🎯 Free Tool
Work Backwards From Your Income Goal
Enter your monthly income target and see exactly how many books, sales per day, and ad budget you need to get there.
📊 Your Income Goal
How much you want to take home each month
Typical ebook: $2.10–$3.50 | Print: $1.50–$4.00
0% if you're wide; 30–60% if KDP Select
Amazon Ads + other platforms combined
Active titles driving sales
📈 Your Roadmap
Gross royalties needed—
Total sales per month—
Sales per day—
Sales per book per month—
KU income needed—
Net income after ads—
Common Income Milestones
Using $2.80 average royalty, 30% KU income, $500/month ad spend.
Side Income
$1,000/mo
~536 sales/mo · 18/day
~107 per book (5 books)
Gross needed: $2,143
~107 per book (5 books)
Gross needed: $2,143
Part-Time Income
$3,000/mo
~1,607 sales/mo · 54/day
~161 per book (10 books)
Gross needed: $5,000
~161 per book (10 books)
Gross needed: $5,000
Full-Time Income
$6,000/mo
~3,214 sales/mo · 107/day
~214 per book (15 books)
Gross needed: $9,286
~214 per book (15 books)
Gross needed: $9,286
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books do I need to make $1,000 a month?
At $2.80 per ebook sale, you'd need about 358 sales per month. Spread across 5 books, that's roughly 72 sales per book — very achievable for authors with decent backlists and some marketing.
Is $5,000 a month realistic as an indie author?
Yes, but it typically requires either a substantial backlist (10+ books) or strong paid advertising. Many full-time indie authors reach $5k/month with 8–15 titles, consistent releases, and Amazon Ads spend of $500–$2,000/month.
Should I include KU page reads in my income goal planning?
Yes — for authors in KDP Select, KU income can be 30–60% of total royalties. The planner lets you include an estimated KU income percentage so your targets reflect your real revenue mix.
How does ad spend factor into income goals?
Ad spend is a cost that reduces net income. If your goal is $3,000/month net and you spend $500/month on ads, your gross royalty target needs to be $3,500/month. Always plan to your net income goal, not gross.
Track Your Progress Towards Your Goal
ScribeCount pulls your royalties from 40+ platforms daily so you can see exactly how close you are to your income target — every single day.
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