@unforth-ninawaters
The fact that people will not pay at least $5 for 1k is so sad. It probably comes from that whole “everyone can write” notion. Yeah, sure, anyone could in theory but not everyone does. Ugh. I will contain my ranting.

If you’re a professional or semi-professional I say anything under 3 cents (US dollar) per word is unacceptable. I think I read the current rate for writing is anywhere between 3 and 30 cents per word for freelance. It’s been a while though, so maybe that’s inaccurate now. My opinion is that fan authors shouldn’t charge less than 1 cent per word. Yes, that means 1k is $10 but thats still less than semi-pro and it’s a steal for the buyer. They’re getting custom art, afterall.

But, ya know, writing isn’t valued the same way drawing or painting is so the idea of charging $10 for 1k seems nuts to a lot of people.

I think if more fan authors knew the rates and charged accordingly people would be willing to pay. As it is, charging a rate of one penny per word seems like you’re charging too much, esp when writers undercut themselves at the get go. If everyone charged more it wouldn’t seem so outlandish though.