Ever wonder what it costs to be a freelance writer? Well, I certainly did before this all started. And I know I am always fascinated when people are bold enough to talk hard numbers online. It is one of the things I love about the indie community, always willing to share. 2013 was the first year I kept a detailed list of expenses for my writing business and totaling them all up for the tax man sure was an eye opener. I thought I'd share with you some hard numbers in case you are thinking about foraying into the glamorous world of publishing. Here's the numbers breakdown. 

Editing total for two books = $3140
For Ever to the Sky I used one editor. I used two different editors for The Believers and it wasn't cheap. But, I say that is an area where you don't want to skimp if you want your book to sell enough to recoup this kind of cash. Could you do this for cheaper?  Yes. Should you? Not unless your grandma works as an editor for Harper Collins. 

Blog tours and NetGalley = $750
I used a few different blog tours, one for $329, one for $40 and I am including the infamous NetGalley here (read my rant about them by following the link). Looking back I could have cut all three of these out. I don't think they made me back what I spent on them, even the $40 dollar tour. Lesson learned. 

Ads = $260
This includes Facebook ads and ads I dabbled with on Google AdWords (see my post about my experience here). I think that Facebook ads are worth it to reach all your fans. I used five dollar ads whenever I feel that all my fans need to hear something, probably a couple times a month. Too bad you can't do that for free, Mr. Zuckerberg. 

Cover art = $200
My photographer and graphic artist friend does my covers for me (Hi Andy!!!) and he does an excellent job. This is dirt cheap for two covers (both ebook and paperback). You won't get a deal like this anywhere. Most covers cost $300 or more. I am lucky. And covers, again, are the one area you don't want to skimp. But you know this already, right? 

Promotional materials and giveaways = $300
This includes books I gave away for free, Amazon gift card giveaways and review copies. It actually probably is a lot more than this, but I didn't count the ebooks I gave away for free. Only paper copies. And don't forget shipping on those lovely books. My post office loves me. 

Writing materials (ie glasses, Microsoft word software, etc) = $220 
I had to get blue blocker eye glasses because my computer was giving me a nasty eye twitch. (Imagine how attractive that is!). And I had to buy Microsoft Word this year even though I've been using the free LibreOffice. I just could not format into Kindle without it going all wonky on me in Libre. 

Miscellaneous items = $725
This includes things like books on writing (I buy a lot of those), travel expenses (to my agency conference, yeah!), ISBNs from Bowker (I said it was glamorous), and formatting services. All of these things are important and vital to my business. Still, though, expensive. 

Total = $5595!!!!
Holy frijoles, Batman, that is a lot of dough. Now mind you, I have another job besides writing and so does my husband. We can afford to spend a little more to get my business off and running. And my books are selling and making me back this money and then some. I do think that you have to invest in your books or no one will want to read them. Covers, editing, and formatting are all things that you SHOULD NOT skimp on. Blog tours, NetGalley and ads did not seem to pan out to me and I don't think I would recommend them. The best thing to do financially is produce a book that can stand beside any traditionally published book. Once you do that, you'll be making back what you spent and then some.

What about you? What have you spent on writing this year? Was it worth it? Sound off below.

2013 was an amazing year. I published two novels, saw The Breeders take off in a major way, gained some super awesome fans, got my book in its first library, received a deal to produce the audio books, partnered in two anthologies, made some new author friends, and had a smashing time. I'm sure I'm forgetting other amazing stuff, but that's what happens when you live for two weeks on turkey, pie, and wine (oh and chocolate, man, the chocolate). I normally don't make resolutions because I am more of a "just make good choices everyday," type girl, but I thought I'd outline some of my goals for 2014. It's going to be a blasty-blast.

1. Write faster. I've been reading an excellent book called Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. Great book. If you are an indie writer, you should get it by all means. In that book they discuss many important tips, but one of the things that stuck with me was Johnny's take on writing fast rough drafts. "We strongly believe you should write your first draft as fast as you can... In our opinions, slow is the domain of the internal critic, whereas fast is the domain of pure creativity." I found that thought very interesting. So I started listening to my inner critic as I wrote and I believe they are right. If I'm slow I'm always second guessing, letting things distract me, doing "research" on the internet instead of hounding myself for more words. 

So, for the last five days I've been writing faster than I ever have. And is the work suffering? So far, things have been moving better than ever. I'm getting out of my own head and making no excuses for being distracted or slow. 2014 is the year of the horse and horses are fast. So... you do the math. 

2. Be more productive. This goes along with number 1 very nicely. In my life I have little time to dally. Those who know me know that I am jam-packed with activity from morning to night and I just signed up to be a Girl Scout Leader (so help me God). I need to be hella productive if I am ever going to get a draft off the ground. Lately I've been finding myself foraying into Facebook or email too often when I should be writing. Facebook is really fun. And unfortunately addictive. For 2014 I need to cut myself off from time to time no matter how many cat videos or cute baby posts I miss. (Gosh I'll miss those cat videos.)

3. Crush self doubt like a coke can on my stone-like forehead. Picture Dwayne "the rock" Johnson crushing a Coke can on his beautiful brown forehead. Now picture me as Dwayne "the rock" Johnson crushing a Coke can. (What do you mean I don't look as good in tribal tattoos?) Anyway, I'm usually good at crushing self-doubt, but man that bugger can be more contagious than my cat's eye herpes. I have to strengthen my resolve to write like a boss and keep going in the face of defeat. Even though I'm nearly two years into this bizz there is still defeat. I have to come to terms with the fact that on some level there will always be. And when it comes I'll kick it in the teeth. 

4. Finish my teen ghost story. This is a little more specific, but I am working on a teen ghost story right now that has turned out to be pretty intriguing. I'm almost 75K into the story so I am nearly there. This goal should be a no brainer. Then the revisions begin. 

5. Start and finish Breeders 3. Breeders 3 is high on my priority list. People are waiting for it and frankly I can't wait to start it. I have some amazing ideas in mind. Poor Riley and Clay. Life just doesn't get any easier for them, but it should make for a terrific story. 

6. Write another Breeders short. I have a cool idea for a Clay short story that I want to write. It'll have to come after Breeders 3 though. 

7. Do one more collaboration with someone awesome. In 2013 I did two collaborations with great indie authors. (If you don't know who they are, check out my Darkest Worlds anthology. Many of them are there along side me.) This year I'd like to do that again in some capacity. With who? I have no idea. But, I love working with others and cross pollinating fans. I'd love to do that again. 

8. Find more balance in my life. Oh boy. This is a big one and the hardest to accomplish. I work full time, write on the side and have two amazing children and a husband. Add to that my herpies cat and chubby dog plus all the other responsibilities I put on myself and balance is a four letter word usually yelled at 9 p.m. when the kids can't hear me. But, maybe this goal should be number one because, in all honesty, my family comes first. My kids won't be little for long and I want to be with them every single step of the way. My husband too. He's an awesome fella who puts up with a whole heck of a lot from me and my type A personality. So balance it is. I will find it somehow even if it means saying no to more things. Someone once said saying no to some things is saying yes to others. I say yes to my family, yes to my husband and yes to my fans. Together we'll make 2014 the awesomest year evah!!!

What about you? What are your new year's goals, resolutions and must-dos? Sound off below.