Finishing your book is an incredible achievement, but once you type “The End,” a new question often takes over: “How many books do I actually need to sell to make money?”
This question is one of the most common among aspiring authors, especially those entering self-publishing for the first time. The truth? There isn’t a single magic number. The amount of books you need to sell depends on multiple factors—your publishing path, royalty rates, book format, marketing strategy, and even your long-term career goals as a writer.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the realities of book sales, break down how much authors typically earn, and show you how to calculate your own break-even point. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how many books you really need to sell to start making money.
Why This Question Matters
Before diving into numbers, let’s clarify why this question is so important. Writing a book isn’t just a creative pursuit—it’s also an investment. Authors often spend months or even years drafting, revising, and perfecting their manuscripts. Then, there are financial investments:
- Professional editing (structural, copyediting, proofreading)
- Cover design and formatting
- ISBNs and distribution
- Marketing and promotion campaigns
For self-published authors, these upfront costs can range from $500 to $5,000 or more depending on the level of professionalism you aim for. Traditional publishing doesn’t usually require authors to pay for production, but the lower royalty rates and intense competition make profitability a longer road.
That’s why knowing how many copies you need to sell helps you set realistic financial goals and decide the best publishing route for your career.
The Main Factors That Affect How Many Books You Need to Sell
There are several factors that directly influence how many books you need to sell before you start making money:
1. Publishing Method
Traditional Publishing
- Royalties: 5–15% on print books, 25% on eBooks.
- Pros: Prestige, distribution networks, professional support.
- Cons: Lower profit margins, less creative control, difficult to secure.
Self-Publishing
- Royalties: 35–70% on eBooks, 40–60% on paperbacks (after printing costs).
- Pros: Higher profit margins, faster publishing timeline, full creative control.
- Cons: You cover production/marketing costs, harder to reach wide distribution without effort.
2. Book Format
- EBooks: Low production cost, higher royalties (especially on Amazon KDP at 70%).
- Paperbacks: Printing costs eat into profits, but many readers still prefer physical copies.
- Hardcovers: Higher retail price, but expensive to produce.
- Audiobooks: Growing market with high potential, but upfront narration costs can be $1,000–$3,000+.
3. Pricing Strategy
Book pricing directly impacts both your royalty percentage and your audience reach. For example:
- An eBook priced at $0.99 may sell more copies, but your royalty (35%) is tiny.
- An eBook priced at $4.99 earns a 70% royalty on Amazon, netting around $3.50 per sale.
- Paperbacks priced at $14.99 may earn $3–$5 per sale after printing and retailer deductions.
4. Marketing & Promotion Costs
Many authors overlook marketing expenses, but they’re essential. If you spend $1,000 on ads and only make $300 in royalties, you’re operating at a loss until you sell enough to recover that investment.
Average Earnings Per Book Sale
To figure out how many books you need to sell, you first need to understand how much you’ll make per sale. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Self-published eBook at $4.99 → ~$3.50 profit per sale (Amazon KDP 70% royalty).
- Paperback at $14.99 → ~$3–$5 profit per sale (depending on page count/printing costs).
- Hardcover at $24.99 → ~$5–$7 profit per sale.
- Traditionally published print book at $14.99 → ~$1–$2 profit per sale.
- Audiobook (via ACX revenue share) → ~$1–$4 profit per sale, depending on distribution.
Example Calculation: How Many Books Do You Need to Sell?
Let’s say your upfront costs are $2,000 (cover design, editing, formatting, and ads).
- Self-published eBook ($4.99, $3.50 profit each) → You need to sell 572 copies to break even.
- Self-published paperback ($14.99, $4 profit each) → You need to sell 500 copies.
- Traditionally published book ($14.99, $1.50 profit each) → You need to sell 1,334 copies.
Now imagine you set a goal of making $10,000 profit:
- At $3.50 profit per eBook → ~2,857 copies.
- At $4 profit per paperback → ~2,500 copies.
- At $1.50 profit (traditional) → ~6,667 copies.
This shows why so many authors prefer self-publishing—the break-even point comes much faster.
How Many Books Do Authors Typically Sell?
It’s important to ground expectations in reality.
- Self-published authors: Many sell less than 250 copies per year. But with strong marketing, some surpass 1,000–5,000 copies annually.
- Traditionally published authors: Average lifetime sales of a book are around 3,000–5,000 copies. Midlist authors rarely hit bestseller numbers.
- Best-selling authors: Outliers like J.K. Rowling or Colleen Hoover sell millions of copies, but those are exceptions, not norms.
In fact, surveys suggest the median annual income for self-published authors is under $1,000, while successful indie authors who treat it like a business can earn six figures.
Beyond Sales: Other Ways Books Make Money
Not every author relies solely on book sales for profit. Many use their books as a business tool to open other income streams:
- Speaking engagements: A published book boosts your credibility and can lead to paid speaking gigs.
- Courses & coaching: Many nonfiction authors build coaching programs around their books.
- Freelance & consulting work: Your book acts as a portfolio of expertise.
- Merchandise or spin-offs: Fiction authors may create merchandise, Patreon subscriptions, or spin-off stories.
- Foreign rights & licensing: Selling translation rights, film options, or audiobook rights can be lucrative.
In these cases, even if you sell only a few hundred copies, your book can still be profitable indirectly.
How to Increase Your Chances of Selling More Books
Here are some proven strategies to maximize book sales:
1. Build an Author Platform
Create a professional website, maintain active social media, and grow an email list. Your audience is your most valuable asset.
2. Invest in Marketing
Run Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, or use BookBub promotions. Consistent advertising often separates successful authors from those who struggle.
3. Leverage Reviews & Social Proof
Encourage early readers and ARC (Advance Review Copy) reviewers to leave honest reviews. Books with 50+ reviews tend to sell significantly better.
4. Expand Formats
Don’t limit yourself to one format—release eBooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks to reach different segments of readers.
5. Publish Consistently
Authors who publish multiple books often see compounding sales because each book boosts visibility of the others.
6. Optimize Metadata
Strong titles, subtitles, keywords, and categories on Amazon can make or break discoverability.
FAQ: How Many Books Do You Need to Sell to Make Money?
Q1: How much money can you make per book sale?
Between $1–$7 per copy, depending on format and publishing method.
Q2: How many books does the average self-published author sell?
Fewer than 250 copies annually, but marketing can increase this dramatically.
Q3: Is it easier to make money self-publishing or traditionally publishing?
Self-publishing offers higher royalties but requires more work. Traditional publishing offers credibility but pays less per book.
Q4: Can you get rich from writing one book?
Rarely. Most authors who earn significant income publish multiple books and diversify income streams.
Q5: What’s a realistic sales goal for a first-time author?
Aim for 500–1,000 copies in your first year. With strong marketing, hitting 2,000–5,000 is achievable.
Final Thoughts
So, how many books do you need to sell to make money? The answer varies:
- Self-published authors often need to sell 500–1,000 copies to break even and see profit.
- Traditionally published authors may need 1,000–3,000 copies to start earning meaningfully.
But here’s the most important takeaway: success isn’t only about one book. Authors who treat writing as a long-term business, publish multiple works, and build a loyal audience are the ones who eventually make consistent money.
If you’re serious about writing, think beyond just sales. Focus on building your brand, marketing smartly, and creating additional income streams. That way, every book you publish brings you closer to financial success.
