From Making a Living Writing:
Can you make a living as a Christian writer?
Maybe you’re praying for new clients, wondering if you’re on the right path.
After all, the Christian market for freelance writers has a reputation of low pay or no pay which makes for an unlikely way to make a living.
Median annual salary for freelance writers fell to a historic low of $6,080 in 2017, down 42 percent from 2009, according to an Author’s Guild survey.
And if you’re trying to carve out a niche as a Christian writer, you might think there’s even more gloom and doom to come.
Why? Some Christian writers make even less because many of these publications have low pay for articles and expect you are doing it for “the ministry” instead of the money (which may be true and more about that later).
And it doesn’t have to be that way.
I’ve successfully made a living as a Christian writer for many years, and I want to give you some of the “secrets” to following this path…
. . . .
1. Learn to write well in the print magazine area
Even if it is low pay, you’re gaining publishing experience. Book editors and literary agents are looking for authors who have publishing experience.
One of the best ways to gain that experience is writing for magazines. You learn to:
- Write for an audience
- Give the reader a solid takeaway or single point to remember
- Develop good storytelling and writing skills
These are critical skills for every writer—Christian or not.
2. Low-paying articles can lead to higher paying opportunities
While working on a magazine article assignment, I met the leading African American in Promise Keepers when it was the fastest growing faith-based men’s group in America.
No, the magazine assignment didn’t pay all that great. But…
- My new relationship led to writing a Christian book with Bishop Phillip Porter.
- That project paid a good fee, but it was also another stepping stone.
- I was able to work with a New York literary agent and get a six-figure book contract for the second book.
Before you blow off low-paying assignments, take a minute to consider the possibilities. Follow every open door. You never know where it will lead.
. . . .
4. Diversify your writing and income streams
No one has a crystal ball to see the future of publishing. But I have learned the hard way the Christian writer needs to create multiple streams of income. For example:
- I’ve had full-time day jobs which have suddenly come to an end.
- I’ve had book contracts cancelled and other unexpected events.
The best protection for any writer is to earn from different places
Link to the rest at Making a Living Writing