Self-Publishing Success Stories: How 6 Authors Made It Happen

Is self-publishing your book the right move for you? In this blog post, we learn from the success stories of six authors who have succeeded in the self-publishing world. From their struggles and setbacks to their triumphs and successes, these authors provide valuable insight and inspiration for anyone considering self-publishing their own work.

Popular and Viable

Self-publishing has come a long way from it’s origins as a vanity exercise. Today, it is a popular and viable option for authors who want to take control of their publishing journey and retain the rights to their work. With the rise of e-books and online platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, it’s easier than ever to self-publish a book and reach a wide audience.

However, while self-publishing can provide many benefits, such as the ability to retain creative control and earn a higher percentage of royalties, it also comes with its own set of challenges. It’s up to the author to handle everything from editing and design to marketing and distribution. This can be overwhelming for many authors, particularly those who are new to the publishing world.

Follow Your Passion

Despite these challenges, many self-published authors have found success by following their passion and taking a proactive approach to their book’s promotion and distribution. Here are a few examples of successful self-published authors and the strategies they used to make it happen:

E.L. James

Whatever you may think of the literary merits of E.L. James, author of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy, she is a formidable example of how successful self-published writers can be. This author started out by putting her books on the online platform FanFiction.net. She gained a loyal following and eventually caught the attention of a traditional publisher, leading to the massive success of her books. James’ success shows the power of online communities and the importance of connecting with readers.

Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking, author of the “Trylle” trilogy, also started out self-publishing her books online, this time on the Kindle platform. She used social media and blogging to connect with readers and build a dedicated fan base. Eventually she sold over one million copies of her books before signing a traditional publishing deal. Hocking’s success demonstrates the potential of self-publishing and the importance of utilizing online marketing strategies.

Hugh Howey

Hugh Howey, author of the “Wool” series, started self-publishing his books on Amazon and eventually sold the rights to his books for a seven-figure deal. A combination of engaging storytelling and targeted marketing helped him reach a wide audience. Howey’s success is a fabulous example of the potential for self-published authors to use the power of a large audience to achieve financial success.

Self-Publishing Beyond Fiction

You may be forgiven for thinking that self-publishing is only for writers of fiction., but the truth is that it is now the best option for every type of book.

Tim Ferris

Tim Ferris, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and self-experimenter is known for his revolutionary approach to productivity and lifestyle design, as outlined in his books “The 4-Hour Work Week” and “Tools of Titans.”

Ferris started by self-publishing his first book before eventually signing a traditional publishing deal. He had a very clear sense of his unique value proposition and this focus helped him to reach his audience. Today, every book he writes is almost guaranteed to be a bestseller.

Marie Forleo

“Everything Is Figureoutable” is an interesting book from Marie Forleo, a born-and-raised Jersey girl who started with little more than “passion, a laptop and a dream”, as her publicity tells us. Forleo’s writing style is engaging and relatable, and her message of perseverance and determination is truly inspiring. The book is filled with actionable advice and real-life examples of how to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. 

Forleo published her book through her own company and used her popular online platform and her connections in the personal development industry to reach a large audience and achieve success for her book, thus proving that everything is indeed “figureoutable”.

Rachel Hollis

Self-publishing maven Rachel Hollis, author of the bestselling book “Girl, Wash Your Face,” used her blog and social media following to connect with readers and promote her work. This strategy led to multiple bestseller titles and ultimately, a traditional publishing deal.

Success Takes Time

It is said that success leaves footprints for others to follow. These authors teach us that self-publishing can be a realistic and rewarding option for authors of every genre. They each took control of the publishing process and used their online platforms and social media networks to reach a large audience and create a community of like-minded people. It was ultimately that which helped them achieve their goals.

If you’re considering self-publishing your own book, remember that success takes time and dedication. Be prepared to put in the work to promote your book and connect with readers, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. With the right approach, self-publishing can be a great way to achieve your publishing dreams.

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