Publishing & Profits: Spoiler, It’s More Passion Than Payday

Alright, folks, time for some real talk about the glamorous world of publishing. Spoiler alert: I’m not retiring on an island anytime soon. So, if you’ve been picturing me counting stacks of cash while sipping mojitos—well, it’s more like counting sales in between sips of lukewarm coffee. But hey, that’s the reality of self-publishing, and I wouldn’t have it any other way (okay, maybe the island part wouldn’t hurt).

Let me pull back the curtain on the real story behind the books, the profits, and why this is more passion than payday.

Rayna Jo Zest signing her newest book!

Why Write? Because My Parents Deserve It (and I’m Building Something for My Kids)

Let’s start with the why. I didn’t jump into the world of children’s books thinking I was going to hit it big. I wrote Oliver the Owl as a tribute to my parents and the beautiful chaos that was our family’s restaurant. Early on, I realized that whether my books sold like hotcakes or not, I was doing it for them—and for me. It’s a way to capture the memories, the laughter, and the food-filled moments we shared, and pass that on to my kids and (hopefully) yours.

In fact, the real legacy I’m building is for my children. This project is about leaving something behind that reflects my creativity, our family values, and a love for trying new things. If my books can inspire future generations of young readers, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Let’s Talk Profits: Think Coffee, Not Champagne

Now, onto the juicy stuff—what does a self-published author actually make on a book? My books sell on Amazon for $13.99. After Jeff Bezos takes his cut, I walk away with $4.20 per book. That’s right, folks, a solid four bucks and change. Just enough for a fancy latte if I skip the whipped cream.

If I want to keep books on hand for events, I can order copies myself for about $5.15 a pop. Then, if I sell one personally, my profit is $8.84. So yeah, no one’s exactly rolling out the red carpet for these sales. It’s more like rolling up my sleeves and hoping people love the story enough to share it with friends.

Marketing: A One-Woman Show

Now, Amazon does a bit of marketing, but most of it? That’s all me. I’m a one-woman show, doing everything from creating ads to boosting posts on Facebook. I’ve thrown a few dollars at Amazon ads and boosted a post or two, but here’s the thing—real sales come when people hear the story, see the book in person, and feel that connection.

Word of mouth is the secret sauce (or maybe it’s butter, since we’re talking about cooking). And for every hour spent writing the books, there’s probably another two spent hustling on the marketing side. It’s a labor of love, emphasis on labor.

Big Bucks? Not Exactly. But Big Joy? Absolutely.

Now, to make a living off this gig, I’d need to sell about 50 books a day. Fifty. Every. Day. Let’s just say I’m not quite there yet. But here’s the truth: Even if the cash isn’t rolling in, the joy definitely is.

There’s something magical about seeing a kid with one of my books, or hearing from a parent that their family made one of the recipes together. Those moments are what keep me going. The joy of sharing a story, seeing it come to life in someone else’s home—that’s what it’s all about.

It’s All About the Bonding (and Maybe a Few Kitchen Mishaps)

For me, the heart of the Oliver the Owl series is about bringing families together. Growing up in my family’s restaurant, food was the centerpiece of everything we did. It was messy, loud, and full of laughter (and the occasional family ice fight). I want to inspire those same kinds of moments in other families—bringing kids into the kitchen, trying new things, and maybe even making a mess or two.

So, if a few sugar cookies burn along the way because we had to clean up the melting ice, that’s okay. It’s all part of the fun.

What’s Next? Building a Community of Young Readers

Oliver and his friends aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. I’ve got more books in the works, and the story is just getting started. My dream is to eventually build a community of children around the series who love to try new things. I’d love to expand on this opportunity by creating a space for engagement, and a whole lot of fun. Imagine a virtual space where kids can join in, try recipes, and connect with other little chefs—it’s all about making cooking (and reading) an adventure!

At the end of the day, this isn’t about raking in profits. It’s about creating stories that matter, moments that stick with families, and a little bit of magic that lasts beyond the pages.

And hey, if I ever do get that island and mojito, you’re all invited. Until then, I’ll be here, coffee in hand, bringing Oliver to life one book at a time.