The African American Literature Book Club has partnered with the Authors Guild, the nation’s oldest author advocacy organization, and more than 20 other leading author and publishing organizations to support the Guild’s advocacy for working writers.

To do this we need accurate, independent information on author-related income. We are asking U.S. resident, published authors, in all genres, and at all levels of experience and income to join in.

Completing this survey is particularly important for Black authors. You may recall how #PublishingPaidMe, created by novelist L.L. McKinney, revealed the often alarming inequalities in the advances paid to Black compared to nonblack writers, including award-winning, bestselling authors Jesmyn Ward and N.K. Jemisin.

Our partnership with the Authors Guild will strengthen the advocacy work needed to protect and promote the writing profession. Your participation ensures your voice is heard by government policymakers, industry leaders, and others, and it will benefit you, your fellow authors, and U.S. literary culture.

We will protect your privacy — your response is completely anonymous. Further, all organizational-level results will be held in strict confidence by the Authors Guild, as confirmed by the confidentiality agreement signed between AALBC and the Authors Guild.

If you don’t have income or royalty advance information readily available for 2022, your best estimates are still extremely valuable. You will be able to complete this survey in under twenty-five minutes. The survey will close on Monday, February 20th.

In appreciation for your time, you’ll be able to also enter a separate “thank you” drawing hosted by the Authors Guild for one of a hundred $50 Visa gift cards.