You're so welcome What's frustrating about about all of this is that the lion's share of the media attention goes to the authors with Himalayan incomes.

As a journalist, I understand it. It's news when an author gets a record-breaking advance. It's not news when yet another one can't pay the rent.

The problem is that the focus on superstars that can give writers an unrealistic view of their chances. That's true in every field: You read about actors who become breakout stars, not those who are still waiting on tables at Applebee's. It's natural, but it can make it very hard for writers to make decisions like: Should I keep at this or listen to Mom and go to law school?