I am responding before reading on so hopefully I’m not duplicating. But we are assuming that his only income is from publishing.
If he had made more money from his super secret cliquey behind the paywall website forum, that may add some more. If that had been going on awhile and was invested it could have grown. I can’t remember the numbers that were suggested per user. Also, what did he get paid for each speaking engagement?
I agree they were probably inflated, but I also see him as the type to pigeon hole money away. And I also believe he would have included Lori’s income in that number.
I’m really most curious why at first they wanted a room only. Was it desolate? Out of sight? Or why?
I think it has been claimed that he didn't get paid for speaking by the organization that will not be named. That's possible that they just picked up any costs he incurred, but didn't pay him and it was just the marketing of his books and publicity (essentially the access to all the potential new readers) that were his motivation for talking at the conferences.