How Much Money Did I Make from Writing in 2023?
A Random Writer Tells All
You probably have no idea how much money your fellow Medium writers actually make. Why?
For one thing, if you learned that a writer who boasts about making megabucks on Medium is actually making pennies? You might be reluctant to spend your hard-earned dollars on their “I made a Zillion dollars on Medium and you can too!” courses.
But even if they aren’t trying to sell you something? People are secretive about money. They’re oddly reluctant to disclose how much they’re actually bringing in.
Not me! I write personal essays — I enjoy being upfront about stuff that most folks keep mum about. So I figured I’d share the numbers with you.
In 2023, as a writer I made…
Cue drum roll and clash of cymbals…
$4,558
So how does this sum break down?
$4,183 came from publishing my work on Medium.
I received $100 from the Broad Street Review, a terrific Philadelphia-based arts and culture website, for this personal essay, which, a month later, I then posted on Medium:
Royalties from my books brought in a whopping $200.
I also received $75 from the Funny Times which reprinted this humor piece which originally ran on Medium.
Could I make more money in 2024 if I abandoned Medium and decamped to Substack?
Probably not.
But even if I could? I enjoy it here too much to leave. I’m having fun. I like being part of a community of writers. I like how easy it is to publish my work on Medium. And I love to read your work.
This is a very cool place.
Not to mention the fact that in 2023 I earned $18,173 working as a Writing Coach and Editor. For decades, I’ve helped other writers improve and publish their work.
And since I currently specialize in helping Medium writers craft better and more Boost-able stories?
I’d be crazy to abandon Medium.
So what will happen in 2024? Will I make less from writing than I did in 2023? Will I make more? Will I become one of those Medium Millionaires who earns thousands for every post? Most important, will 2024 be the year that Medium finally sends me another free T-shirt?
Stay tuned!
And thank you for reading me in 2023.
(Writing Coach and editor-for-hire Roz Warren, who writes for everyone from the Funny Times to the New York Times, can help you improve and publish your work. Drop her a line at [email protected]. (That’s Ros with an “s,” not a “z.”)
