The Profitable Author
Sharon Woodhouse
Everything Goes Media, LLC (2025)
ISBN: 978-1734145274
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (10/2025)
For authors, the main source of income they can count on as far as their books are concerned is royalties, right? Wrong. Sharon Woodhouse is here to tell you that while royalties can be a source of income for authors, it’s not the only one. In fact, in her book, The Profitable Author: 1,001 Ways to Build a Business You Love Around Your Books, she shares over one thousand methods on how authors can generate more money just from one book. By tapping into a variety of methods to make money from a book or as an author, the author facing a low-income stream can soon transform into a profitable author!
Circling back to the idea that many authors think that royalties are the only way to earn money from a book, Woodhouse points out,
The most important thing to know about royalties income is that it is only one stream of author income. Depending on the business model that emerges for you or, better yet, the one you consciously forge, royalties may not even be your largest income stream. (Page 49)
But how exactly can authors earn income from a book or as an author, outside of receiving royalties? Believe me, there are plenty of ways. Woodhouse shares tons of them in this helpful resource that should be on the desk of every author.
Sure, there are talks and events from which authors can earn money, but what else? Most authors may be stumped on this, which is what makes this book so valuable. Woodhouse shares so many alternative and creative methods to earn money from a book or as an author. Some of the ideas are so ingenious that they took this author of twenty years by surprise! Indeed, I never would have thought of these nifty ideas to earn money from a book and as an author. So glad I picked up this book to read!
While a huge emphasis in The Profitable Author is on how being an author is like being in business, there is also a section included on how to make sure you get paid for your services. I’m glad this was included, as not getting paid is one unfortunate downside of being in business, and not just as a freelancer. I thought the tips to avoid this problem were very helpful. I also appreciated how Woodhouse shows the reality of what happens when you are not paid for your services. For example, one service mentioned in this book is speaking at a conference. At first, I thought the suggested fee Woodhouse proposes was high, but consider the reality of the situation: the author in question is stepping away from their paying work to focus on this particular event, they need to get together supplies, their transportation costs need to be covered, lodging needs to be covered if that is a factor, so does their need to eat as well as dress accordingly. So, when thinking about all of these necessities that go with a particular service, pay attention to the fee and whether or not it is being paid. If not, either put them on the “Never Again” list Woodhouse suggests or decline.
The chapter on sales may be intimidating for some authors (I know that used to be intimidating for me, when I first started out!), but the truth is, an author is indeed a salesperson, because the author is ultimately responsible for selling their book! Once the author accepts this fact, perhaps the prospect of partaking in sales techniques to get books sold may not be so intimidating. If there is still any anxiety or stress over this prospect, then you can relax as you read this chapter. Woodhouse understands this and shares how the process can be less stressful for the selling author. Not only this, but she also provides tips on how to make it easier for both the author and prospective customer.
I love how Woodhouse shares successful sales and marketing strategies used by authors of her former independent press. And I also loved the concept of using “vitamins, spaghetti, and ships” in marketing books. I also appreciated the many books she recommends readers check out that are mentioned throughout her book.
The chapter on productivity and time management is most helpful. The “43 Folders” idea is another nifty organizational strategy for authors in this book. This author uses a planner and sticky notes, but the folders are a good suggestion because they keep everything non-digital in one place! And if there is one line a reader can take from this chapter, it’s this:
On those days when the entire schedule goes awry, I can relax knowing my structure is waiting for me tomorrow and I can pick things back up right where I left off. (pg. 404-405).
Woodhouse gives the author strategies, tips, and techniques on how to get it all together, prepare for failure, and what to do when failure or disaster does happen, as well as a reminder that you’ll be ending the day with the knowledge that you can try again tomorrow with everything ready to pick up where you left off.
In the chapter on mindset, I appreciated how Woodhouse shares so many valuable and helpful tips on breaking through our own personal barriers – such as intrusive thoughts, negative self-talk, and giving in to frustrations – in order to stay strong and keep going. As she writes on page 433, about relying on our creativity to keep our business fresh and inspiring, “Create your business forward.”
The Profitable Author by Sharon Woodhouse is a must-have resource for every author. This book is teeming with valuable and proven strategies that will help authors go from struggling to thriving. If you’re an author, get a copy of this book and read everything it has to offer. It will change your life, your career, and your author journey.