The article doesn't say these books sell 2000 copies a year; it says they sell 2000 copies, period. Generously assume a $30 new release hardcover cost ("The City Is Up For Grabs", the most recent book I bought, cost $25) and a 20% gross margin for the publisher, and you're talking $35k total to split between the publisher and the author.
It does talk about celebrity books selling some low number of copies within the year of publication. Presumably those books do keep selling at some level for some long tail of the book being in print. But unless books are utterly unlike all other media, 80-90% of the proceeds from selling the book will come during the new release window.
It does talk about celebrity books selling some low number of copies within the year of publication. Presumably those books do keep selling at some level for some long tail of the book being in print. But unless books are utterly unlike all other media, 80-90% of the proceeds from selling the book will come during the new release window.