Starting My Writing Journey in 2017

At 19, I began writing on Wattpad purely for enjoyment. After reading various stories, I published my own within two months—albeit a poorly structured piece with inadequate grammar.

My initial excitement burned brightly but quickly faded as criticism rolled in. It was harsh and disheartening, leading me to question my new hobby.

Lesson: Don’t anticipate immediate results from your experiments.

In addition to writing, I aspired to be a businesswoman. If you're interested in how I launched my first e-commerce site, check it out here: Finally! I Did It — Opened My First E-commerce Website.

A Comeback in 2020

For three years, I struggled to find the motivation to write again. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leaving me without a job or studies, and I was inspired to start a new book.

I had abandoned my first story halfway through. Should I begin a second? My 150 followers might not appreciate it, given that some awaited updates on the first book.

Encouraging myself with the thought that I owed nothing to anyone, I decided to write the second book for my own satisfaction.

It turned out to be a success.

If someone asked when my life took a turn, I would point to that moment.

First Earnings from the Book

One day, I received an unexpected message: "We want to publish your book on our platform for compensation."

I was taken aback.

What? Why would they pay me for this?

I hesitated for an hour, thinking it might be a scam. But curiosity got the better of me, and I replied for more information.

It was from NovelCat.

If you’re unfamiliar, NovelCat is a Chinese ebook platform that compensates authors for their work. I learned about Exclusive and Non-exclusive contracts through them.

If you’re already knowledgeable about these terms, feel free to skip this section.

Exclusive Contract: Under this agreement, the platform assumes all rights related to distribution, translation, editing, and writing. You cannot publish the same book elsewhere or alter it. While the compensation is higher (ranging from $500 to $1500 USD per book), you effectively relinquish all control over your work.

Non-exclusive Contract: This allows you to retain the same rights but permits you to grant similar rights to other platforms. You can distribute, translate, and sub-lease your book to multiple paid platforms. Compensation is generally lower, around $50 to $150 USD per book.

The company sought exclusive rights, but I chose not to remove my book from Wattpad. So, I opted for a Non-exclusive Contract, and that’s how I earned my first $50.

However, I made a mistake.

I neglected to review or seek advice on the terms of the contract. The editor who contacted me failed to mention that the contract had an indefinite term, meaning I could never have my book taken down from their platform. Despite multiple attempts to contact them, they denied my request to terminate the contract.

In addition to the $50, I earned $100 to $150 in royalties. The platform provides bonuses and shares royalties, typically around 50% of net profits. "Net profits" refers to the amount left after deducting expenses like advertising and distribution.

In summary, while it was a quick way to earn some cash, it felt like a long-term loss. Nevertheless, if you’re not overly attached to your book and have confidence in it, there’s potential. Some authors reportedly make $5000 USD per month in royalties from a single title. So, ultimately, I earned $150 from NovelCat.

Second Earnings from the Same Book

Since I retained non-exclusive rights, my decision proved wise. When approached by different platforms, I granted them non-exclusive rights as well, this time to GoodNovel.

You might be familiar with GoodNovel; it operates under a similar model where writers earn by creating content that readers pay to access. The compensation structures for bonuses, royalties, and contracts are also comparable.

I earned another $50 from them and approximately $200 in royalties—totaling $250. While it was a decent arrangement, it took around 3 to 4 months.

Third Earnings from the Book

Once I grasped how everything functioned, I sought out more platforms, received multiple offers, and granted them non-exclusive rights to my book for similar compensation. The platforms included JoyRead, AlphaNovel, OwoNovel, and Libri.

I earned $1000 within a year. It wasn’t quick money, but the experience and lessons about my own value were priceless. I only allowed my first two books on these platforms, and once I realized the hidden complexities of the contracts, I refrained from signing any additional titles.

While I encourage you to explore these options, it’s crucial to be aware of potential downsides that others might not mention. This insight will enable you to make informed decisions.

Disadvantages

• Long-term contracts: Most platforms now require commitments of 5 to 30 years.
• Chinese Platforms: Many are startups with a focus on experimentation; if their model fails, they may exit the market.
• Sub-licensing: They might share your rights with other platforms without your consent, potentially leading to exploitation as your work gets translated into multiple languages and sold internationally.
• Long-term benefits: Trends dictate book sales. What was popular five years ago likely won’t sell now. Continuous effort is necessary to maintain income, which can be exhausting.
• Saturated Markets: These platforms are crowded, and your earnings depend heavily on editor promotion. Without it, your book may remain unnoticed.

Considering these factors, I chose not to engage further with them.

BONUS TIP

If I were to embark on this journey anew to earn my first $1000 through these platforms, I would adopt the following strategy:

1. Research the platform: Investigate the website and its country of origin before signing any contract; it can significantly impact your experience.
2. Download their app and spend a week using it: Immerse yourself in the reader's perspective. Would you invest your money in their books? If so, proceed with caution.
3. Assess your book's compatibility with the platform: Not every genre or style will resonate with all audiences. My mistake was writing for an Indian audience while these platforms primarily catered to U.S. and Filipino readers.
4. Make necessary revisions to the book: This may seem like an unnecessary chore, but refining your work is essential. Focus on grammar, structure, and character names to ensure quality. A well-polished book is more marketable.

Ultimately, prioritize building a loyal readership rather than chasing quick profits. Pour your heart and soul into your writing, regardless of immediate financial gain, and the rewards will follow.

Please remember that I’ve learned these lessons through trial and error, and I hope to guide you away from making the same mistakes.

For further insights into my journey, check this out! What Does an Online Fiction Writer Get?

If you're curious about leveraging AI to enhance your writing, explore this: Can AI Help You Turn Your $100 to $1000?

For a CheatSheet on Character Sketch Development, click here.

Until next time, take care!