By Joe Moore
In Survey Says I, I summarized a member's survey taken by Novelist, Inc. on how many writers with bestsellers and multiple books published could make a living writing. The answer was, not many. In Survey Says II, I covered some of the highlights of a Zogby International/Random House poll on how and where readers shop. With that one we found out among other things that word-of-mouth is the best advertising and cover art really does count as one of the first reasons table browsers pick up a book (or don't). In Survey Says III, I reported on a Sisters In Crime Publishers Summit that, among other revelations, told us that our book cover art is critical, paranormal is hot, thrillers are hotter, and the use of social networks is a great way to promote your books.
This time around, I’m posted some statistics found in Publishers Weekly. The source is the National Endowment for the Arts study--Artists in the Workforce: 1990-2005
185,276 is the total number of authors and writers, 2005
I had a feeling everyone was writing a book.
39% is the increase in authors between 1990 and 2005
Apparently the glamour of a writer’s life has leaked out.
51.9% of authors work full-time writing
This one surprised me, in a good way.
$50,800 is the median income for full-time authors, 2005
Combine this with a part-time job at Dunkin' Donuts and you’ve got a decent salary.
$38,700 is the median income for entire civilian labor force, 2005
That’s the Dunkin' Donuts job I was talking about. Of course you have to be the owner/manager.
$38,800 is the median income for all authors, 2005
May have to combine the Dunkin' Donuts and a Subway sandwich gig.
$47,300 is the median income for male authors, 2005
James Brown sang "it’s a man’s world."
$33,300 is the median income for female authors, 2005
OK, I was joking around about the James Brown lyric. Plus my wife saw what I wrote and whacked me.
54.9% of authors are female
Exactly the same proportion as the famous writing team of Sholes & Moore.
10.8% of authors are minorities
This is sad it’s not more.
26.8% of authors are under age 35
Maturity must count for something.
83.1% of authors have at least a bachelor's degree
If we're so smart, why aren't we all on the bestseller list?
45.9% of authors are self-employed
At least we’re employed.
50,000 is the estimated number of writers living in California and New York
Sort of like a set of national bookends.
No 1 is the rank of Santa Fe, NM, among cities, authors per capita
That’s a lot of laptops using Starbucks hotspots.
So why do so many people want a job that pays little, has no medical benefits, requires us to work 24/7 with no paid vacation or sick leave? I guess it beats that Dunkin' Donuts idea.
Tune in next time for Survey Says V. If there is a next time. My wife is still pissed.
