Few writers live from book sales alone. Working as a full-time writer involves juggling a wide range of learning activities including teaching, reviewing, readings, editing, journalism, sitting on judging panels and more besides. For many, it means being self-employed so learning about things like tax, pensions, and artists exemption is essential. Mia Gallagher is a prize-winning fiction author, most recently of 'Beautiful Pictures of the Lost Homeland' which featured as the Irish Times Book Club choice.