What type of financial return can I expect of my book publishing investment?

Jim Frey: In terms of financial returns, I think a first timer or new author has to keep in mind that they are an unknown name in the literary marketplace and that successes of first time authors are extremely rare. Success being having a return on the investment of funds that they have made if they are dealing with print-on-demand or self/subsidy publishers. We tell people to invest money only if they can afford that amount of funds to get their book published. There are exceptions to the rules. We’ve had quite a few authors that have recouped their investment, initial investment when reprints were done, but for that first print quantity it's extremely rare that people will sell enough books to make up for the investment that they made. You have got to be realistic about your objectives as a first time author. I have mentioned before and I’ll say it again, if you are doing it to fulfill a personal dream and be a published author then do this. If you are doing it to retire on the proceeds from your book sales, don't do it.