрын

Writers are in it for the fame - theres a reason the unpopular ones are bitter - it isn't because they couldn't 'find a story'

@SimplesSouvenirs 3 ай бұрын

my dream is to be an author and im curently writting a fantasy serie... im also a architecture student ahaha When you said that leaving that industry helped you, i was like: oh well... hahah

@2Infinit2 Жыл бұрын

How and where did you self publish your physical books? Are they print on demand?

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Google: IngramSpark Amazon Print on Demand Those are the two I used, and they'll give you everything you need to know

@2Infinit2 Жыл бұрын

@@Jed_Herne cheers :)

@casper_z1259 11 ай бұрын

I'm writing my own fantasy novel and I am absolutely doing it 55% for the $$$😅

@getkraken8064 Жыл бұрын

How easy is it for someone who buys an Ebook to share it with another person? I am wondering if offering a BOGO Ebook promotion would be feasible. It would not be feasible is someone can buy an Ebook download and pass it around to friends. If not, then a free ebook with every one bought, so they could share it with someone else for free, might work.

@imgrimbur Жыл бұрын

I wanted to be a writer but, in my small country, you just cant make living out of it. So i figured out im going to start youtube with reviews of books and tv shows. And as sidecontent doo short stories reading. That way i may publish something later on as anthology. Im just starting out and figuring out how to make videos. Dou you make a script of what you say on video and learn it by heart? Or do you have some kind of trick to read text as if you dont? I wish you luck dude. My journey just started. But im looking up to you as an example.

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

I write out a script beforehand, try to memorise it best as I can, then read ~50-100 words at a time from memory, checking back in with my script as required. Pretty much whenever you see a cut = me checking back with the script :D. For some videos, I'll have just a few dot points and talk off the cuff - depends how important it is to nail specifics.

@imgrimbur Жыл бұрын

@@Jed_Herne Thank you, it frustrates me when i have perfect reading on 3 pages and on 4 i mess up, i guess im going to make more smaller clips.

@Mauricio-or1rd Жыл бұрын

@@imgrimbur just use some teleprompter app on your smartphone and put it below the camera, so you can read and look to the camera, it's pretty helpful.

@vladtheimpala1 7 ай бұрын

I think you probably meant "complements" your writing, not "compliments" - sorry, as a fellow novelist and editor, I couldn't resist.

@richardn3387 Жыл бұрын

In a previous career as a game designer and participating in an online forum, the question "how much money can I make?" always came up. Our collective reply was quite often "zero". The motivation has to be designing, or writing, or painting, or performing, etc.; not making a lot of money

@xylonpesquera8605 Жыл бұрын

Even if all you make is a few hundred per year, that makes a nice Christmas bonus.

@sillyblackfox 5 ай бұрын

Actually, I'm writing with the intention of becoming rich. Great video though, thanks!

@ryanD4848 Жыл бұрын

@blueducks0 Жыл бұрын

Omg I love your nose 🥰

@evilgenius97 Жыл бұрын

"How to make money" a book by someone making money off a book. I found that funny

@BreeVri Ай бұрын

The BEST Stories Are Video Games Stories! Bar None.

@billyalarie929 Жыл бұрын

I thought the cover of this video was about you having a full breakdown realizing how tragically little an author makes

@Jed_Herne Жыл бұрын

Ha!

@scroletyper8286 6 ай бұрын

Guy ur getting ripped off

@theboringmiddle 24 күн бұрын

Um, no. the thumbnail says the author is "Ed Herne". I'm not sure who the "Jed guy is but he's a thief

@mesaana1112 4 ай бұрын

But now you make $3500 per person for your "classes" ha you found a sceme.

@arthurthegreatandpowerful3841 Жыл бұрын

9:10 yeah guys. It’s super easy. All you have to do is find a job that allows you to only work 3 days a week, pays you enough to pay all your bills and then some, and that will let you just stop coming in whenever your writing career takes off a tiny bit.

@arthurthegreatandpowerful3841 Жыл бұрын

Oh please. Stop acting like wanting to make money is a bad thing. Jesus. MOST writers write to make money. Stop pretending otherwise.