How One Author Generates $97K a Year in Passive Income With Just Two Amazon Books

Overview

Rachel Richards was getting tired of answering the same personal finance questions again and again. As a licensed analyst and part-time real estate agent, she knew there had to be a better way to reach more people without burning out on one-on-one chats. In 2017 she started writing “Money Honey,” a book that made money topics simple and fun for young women.

Background

Before the books, she worked at a manufacturing firm as a financial analyst. A real estate license added a second income stream, but her peers still came to her for budget and debt advice at odd hours. She wondered why fewer people opened a book or listened to a podcast on money. Most finance books felt dry, academic or intimidating—which sparked her idea to write in a sassy tone that felt like a friend’s chat.

Writing & Launch

She began drafting in January 2017 and self-published on Amazon KDP by September. Editing and cover design ran her about $2,000. Her launch plan didn’t rely on big ad budgets. Rachel joined Facebook groups for female millennials, built rapport, and asked group members to vote on covers and titles. These early fans became her informal launch team, buying copies and posting reviews within days of release.

Review & Pricing Tactics

Rachel made the ebook free for a five-day window to jumpstart downloads and reviews—gaining 60 reviews in the first week. She monitored competitors’ prices, then set hers just below similar titles. Over months she tested pricing: today “Money Honey” sells as an ebook for $6.68, paperback at $6.39 and audiobook at $4.31. These tweaks keep her royalty margin high.

Results

By July 2022 she’d sold roughly 50,000 copies across both books, generating about $97,000 in net royalties. Month to month, sales for “Money Honey” settled around $1,500 in revenue after launch. She’d spent just $75 on ads, relying mostly on word-of-mouth and social media mentions in finance circles.

Lessons Learned

Focusing on a clear niche of young women gave her a unique voice in a crowded market. Early reviews boosted her Amazon ranking, which drove organic sales. Small experiments in pricing and free promotions amplified visibility without big ad spends. And direct messages to contacts built momentum in week one—proof that hands-on hustle pays off even in a passive model.