Buttmunker

And I mean before it was picked up to become a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio in 2000.

The book was published in 1997 - while I don't think it lit the world on fire (I don't know if it became a #1 Bestseller), did it catapult Mr. Garland's lifestyle? Did it make him independently wealthy enough to quit his day job and allow him to write full-time?

I'm sure that once the publishing rights for the movie came about, it definitely secured his life - but if the book had never been picked up to become a movie, would it have made a big difference in his life?

djmont

Most authors don't make enough from most books to radically change their lifestyles or even quit their day jobs. The typical advance for a first novel is between $5k and $10k.

I don't know anything about the sales for this book. But I don't think it was a bestseller.

Fincher Fan

I highly doubt it. Were you thinking of asking him for a loan?

Josh-da-man

Every now and then there's a first-time author who gets a six or seven figure advance, though I suspect they do so through connections in the industry.

I have no clue if Garland might've been one of those, though.

bishop2knight

The Beach was a fantastic read, but I doubt he was able to quit his day job. Of course, I don't know what his day job was.

Buttmunker

I just wonder how lucrative it would be to be an author. I mean, not everybody can be Stephen King and come out with one great book after another. Sometimes, all you have in you is To Kill A Mockingbird or Gone With The Wind. If your first and only book does not make you independently wealthy, you have to really hope that your book gets picked up for a movie.

djmont

I know quite a few authors who make a good living from writing and are able to support themselves in a comfortable way. (And I know some who make a fortune.) But they're the exception.

starseed1981

Technically it did. Because of the book he became associated with Danny Boyle (director of the film version of the beach). After this he wrote several screenplays including: 28 Days Later,28 Weeks Later, Halo & Sunshine.