In 2024, the traditional image of a writer sitting in solitude, crafting manuscripts for publishing houses, is long gone. Writers today are navigating a rapidly evolving creative economy, and many are taking a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling.
By blending writing with other creative outlets, writers can reach new audiences and sustain themselves, financially, in ways that were not previously available.
Multidisciplinary approach
One prominent example of a multidisciplinary writer is Akwaeke Emezi, author of Freshwater, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty, and Pet. Emezi doesn’t limit their creativity to novels; they have also delved into filmmaking, painting, and even rapping. Through these various artistic avenues, Emezi tells stories that transcend the written word, allowing them to reach different markets and audiences. This versatility keeps their creative spirit alive and ensures that they can connect with more people, telling a story through multiple mediums.
Many writers are similarly experimenting with new ways to engage their audiences. Podcasting has become a powerful platform for writers to share their thoughts on culture, society, and current events, blending storytelling with commentary. Social media, too, offers writers a chance to share their ideas with a wider audience. Writers today are influencers in their own right, posting reflections, essays, and snippets of their work online.
Membership-only creators
Another trend helping writers earn a living in 2024 is the rise of membership-only content. This model allows writers to create exclusive content accessible only to paying subscribers. Platforms like Patreon and Substack are popular options for this, where readers can pay a monthly fee for access to additional writing, sneak peeks, and other content.
Writers who adopt this approach often offer supplementary material to their books—such as prequel stories about favourite characters, additional anecdotes from a fantasy world, or in-depth analyses of the themes they explore in their work. This approach offers writers a steady stream of income, but it requires commitment. Writers need to produce quality content regularly.
Crafting membership-worthy material isn’t just about offering extras; it’s about deepening engagement with fans and keeping them invested. Those entering this model need to familiarise themselves with subscription models. Read this guide to subscription billing, if you’re interested in understanding the financial aspects of running a membership system.
Merchandising as a marketing tool
Writers are also looking beyond words to diversify their income through merchandising. Merchandise serves not only as an additional revenue stream but also as a tool for brand awareness and community building.
Popular types of merch include stationery, badges featuring book covers or famous character quotes, and t-shirts emblazoned with book titles or iconic lines. Though selling merchandise may not guarantee a steady income, it helps writers to build a stronger connection with their audience.
Fans love to show off their admiration for a book or character, and merchandise offers a tangible way to do that. While not every writer can or should rely on merchandise for long-term financial stability, it plays a significant role in expanding a writer’s brand and cultivating a devoted fanbase.
In conclusion, the days when a writer’s income came solely from selling books are long gone. The creative landscape of 2024 demands that writers be more than just wordsmiths. To survive—and thrive—in today’s world, writers must embrace marketing, audience engagement, and versatility.
In this new reality, it’s clear: being a writer in 2024 requires creativity not only on the page but also in how they position themselves in the world.
