Summary

The author shares personal insights on making money through Amazon KDP, emphasizing the importance of writing in genres that align with one's interests rather than solely chasing profitability, with a particular focus on the transition from writing romance to non-fiction.

Abstract

The web content delves into the author's journey of writing on Amazon KDP, initially believing that romance was the most lucrative genre, inspired by successful self-published authors like Sylvia Day and EL James. The author invested significantly in the romance genre, both as a writer and a reader, but eventually grew tired of it. Despite the financial success of romance, the author found greater fulfillment and income in writing non-fiction under their real name, contradicting their earlier belief that non-fiction was less profitable. The article advises writers to pursue genres they are passionate about, suggesting that interest should drive writing choices, not just the potential for earnings. The author encourages writers to consider their own interests and provides a resource, their book "Small Ebooks, Big Income," for those interested in making money from writing short ebooks.

Opinions

The author initially believed that romance was the best-selling genre and focused on it for financial gain.
Successful stay-at-home moms on Amazon KDP, using pen names, influenced the author's perception of profitable writing.
The author's interest shifted over time, leading to a more fulfilling and profitable venture in non-fiction writing.
The author advises that while romance may be a fast-growing and easy genre to make money in, it's crucial to write in genres that one enjoys.
The author emphasizes that mental peace and personal interest should be considered alongside financial incentives when choosing what to write.
There is an audience for every genre, and the author encourages writers not to be swayed solely by the success of others in specific genres.
The author's own sales data from Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital contradicts the belief that non-fiction authors cannot make significant money.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY ON AMAZON KDP

Which genre works best on Amazon KDP

I will tell you my secret

Want to make money on KDP? Then stop chasing genre!

In my teens, I was told romance is the best-selling genre. And that’s what I did in most of my twenties. Write romance.

Most of the popular writers of those times were of the Romance genre. Consider Sylvia Day, EL James, Amanda Hocking, etc. These are all self-published romance authors and were making millions selling ebooks. I also spent countless days reading many contemporary romance books from famous authors like John Green, Stephanie Perkins, and Rainbow Rowell.

Some of their famous books which I still adore-

Eleanor & Park (my fav.) — Rainbow Rowell
Anne and the French Kiss — Stephanie Perkins
Fault in Our Stars — John Green

I think they have been made into films but like any avid readers, once we read books we never enjoy the film. So I stay away from that.

I mostly wrote in Contemporary romances and tried various genres.. just because I thought romance was best for me. Like any teen girl, I gave everything to my work and kept making money from my romance books until…

I get tired of writing romance.

Fiction vs Non-fiction — Which Makes More Money

the answer is in you

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I met many stay-at-home moms making thousands of dollars on Amazon KDP

Writing romance looked great in my 20s. I used to listen to all those successful stay-at-home moms making thousands of dollars on Amazon KDP and no one ever knows their real name.

I met so many writers who were using their pen names and made thousands of dollars on Amazon KDP. They wrote romance books, traveled the world (few of them) and some even paid off their children’s college fees.

But none of this fits my interest now. I don’t like to travel and I don’t have kids.

Multiple Products Multiple Platforms Multiple Ads

the three rules for $1k writers

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Writing romance doesn’t interest me much

No doubt romance is still the fastest-growing genre and the easiest to make money. I won’t lie here because I write in many genres myself. And romance readers buy from you without even knowing your real name!

But for me, that’s not what I want.

I chased money but in reality, I should have chased interest!

I make more writing non-fiction

It’s no secret now that I have tons of non-fiction books that I now write under my real name.

I hated non-fiction books in my twenties because I thought non-fiction authors wouldn’t make any money.

But my sales data from Amazon KDP and Draft2Digital says something else.

I like non-fiction and make a full-time income.

Chase interest, not Genres

I have said it.

If you need money, writing romance should be your first choice.

But if you need mental peace and money, only write in the genres you like.

Just because others are making money in romance, doesn’t mean you should too. There are readers for every genre. Your hard work will not go in vain.

If you want to know more about making money writing short ebooks, then you can check out my book “Small Ebooks, Big Income”. Happy Writing Journey!

Why You Should Write Non-fiction eBooks?

I now write more non-fiction than fiction

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