Sometimes writing and art are your retreat from the world of daily living. Sometimes your creativity can be sold for money. Unless you are clear that you do not care whether the world embraces your output and your creations, it is better to remain in the realm of creativity. Like a beautiful flower that blooms merely for the sake of the blossom, our work is like the generosity of nature.
If you are okay with whatever the response to work is fine with you, then I suggest you sell your creative output. This is very different than objectifying and monetizing who you are at your core as a writer and artist. We are gathering our power as creative beings and sharing a truth, a light, a hope and some peace with our work in the world. A generosity of spirit is our currency.
In the last 15 years of creating books I have earned about $10.00. Because each of my publishers has a minimum amount of earnings required before releasing payment to me, I have not received any of that $10.00. That is just fine with me as I know that "my coins are safe" in the Publishers account and I have a contract with them.
We authors and artists need to be clear what payment for our work symbolizes to us. Yes, it is validation that someone was interested enough in what we produce to have a piece of it for themselves. It does not symbolize our worth as a creative being though.
It is paramount that you understand this. If you do not, you risk disrupting the creative flow. If your creations are your "babies" then you need to care for them the same way you would a real child. You nurture them, bring them along and send them out into the world like fledglings to discover where they can go while being who they are.
In my explorations since 2005, I have identified two publishers that work for me. Lulu.com can do a print book easily. Apple Publishing can do an eBook easily. They do not excel at each other's strengths. I have sold at least one copy of my work on each platform and bought at least on copy of my work on each platform for my own creative library. This is the culmination of 15 years work for me.
Each of us has our own timeline. It takes me a long, long time to be ready for the response of the world. I know I can continue to explore and improve my creative products so that I am proud of what I send into the world. That is my bottom line. While I would like to have an income from my work, at this point in my life it does not mean that I need an income from my work. There is a big difference there. If I had to make my living for my daily needs from publishing I would be on shaky ground. Stability is paramount to me and should be to all creative voices at this time.
I would encourage all of us to learn what the meaning of selling our work is for ourselves. Stay out of the illusion of the "get rich quick" hooks from online publishers and find those you can work with, that respond to you, and that are interested in producing a good product for you. Then you will be all right.
