If you’ve ever wondered what the glamour of being an independent author looks like behind the curtain, let me paint you a picture! 🎨💸

I logged onto my Amazon KDP dashboard this morning to check on how my books were doing over in the US. Nestled right there in the stats was a sight every indie author recognises with a deep sigh: a paperback return for Country Hearts.

Now, Country Hearts retails for £9.99 ($11.99 in the US). Out of that retail price, once printing costs and Amazon’s share are taken out, my author royalty comes to £2.91.

So when someone bought that copy, I earned £2.91. But when they returned it? Amazon deducted that royalty straight back out of my account. Because royalties are processed on a delay, that single return pushed my daily balance right into the negative! 📈📉

I am officially in debt to Jeff Bezos for two pounds and ninety-one pence. 😅

The world of publishing is funny like that. When you buy a paperback from an indie author, read it, and send it back, it doesn't just return to a shop shelf, it impacts the writer directly. But honestly, as frustrating as it is in the moment, all you can really do is laugh!

It’s all part of the wild ride of putting your work out into the world.

So, if you happen to have a copy of Country Hearts sitting on your bookshelf at home, please give it a warm squeeze today. It literally cost me money to send it to you! 😉

To everyone who buys, keeps, and shares my stories, you have no idea how much every single real sale means. You keep the lights on, the tea flowing, and the balance in the green! ❤️

Have you ever discovered a bizarre quirk about how your job works behind the scenes? DM me to share your funniest work stories with me!