I know the value of remembering the work I've completed as a writer, so a few years ago I began creating a public recap of my work accomplishments...and sharing it. Why public? It's important for others to understand that this work as a professional children's author includes a wide variety of work. Much of what I do is not writing books, though it's often related. Laura Purdie Salas has shared valuable financial information as a children's author. Her transparency helps me keep perspective. I hope this helps others do the same, though in a different way.
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| Yes, this graphic is from a year ago. I look almost the same. Today I'm wearing the same sweatshirt and a few more wrinkles. |
In general, this blog includes articles focusing on my nonfiction children's writing, help for writers, and support for teachers. This article shares some specifics of my writing and work life. If you write, your work life may look completely different!
I thought I'd share some income information. You'll see it's not specific in any sort of way for multiple reasons.
1) I won't know totals until April.
2) Some income information can't be disclosed.
3) I don't want to share specifics online.
Some Context
I write/writing-related-work full time, with 30-40 hours a week. (Sometimes more, but not typically.) I do not earn a living from my work.
(I say this meaning I rely on another income--my husband's--to pay most of the day-to-day bills of life. We don't live extravagantly. For perspective, when we bought a third vehicle last year since we have four drivers in the house. It's 11 years old and is my daily drive.)
Also, when a book is my idea I spend years researching and writing some. The animal books in The Truth About series typically take me six months to research, write, and revise. That time also allows me to consult with an expert. For the work-for-hire books I write, some I research and write in a month. It depends on the contract and expectations from the publisher.
1 Major-ish Award
(Income: $0)
I was named the 2025 Outstanding Pennsylvania Author by Pennsylvania School Librarians Association. Maybe I shouldn't call this a major award since you likely have never heard of it, but it's HUGE to me! I traveled to Erie, PA with my husband and even had to give an acceptance speech (as pictured below). You can read a bit about my thoughts here.
15 Newly Published 2025 Books
(Income: $0. I was paid when I wrote the manuscripts in previous years. For the first two listed, there is a potential for royalties...someday.)
Flick! The Truth About Lizards, Reycraft Books
I wrote and researched this book in 2023. Yes, it sometimes takes two or more years for picture books to go to print.
Some affiliate links included here for your convenience, but I prefer you to buy books from your local bookstore.
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Quirky Critter Devotions: 52 Wild Wonders for Kids now in GERMAN! First published in 2024 with Tyndale. Tierisch Gute Momente Mit Gott written by me and translated by Anke Becker and published by R.Brockhaus.
I *think* the German title translates to "Wonderful Moments with God: 52 Devotions on Wonders from the Animal Kingdom." (Don't forget! I have printable Quirky Critter Question Cards for free. No email needed.)
My first two books in Who HQ's 50 States series released in 2025! These were work-for-hire. I learned so much!
Where Is Pennsylvania? and Where Is Texas? Penguin Random House/Penguin Workshop
Behind the Brand biographies, Crabtree Books/Seahorse Publishing
And you know I love animals. These insect books were also work-for-hire. Insects are incredible!
2 Countries
5 New Book Projects
(Income: Yes. I earned income for each of the state books listed below. I can't disclose the exact amount, but it was a flat rate since they are work-for-hire projects. Even if they sell a million copies, I will not earn additional income from them.)
Book Manuscripts Written in 2025
These state projects are for the Who HQ series with Penguin Random House/Penguin Workshop. They included lots and lots of research and revisions. These are work-for-hire which means they were not my idea, but the publisher's. I was hired to write the words in the way they want them.
Completed Manuscripts
Where Is Tennessee?
Where Is New Jersey?
Where Is Missouri?
Where Is Wisconsin?
Where Is Minnesota?
These were around 5,000 words each.
In addition, I submitted my historic nonfiction to a few publishers. No contract right now.
NOTE: I get asked about work-for-hire a lot! If you're curious about getting assignments from editors, you may want to read my blog post about writing for the educational market which includes work-for-hire like the biographies and insect books listed above. I also have an upcoming educational market workshop as part of the Picture Book Creators Conference. My affiliate code gets you a 30% discount: ANNETTE30.
19 Shorter Writing Projects
(Income: $0)
Written Articles and Interviews
11 at AnnetteWhipple.com
Most popular children's nonfiction articles written in 2025: Free Teacher Guides for Nonfiction Books and How to Self-Edit a Children's Book
Most popular children's nonfiction articles of all time: Cover Letter Samples for Book Submissions and How to Set Up a Research Notebook
4 at WilderCompanion.com
Most popular Little House-related blog articles written in 2025: Where Is Laura Ingalls Wilder Buried? and 45 Activities for Little House on the Prairie
Most popular Little House-related blog articles of all time: Little House and Real Life Timeline for the Real Laura Ingalls Wilder and Pioneer Games Classroom Visit
10 Newsletters
My newsletters celebrate curiosity and nonfiction children's books. They are completely free and include fun facts as well as resources and information for writers and teachers. Read the latest "post" and subscribe at https://substack.com/@annettewhipple.
4 Interviews, Features, Articles, and Blog Posts for Others
1 interview article (not-yet-published)
1 print magazine article (not-yet-published)
These all vary in length. For perspective the article you are reading right now is 1,700 words long.
However, much of my work as a writer isn't actually writing. Read on.
19 Consultations & Critiques
(Income: About half of these included paying clients.)
Over the years, I've learned a ton from others in the industry. I like using what I've learned to help others. This year I had multiple clients return to me for additional consultations. Some I met through social media or teaching a writing workshop. A few came to me through others' recommendations. (This number also includes critique partners/groups.) Thank you for trusting me!
19 writers helped through critiques or consultations.
33 Events
(Income: Earned from 24 events. Nine events were volunteered. Events often include author fees. Sometimes I paid related registration and travel fees. Sometimes the event organizer or my publisher paid related fees.)
I was once a teacher, so I love to teach and help all ages through my events and presentations. Some school visits and writing conferences last for multiple days. A presentation at a book festival might last only 15 minutes (and not include a slideshow). But for my keynote address at the Literacy Association of Tennessee Conference, I shared for about forty minutes. This year I had another international event online--this time in Canada.
The numbers below don't reflect how many presentations I shared. In-person school visits often have 3-4 presentations in a day with between 150 and 300 students in each session. At writing conferences I teach as many sessions as requested. Sometimes it's intense. Other times it's low-key. No matter what, there's always a lot of preparation involved (even if I've taught the same topic before) in addition to communication leading up to the event.
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| The beginning of a school presentation in Lancaster, PA! |
33 days of events (not presentations)
14 author visits at schools with students
6 community events (like zoo, library, church, museum, book festival, story time events)
13 days of educator conferences/professional developments/history conferences/writing workshops/conferences
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| The children at Barnes and Noble in Vestal, NY cracked Wilbur and me up! |
In-person events were in the United States. I also had an Ontario, Canada event online with a wonderful group of educators.
7 States
Most of my events took place in Pennsylvania, where I live. I also visited Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Texas for conferences, school visits, book signings, and other events.
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| Author friends Pat Zietlow Miller, me, and Hanh Bui at ALA. |
My current, public calendar of author events is available for those who are curious.
(Also, I'm an introvert. I need a day to recover from nearly every event because I give so much energy to it...but I love people, and they're worth it. You're worth it!)
Are you an author and want more events? I wrote an article that may help you get more author events.
Additional Work
Reading
I'm sure you understand that reading is part of my work--including researching. This typically happens away from my desk (and often throughout evenings and weekends). Sometimes I read and take notes. Other times I read just to be exposed to a book. Other times I reread and reread to better understand. Oh, I also read for fun!
Social media
Social media marketing definitely consumes a lot of time. Some weeks and months I share more than other times. People seem to appreciate what I share. I hope.
More
Sometimes I'm invited to a podcast or interview for an article or blog. It's all part of the job. See more guest posts and interviews here.
Want More?
I wrote similar posts sharing about my years as an author for 2018, 2022, 2023, and 2024. You might also be interested in keeping up with me through my free newsletter or on social media. Look for me as Annette Whipple Books...or just Annette Whipple on X (Twitter)/BluSky.
What surprised you the most about my writing year?
I like learning about others' work and how it often includes something different than what I thought. Is this type of article helpful to you?
Is there anything you're curious about that I didn't address? Ask away!
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