TWUC writing income survey: sobering data
Friday, May 29, 2015
Canadian writers are working harder to make less, according to a survey summary released by the Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) of writers’ income levels in Canada.
The survey findings paint a precarious portrait of the writing life. They include:.
- The average writer income is $12,879.
- 27% of writers report earning less from their writing than they did in 1998 (the last time TWUC conducted an income survey).
- 45% of writers report working harder than they did in 1998 in order to make a living.
- 81% of writers report earning an income from their writing that is below the poverty line.
- Female writers earn only 55% of what male writers earn.
The survey also touches on the recent decline in royalty payments both creators and publishers have received from Access Copyright, primarily due to the education sector’s interpretation of uses covered by “fair dealing” for educational purposes. Half of respondents reported a decline of royalties from Access Copyright with the average decline being 25%.
Access Copyright affiliate Kate Taylor provided further comment and analysis on the results of the TWUC survey in her column for the Globe & Mail.