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Comment by _a1_ | Hacker News Reader

> I’ve written four short books and they have literally grossed hundreds of dollars.

I hear this argument pretty often.

A book is not a binary thing: there is a book, and there isn't. It's not about the "book", it's about the contents of the book.

So in other words the author has gathered some knowledge and he didn't make much money off of it. Therefore, the knowledge you will gather will not allow you to earn any money. Does that make sense? I don't think so.

I will probably be downvoted, but maybe more important thing is the subject of the book, than the actual book itself?

Disclaimer: I did not write a book. I did write a chapter to a book, and I got some money off of it. I'm not rich because of it, but I see the potential.

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Most books make money from the speaking fees "the guy who wrote the book" makes. I've had a couple classes at work where my company paid $5-20,000 (500-1000 per student depending on how long the class is for) for a guy to come in and give a one week class. As a student in the class I got a copy of the book (someplace on my bookself, I probably opened it a couple times, but never read it). The book is free with class.

I talked to several contractors who said the key to their high value contracts was the book they wrote. Write a book on X and you can make $500/hour doing X at other companies.

Without writing the book you don't get hired to give a class on the book. Without writing a book you don't get to consult on the subject. Once you write a book you are automatically an expert. You still need to sell yourself, the book is part of your marketing materials, but it isn't enough alone to get those high priced gigs.

It even applies if you work for someone else in my experience. The link isn't so obvious in that case. But I've written several books (both independently and though a publisher) and I'm pretty sure it's been reputationally valuable even though I've made very little money directly.

Writing a book alone isn't enough obviously. But it still sets you apart from others.

Obviously there are people who make very good money off books. And one advantage of books, compared to say stock trading, is that the "only" risk is your time. (There may be some costs but probably not a lot unless you go into large-scale promotion.)

That said, it's pretty speculative to make any significant sum though the right book may be helpful to very helpful to support professional activities in various ways.

this is a great point. writing doesn't have to be about getting rich at all...I think the point in the article was write about what you care about - then it will be a good outcome whether it makes money or not

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