- I published my first book after 8 months of intense writing and editing. I wrote everything from scratch. For the format, I first started with markdown and converted to pdf. I later realized the latex formula is not well supported so I rewrote in Latex. I outsourced other tasks on fiverr: proofreading & grammar checking and editing (about $180), latex touch-up and restructure about $100, book cover $100. I self-published on Amazon and got 60% royalty. It's too early to say but I wouldn't be surprised if I can get 12k for the first year. In terms of time spent, I would probably better off do something else for better ROI.
- I'm working on another book with Packt. They contacted me and the royalty is slightly higher (16%). They tend to push authors to meet deadlines etc. I still have no idea who the editors are and their background.
So if you're passionate about something and you already have followers, you'd be better off with self-publishing.
I have a medium publication and an online ML course. On average, I make about 1.5k per month. Mostly passive. I've been working on it less than 12 months.
When I started, I want to make about $300 per month. Now that I make more, I struggle to find a way to scale. I'd be much more content when I reach $10k per month.
As someone who wrote about interview prep (mlengineer.io), I encounter people hate this LC-non-sense quite often. There are few things come in mind.
1. When you apply to STEM graduate program, you also need to take GRE. It's clearly that you don't need those GRE absurd words in your study. But I do see some values in people who dedicate their time to learn these GRE materials. Company might see it the same way, they want to hire grinder.
2. Some companies like Intuit, Airbnb try different method, for example, giving candidate 90 minutes to solve one particular engineering problem related to real world. After a while, people share the problem sets and everyone who have prepared can crush them easily.
3. Some of my ex-coworkers who are competent and have good swe skills but they never bother with LC. as a result they stick with underpaid jobs for years.
I strongly believe in the near future more companies will adapt different interview structure to evaluate candidates. The current structure heavily reward for grinders.
What do you guys think about educative? It's getting more popular in for people who focus on interviewing.
I've been told a good author can earn about 20k during 6 months. It's pretty good ROI given it's all passive. As an author myself, what I really want to a direct communication channel with readers to answer their questions.
As a Medium author (1), I'm very content with return. On a good month I made more than 500 and when I don't feel like writing I can still make good 200-300 per month.
I have a lot of friends got FB offers and most of them spend between 3 months to 6 months to prepare for the interview. With that level of preparation, some of them have to sacrifice their responsibilities on their day job. It's tough. (you can read some stories from my blog).
Not saving life but I directly and indirectly help dozen of people get into top companies. It's an amazing feeling when you see someone success because of you. To some extent, I felt like I'm reliving the offer experience over and over. In a way, I changed some people life and I felt oddly content.