I wonder how many people write in the expectation of a financial reward. It seems like - aside from the occasional King, Brown or Rowling - even the most popula

I wonder how many people write in the expectation of a financial reward. It seems like - aside from the occasional King, Brown or Rowling - even the most popular writers have a tough time supporting themselves by writing full-time. Most writers must hold down a more mundane job. Is there really a downside to self-publishing if it isn't realistic to expect a payoff either way?