The Profits of Takamagahara Monogatari

As Kogitsune has reached 4 years since publication, and Shinigami 3 years, it’s time to look back at the costs, royalties and donations of this ongoing series.

I don’t know if this is common knowledge, but both “Kogitsune” and “Shinigami” have been free on my site since 2020, as a gift to everyone affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns.

For the readers who prefer ebook readers or paperbacks, the Takamagahara Monogatari books have remained self-published also via Amazon. Let’s have a look at what it means financially.

The Amazon Royalties for the English books

The table below is an extract from my Amazon KDP account containing all the royalties paid to me by Amazon for Kogitsune and Shinigami since 2018, which is equal to 399 Euro in 4 years. The royalties for Kogitsune are $0.35 per book, and for Shinigami are $2.75 per book. Amazon transfers the royalties in Euro. I’m living in Romania and the transfer converts to European Union currency.

The Donations using the Takamagahara Monogatari royalties

The best use of the royalties have been donations.

Here is a list containing all the donations I’ve made using the royalties Amazon pays me every month. If you’ve been following me on Twitter, these shouldn’t be new to you.

2020 January – Australia fires – $135 (202 Australian $)

2022 Ukraine war – supporting refugees $35

Save the Children – $200 (Ro: Asociatia pentru relatii comunicare )

This is a recurrent direct debit donation of 20 RON/month ($4) that started in October 2018. You can see the April donation example in the above picture. 60 RON in 2018 + 240 RON in 2019 + 240 RON in 2020 + 240 RON in 2021 + 220 RON in 2022 = 1000 RON, which means an approximate total of $200.

Total donations so far from the book royalties: $370.

And last is a little pet project – supporting Romanian-based small businesses managed by students. I’ve been sharing those on my Instagram and Tik Tok accounts. Now that I’ve made a comparison between the royalties and the donations, it appears I covered these purchases from my day job, not the royalties. Just don’t tell my husband, lol. Love you, honey!

@xia_and_the3_muses

@herjettsstuffs #smallbusiness #booktokromania #unboxing #unboxingvideo #takamagaharamonogatari #xiaxialake

♬ L$d – Luclover

@xia_and_the3_muses

Unboxing a new custom made order from Ao Haru Crafts🥰 #booklovers #heavensofficialblessing #grandmasterofdemoniccultivation #takamagaharamonogatari #booktokromania #booktok #booktok #thethreemuses #bookstagramromania #xiaxialake

♬ As It Was – Harry Styles

@xia_and_the3_muses

The #smallbusiness owner of olympic.jewelerly is only 13. 🥰 #bookaddict #captiveprince #foxholecourt #grandmasterofdemoniccultivation #heavensofficialblessing #booktokromania #takamagaharamonogatari #cartiktok #unboxing

♬ original sound – VINNY

@xia_and_the3_muses

Dear @floryadryanq1 I loved this box! Best selection 🥰🥰 #misiuneatiktok #5pasidebine #bookclub #thehouseintheceruleansea #circemadelinemiller #bookboxunboxing #books #booktok #booktokromania

♬ creature – half·alive

@xia_and_the3_muses

@vichi☕️ unboxing a whole lot of book inspired goods #booktok #books #booklover #bookrecommendations #book #bookstagrammer #bookish #reading #bookworm #booknerd #reader #bookreview #bookaddict #bookshelf #acotar #bookcommunity #read #bibliophile #bookblogger #romance #fantasy #reader #romancebooks #bookclub #bookphotography #sjm #thethreemuses #xiaxialake #lgbtqbooks

♬ suara asli – vranzシ

The costs of Takamagahara Monogatari

We’ve looked at the royalties and at the donations. I’m sure some of you are also curious about the costs of writing a series like the Takamagahara Monogatari. Here they are:

1. Editing, – $900
2. Proofreading – $250 – Here is where I’ve made a mistake and wasted money. I had booked a year in advance an editor for a random project at the advance cost of 250$. I used this advanced booking to proofread Shinigami. I didn’t like the results, so I didn’t use the proofreading.
3. Cover costs (Kogitsune, Shinigami, Shinigami Italian, Takamagahara Monogatari): $1500
4. Website costs: $180
5. Tools: Scrievener – €53.00 ; Prowriting aid (Lifetime license) – €400, Vellum Press – €273.69
6. Research Books and maps – over 1000 $, I lost track; I bought so many in the past 4 years.

The above funds came from my day job earnings (hurray for the day job). Let’s not make a total, because I may just stop writing Fields of Higanbana.

Hope the above helps to understand the costs of writing.

I treat writing like any other hobby. I invest, I enjoy what I’ve made, then I move on to my next hobby. These days writing helps my mental health. Tomorrow it may be knitting.

I’ve never dreamed of being a full-time writer, or a writer represented by an agent. I live in Romania, let’s face it, these chances are not available for people like me.

Thanks to everyone purchasing my stories or donating a coffee on my Ko-fi account. Hope you feel I’ve used the money wisely.

Take care and may you be surrounded by loved ones.

Xia

P.S.1. My real name is Alexandra. My family calls me Alexia. Get it, “A – le – XIA“? Write me a comment if you want to read about the funny story behind my pen name.

P.S.2. I’ve published this blog earlier because I’m travelling next week, and I may completely forget to post it.