This week has been a tumultuous one for me. I have just received the printer’s proof for my 30th, and quite possibly my last novel, and cancelled my annual subscription to the Historical Novel Society.
For the last 3 and a bit years, I have been receiving the Basic Income for the Arts grant from the Arts Council (the last novel is dedicated to them by way of thanks), and received the final payment on February 13th. A new application process will begin shortly, and payments will commence in the autumn. The selection process is once again random, and at this juncture, the Arts Council haven’t yet published the eligibility guidance. Will those who already received the grant be eligible? The simple truth is that if I don’t qualify, I won’t have the money required to continue publishing novels. I am sure that I’m not the only artist who finds themselves in this predicament.
But how is this true?
Many people don’t realise how costly it is to publish a book: editing, graphics, printing, material, equipment, subscriptions, and marketing, leaving aside the hours poured into writing a novel. I was on the verge of retirement just before I qualified for the BIA grant three years ago. My sales were ticking over, but not generating enough income to cover the cost. Since the advent of AI, my sales have plummeted. Last year, I sold 40 books and had 3000 pages read on subscription. I have sold three books this year, all of them to close family, and the bottom has fallen out of the subscription world.
When I add up the cost of publishing The Dagger and the Compass, it gives me the collywobbles: editing €800, subscriptions €400, material €100, printing €1100 (for initial print run). €2400 excluding labour and marketing, which is yet to happen. The simple truth is that I don’t have the money to carry on.
Of course, I will not give up writing, because it’s in my blood. However, now there will be no outlet for my work, it takes on that old philosophical question: “If no one is reading it, is it actually writing?” or something similar, at least.
Farewell and adieu…
PerchedCrowPress 