Have you ever dreamed of turning your love for storytelling into a full-time career? Writing children’s books is magical, but making a living from it? That’s the real challenge! The good news is that there are multiple ways to earn money as a children’s book author, beyond just selling books. In this blog post, I’ll break down five key income streams that successful authors use to build their careers.

1. Book Sales & Royalties 📚

When people think of earning money as an author, they think of book sales—but how does it actually work?

• Traditional Publishing Royalties: Authors typically earn 5-10% per printed book (hardcovers usually pay more than paperbacks). E-books pay 25% royalties, and audiobooks range from 10-20%.
• Self-Publishing Royalties: If you self-publish on platforms like Amazon KDP, you can earn 35-70% per sale, while print-on-demand services like IngramSpark offer around 30-50%.
• Direct Sales: Selling directly from your website means you keep 100% of the profits (minus printing costs).

💡 Example: If your book sells for €10 and you get a 10% royalty, that’s €1 per book. Sell 10,000 copies? That’s €10,000!

2. Audiobooks & E-books 🎧📖

Many authors don’t realize how profitable digital formats can be.

• E-books have higher profit margins, with royalties up to 70%.
• Audiobooks can be sold on Audible and Storytel, earning 10-40% royalties.
• Bonus: Some authors earn from YouTube read-aloud videos, monetized through ads and sponsorships.

💡 Example: Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo audiobook has been downloaded thousands of times—each time, she earns a cut!

3. School Visits & Speaking Gigs 🎤

Did you know that authors can earn more from live readings than book sales?

• Schools and libraries pay between €200 – €2,000 for author talks.
• You can sell books directly at these events, boosting your sales.

💡 Example: A school visit with 50 kids buying your book = 50 copies sold in one day!

4. Merchandise & Spin-Offs 🛍️

If your book features a beloved character, think beyond the pages!

• Plush toys, coloring books, stickers, and special editions are easy add-ons.
• Subscription box collaborations help authors reach new audiences.

💡 Example: The Gruffalo has plush toys, puzzles, and even a stage show—adding to its revenue!

5. Foreign Rights & Translations 🌍

Want to expand your audience without extra work?

• Publishers buy translation rights, often offering one-time payments of €1,000 – €10,000.
• Your book could be read by millions of children worldwide.

💡 The Gruffalo has been translated into 40+ languages, making it an international success!

Final Thoughts ✨

As you can see, making a living as a children’s book author involves multiple income streams. Whether through book sales, audiobooks, school visits, merchandise, or foreign rights, there are plenty of ways to turn your passion into a profitable career.

🚀 Want more in-depth advice? Listen to my latest podcast episode where I break these down even further!