By Don Schmidt, The Book Kahuna
Follow my blog at https://bookkahunachronicles.com for real publishing insight from the trenches. My forty-year journey in book publishing is your shortcut to success.
You wrote the book. You went through the painstaking editorial rounds. You polished every word like a diamond. The book is out. You are a published author now. That is the dream, right? But now what?
The royalty checks are not exactly paying the rent. You have the expertise. You have a voice. But the book sales alone are not keeping the lights on. I have heard you loud and clear. After surveying a wide cross-section of aspiring authors, the number one fear they reported—right after the fear of nobody buying the book—was this:
“How do I make money now that my book is out?”
You want to know what comes next. You want income. You want options. You want this author dream to mean something beyond Amazon rankings.
So let me show you the real-world ways authors just like you can turn their publishing passion into real, sustainable, fast-moving cash. These are not pipe dreams. These are tested side hustles I have seen work with my own eyes over four decades in this business. Whether you are just starting out or you have published a few titles, there is gold in the margins of your book—if you know where to look.
Let us dig in.
1. Teaching What You Know: Online Courses and Workshops
If you have written nonfiction, chances are you already possess domain authority in your subject. That makes you a prime candidate for launching an online course or workshop.
Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, Podia, and even Zoom webinars can turn your knowledge into instant income. Package the material from your book into lessons. Expand and deepen where needed. Add slide decks, video instruction, downloadable worksheets.
Charge for access. Build a mailing list. Promote through your blog and social media. You can even start with free sessions to build trust and later upsell to paid workshops.
This is not a gimmick—it is one of the most sustainable income streams for author-experts today.
Bonus: Record once. Sell forever.
2. Freelance Services: Become the Expert Others Hire
Your book is your credential. It tells people, “I know what I am doing.” Leverage that into freelance gigs.
Depending on your niche, you might:
- Offer editing services to other authors
- Coach first-time writers through the publishing process
- Provide consulting in your field (finance, health, relationships, etc.)
- Do content writing or copywriting for businesses
You would be surprised how many small businesses are looking for someone who can write clearly and persuasively. Your author status sets you apart immediately.
Start by updating your LinkedIn profile and setting up a services page on your blog. List your skills and tie them back to your book.
Fast money? Absolutely—some clients will pay $50 to $150 per hour for subject matter expertise.
3. Paid Speaking Engagements: Your Book Opens Doors
If you are not speaking yet, you are leaving serious money on the table.
Local business groups, schools, colleges, conferences, churches, and online summits are always looking for engaging speakers. Your book gives you credibility and something to anchor your talk around.
Speaking fees range from $100 for local engagements to $5,000 or more for corporate gigs. But even free talks can lead to paid work. Sell books at the back of the room. Offer consulting afterward. Build your brand face-to-face.
And with virtual conferences becoming the norm, you can speak to international audiences from your living room.
4. Printables, Checklists, and Workbooks: Sell the Tools
If your book is instructional, you can create companion materials that go deeper into application. These can be:
- Checklists
- Guided journals
- Workbooks
- Planners
- Templates
Design them on Canva or hire a designer to give them a professional polish. Sell them on Etsy, Gumroad, or directly through your website. These low-ticket items can generate passive income month after month.
The beauty? You already did the arduous work when you wrote the book. This is repackaging for utility.
5. Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and Membership Platforms
You do not need to be a celebrity author to build a loyal following. If readers love your voice and your message, they will support you—if you give them the chance.
Platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee let you offer exclusive content to paying subscribers. Think:
- Behind-the-scenes writing updates
- Bonus chapters or stories
- Monthly Q&A sessions
- Live readings or chats
Even if only 50 people contribute $5 a month, that is $250 every month coming in just from your side audience.
Consistency is key. Keep showing up, and the support will grow.
6. Affiliate Income: Monetize Your Recommendations
You have tools you use. Services you trust. Books you love. If you recommend them to your audience, you could be making money.
Affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and individual software companies offer payouts when someone buys through your link.
For example, if your book is about productivity, create a blog post titled “The 5 Tools That Changed My Workflow.” Include affiliate links. Share it on your social channels.
Or if you use Scrivener, ProWritingAid, or Canva—look into their affiliate programs. Link in your email newsletters and blog posts.
Is it fast money? Maybe not the first week—but this income builds and snowballs.
7. YouTube or Podcasting: Platform + Monetization = Leverage
Start a YouTube channel or podcast tied to the themes of your book. Share short insights, interviews, book reviews, how-tos. Keep episodes tight and on point.
Once you build a following, you can monetize with:
- Sponsorships
- Ad revenue
- Listener support
- Product mentions
Think of it as building your media empire. You become the media company around your niche.
Tip: Repurpose book content. You have already got the ideas. Now just speak them.
8. Editing and Ghostwriting for Other Authors
If you understand structure, flow, and clarity, you can offer editing or ghostwriting to authors who are struggling with their manuscripts.
Ghostwriting especially is lucrative. Many entrepreneurs and executives want a book but do not have time to write it. You can step in as the silent pen.
Fees range widely—$5,000 to $50,000 depending on the project. This is not side hustle chump change. This is serious author income.
You already know the publishing process. Now sell your expertise to others who need a sherpa to get their ideas on the page.
9. Sell Your Book’s Rights: Licensing for Real Royalties
You can license your book content for:
- Translations
- Audio editions
- Film/TV adaptation
- Excerpt reprints
- Corporate rebranding
Approach educational institutions, licensing agents, or media companies that are looking for high-quality content. Sell the rights for an upfront fee or a royalty split.
If you are unfamiliar with licensing, start by reading up on subsidiary rights and how they can multiply your income without additional work.
I have seen authors triple their revenue by licensing foreign rights alone.
10. Host a Retreat or In-Person Event
This one takes a bit more logistics, but the payoff can be huge.
Design a weekend retreat based around your book’s theme—whether it is wellness, writing, entrepreneurship, or spirituality.
Offer workshops, masterminds, private coaching, and immersive experiences.
Even a small retreat charging $500 per attendee can bring in $5,000 with just 10 people. Add upsells and long-term coaching, and you are stacking real income.
Start local. Partner with a venue. Use Eventbrite or Facebook to promote.
11. Create a Digital Product Bundle
Bundle your book with:
- A downloadable course
- Printable workbook
- Bonus video or audio material
- Exclusive digital downloads
Offer the bundle at a premium price, giving buyers more value and increasing your average transaction size.
This strategy turns a $15 book sale into a $49 or $97 value-packed experience.
Digital product bundles are one of the easiest ways to build immediate cash flow while increasing perceived value.
12. Author Consulting and Coaching
Many aspiring writers are exactly where you were years ago. They are lost, unsure, and hungry for guidance.
Become their coach.
You do not need 100 clients. Start with 2 or 3. Charge $150 to $500 per month. Offer structured coaching calls. Share templates, timelines, and insider knowledge.
This is high-trust work, and your book is your best calling card. People will pay for clarity. You can deliver it.
Final Thoughts: Fast Cash Is Possible—If You Diversify
Book sales alone are only one revenue stream—and often the slowest one. But the world of opportunities that orbit around your book? That is where authors can make real, fast, and sustainable income.
Let me be clear. You are not just an author. You are a brand. A business. A content creator. A consultant. A thought leader. When you shift your thinking, the money starts flowing faster.
These side hustles are not “extra”—they are the difference between struggling and thriving as an author in 2025.
So if you are reading this and thinking, “Which one do I start with?”—just pick the one that speaks to your strengths. Do not try to do them all. Build one stream, then layer on another.
Before you know it, your book will be more than just a product—it will be your launchpad.
Stay connected!
For more real talk from inside the publishing world—backed by four decades of experience—make sure you follow my blog at https://bookkahunachronicles.com. You will find more practical tools, author income strategies, and no-fluff advice that you can put into action right now.
And check out my YouTube channel for even more tips on making your author journey profitable: https://www.youtube.com/@DonSchmidt
You have the book. Now build the business around it. Let us hustle smart.
#BookPublishing, #SelfPublishing, #FirstTimeAuthors, #WritingCommunity, #AuthorTips, #IndieAuthors, #WritingAdvice, #PublishingTips, #BookMarketing, #AuthorLife, #WritingJourney, #WriteYourStory, #BookPromotion, #PublishingJourney, #NewAuthors, #BookWriting, #WriteABook, #PublishingAdvice, #AuthorGoals, #BookLaunch