You love writing. You love the craft. But that love might be exactly what is keeping you stuck.

In this episode, we confront the mindset that separates authors who survive from authors who thrive. The romantic myth of the suffering artist. The permission problem. The business decisions that make creatives uncomfortable.

We cover:→ Why the starving artist myth is a twentieth century invention→ Five identity shifts from artist to entrepreneur→ The difference between a writing life and a writing career→ What you are actually selling (hint: not paper and ink)→ How to make peace with marketing without selling out

This is the episode where we stop waiting to be discovered and start building to be found.

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Resources mentioned:

• The Architect's Method podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/65N4rQG15xvZzsyYtAf7Qa

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Have questions? Reach out at rondanini.com

Your book just sold 5,000 copies and earned you £7,500 in royalties. The author next door? Same sales, same publisher — but she made £50,000 last year. What does she know that you don't?

In this episode, we break down the four income pillars that transform a modest royalty stream into a sustainable author career: workshops, courses, speaking, and consulting. Learn why your book isn't the product — it's the door. And discover how to walk through it.

We cover:→ The real economics of author income streams→ How to price your expertise (and why you're probably charging too little)→ Permission-based selling that feels authentic, not pushy→ Which pillar to build first based on where you are→ The long game: seeing your book as a decade-long asset

Plus: A recommendation for writers working on their next book — introducing The Architect's Method podcast.

Episode 5 asked what authors actually earn. Episode 6 asks what authors can actually build.

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Resources mentioned:

• The Architect's Method podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/65N4rQG15xvZzsyYtAf7Qa

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Have questions? Reach out at rondanini.com

💰 The uncomfortable truth: the median author makes £2,000 per year. So where does the real money come from?

In this episode, Luigi breaks down author income across publishing paths (traditional, self-published, hybrid). Learn actual royalty structures, the ecosystem model that successful authors use, and how to make strategic decisions about your publishing future.

You'll discover:

- What book advances really are (spoiler: loans, not gifts)

- How royalties actually work (paperback vs ebook vs hardcover)

- Why the book is the credential, not the income

- The three publishing paths compared with real numbers

Perfect for: Authors considering publishing, anyone wondering if a book deal will pay their rent.

Previous episodes:

Episode 1: Why Rejection Isn't Personal

Episode 2: The Business Side of Publishing

Episode 3: Building Your Platform Without Burning Out

Episode 4: What Agents & Editors Are Really Looking For

👉 Full essay

📋 Interactive calculator

🌐 Rondanini Publishing: