If money was no object, what would I be doing? Really, one of two things:
1) Domestic Engineer who had the means to bring in a cleaning lady once a month, in order to tackle those icky housework chores like cleaning the bathtub/shower and DEEP cleaning the house.
-Attend multiple conventions every year
-Pay for cover art/edits w/o the payment plan
-Have plenty of promo to hand out
-Pay for advertising w/o batting an eye.
2) Own my own bookstore/Cafe and NOT have to worry about the town supporting it or not. My store would be right down town, and host events every other month or so.
-I could employ someone to make soup and sandwiches for lunch, and maybe even open up for breakfast. Once a month, be open for dinner.
-Host author signings
-During NaNo, be a sponsored write-in spot.
-Host 'Open Mic' Night.
-Every month, spotlight a new Indie author.
In short, have enough money that I didn't have to worry about every penny. My income would replace what I spend....which really isn't that extravagant. I mean, I generally spend $500/month on food; $40/month on e-books, $100/year (okay, maybe $200!) on print books; and maybe $300/year on clothes. Last year I spent over $1000 on promotion/venue costs/inventory.
Is it too much to ask that my income exceed my needs?
I'll admit; I've got 'champagne tastes on a beer budget'....but I've learned to somewhat curb that as I've gotten older.
In short, have enough money that I didn't have to worry about every penny. My income would replace what I spend....which really isn't that extravagant. I mean, I generally spend $500/month on food; $40/month on e-books, $100/year (okay, maybe $200!) on print books; and maybe $300/year on clothes. Last year I spent over $1000 on promotion/venue costs/inventory.
Is it too much to ask that my income exceed my needs?
I'll admit; I've got 'champagne tastes on a beer budget'....but I've learned to somewhat curb that as I've gotten older.
What are YOUR dreams?
To see what other authors dream of, go here.
12 comments:
Ah, yes, writing conferences. Multiple ones All of the biggies. What a dream come true that would be!
Great idea. I love the idea of owing a book store/café without the pressure of it having to turn a profit. I may add to my own list. I think I'd like for it to be in small town near the water with a large artsy population and tourists that come from far and wide.
I'm totally on board with both your dreams but especially #1. I would so SO love to have someone do all that cleaning. I have to get started on the 'deep' clean of my house prior to my daughter's graduation party. Not looking forward to it.
There's a reason they say money makes the world go round. I commented else where that I need to add winning lotto to my post.
Love the idea of bookstore. Oh wait a minute, I think I have one. It's called my office. :)
Oh, I love your dreams and I really want that cleaning lady too :)
The cleaning lady does sound good, and wouldn't it be nice to make enough money to unlimited promo. Sigh.
I'd love to attend conferences. That's another dream of mine. I like the sound of having a cleaning lady too.
Writing income can vary wildly, so keep hanging in there. I've had years when novels were my #1 income source, and other years (like last year--uhg!) when my sales dropped by half for no reason I can discern. Here are my dreams.
@Sherry: I'd love to be able to attend RT and not just for the book signing! Esp if they ever return to Orlando. Le sigh....I'd spend 2 weeks there!
@Shari: We had one a few years ago, but the town didn't support us; they were happy to donate books, just not BUY them back! Plus, we weren't in a very good location.
@Meka: I had to laugh....after I joined FB and my HS friends found out I was pubbed, I posted about needing to clean the bathroom. Up popped a PM..."Don't you have a maid?" Ummmm.....no......
@Helen: See? All my books are boxed up and in storage. Anther dream of mine is to have them ALL on bookshelves in my house! Still working on that; I plan to convert a space in my basement for that purpose!
@Maureen: I know my hubby would appreciate it, ha ha!
@Linda: I definitely did NOT marry for money, and some months pinching pennies gets very old.
@Alicia: I'd also like to be able to BUY books at conferences, or even be a sponsor!
@Ed: I'm catching up to you; I just had my 10th published:) Best of luck to you!
I'm right there in your dreams with you,Kenzie. Once I had a cute little place picked out for a bookstore if I ever opened one. I love your dreams.
@Mary: Thank you:) I've got my eye on a place in our downtown area.....now to find a way to PAY for it....
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