Self-publishing has opened the door for many aspiring authors to share their work with the world without relying on traditional gatekeepers. But while the creative freedom is a huge win, many new authors wonder: How much money can I actually make in my first year of self-publishing? The honest answer? It varies widely — but for most, it’s modest at best.

The Reality of First-Year Royalties

For most first-time self-published authors, earnings in the first year are relatively low. We’re talking anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred. There are exceptions, of course — breakout authors who strike gold with the right book at the right time — but they’re not the norm. Without an established platform or an aggressive marketing strategy, sales tend to trickle in slowly.

When I started my self-publishing journey in September 2022, I had high hopes. Since then, I’ve published three books. But as of now, three years later, I’ve made less than $200 in royalties. That’s not to say the books weren’t a worthwhile project — I’m proud of what I’ve created. But it does highlight how critical consistent marketing is to building sales momentum.

Life Happens — and So Does the Pause on Promotion

In my case, life threw some wonderful distractions my way: marriage, buying a house, and now a baby on the way. All of these are amazing milestones, but they also meant I didn’t have the time or energy to fully promote my newer books. And that lack of marketing really showed in the earnings.

Self-publishing isn’t just about writing the book — it’s about constantly getting it in front of the right readers. That can mean running ads, building an email list, being active on social media, doing giveaways, and networking with other authors. When that effort drops off, so do the sales.

The Expense Factor

It’s also important to talk about costs. Even on a shoestring budget, self-publishing isn’t free. If you want a professional-looking product, you’ll likely need to invest in:

Cover design ($50–$500+)Editing and proofreading ($200–$1000+ depending on length)Formatting ($50–$200 unless you do it yourself)Marketing and ads (very variable, but many authors spend $100–$500+ per launch)

These upfront expenses often mean that authors operate at a loss in their first year, especially if book sales are slow. It’s not uncommon to spend more than you make early on.

The Long Game

The good news is that self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Books don’t vanish from shelves — they can continue earning income for years. Many successful authors don’t hit their stride until their fifth, seventh, or even tenth book. If you keep writing and publishing while gradually improving your craft and learning marketing strategies, earnings can grow steadily over time.

Final Thoughts

Your first year as a self-published author likely won’t be a financial windfall. But it is an important learning experience and the beginning of what can become a sustainable income stream — with persistence. My own earnings so far reflect the time and energy I’ve (or haven’t) been able to invest. And if there’s one lesson that rings true for all authors: marketing frequently and consistently really is key.