What's your definition of success?

If there's one thing I've noticed about both the publishing industry and the music industry is that the perception of industry is rarely the reality. A lot of people see a "best selling" author on the Today Show or listen to the latest sensation on pop radio and think those people are making millions of dollars and/or letting the publisher or label do all the work. But in more cases than not, the perception and the truth don't line up.

Our founder Dr. Richard Tate recently shared on his blog about a "best selling" author and her earnings (published by Penguin). This author shared her recent royalty statement.  She had sold close to 65,000 units, which is nothing to laugh at, but she still hasn't seen a dime besides her $50,000 advance. And once you break down the advance (how much goes towards taxes, how much goes to her agent, how much goes to business expenses), she only netted about $26,000.  Not a small amount of money, I know. But if she considers the book her "full-time" job, then the guy picking up her trash is making more money than her per year.

As our authors move through the production process, many times I get to talk with them regarding their goals and aspirations for the project—or in so many terms—what is you definition of success. Some authors have told me that if their book doesn't sell 500,000 copies, they will consider it a failure. Others tell me they want to see their book on the shelf at Barnes & Noble.

There's nothing wrong with lofty goals and shooting for the moon, but my definition of success is simple—did I generate more income than outcome? If I make money in the long-run, I call that a success. And when I see artists and authors succeeding (based on my definition), how they get there rarely looks like what you'd expect.

I want to chew on this idea during the month of May with you guys, but for the moment take away this—the perception of success is not always the reality.