How one author made millions

We are often asked: Can I make money self-publishing?

The answer is yes, there are self-published authors who have been successful in earning significant income from their self-published books. While it is difficult to determine exact figures, as many self-published authors do not disclose their earnings, there are some high-profile examples of self-published authors who have achieved significant financial success.

One example is E.L. James, who self-published her "Fifty Shades of Grey" series first as e-books before they were picked up by a traditional publisher. Originally these were posted on fan fiction websites and it was when E.L James took the plunge to self-publish that her books caught the attention of a traditional publisher. The series became a global phenomenon and has reportedly sold over 150 million copies worldwide, making James a millionaire several times over.

Another example is Andy Weir, who self-published his science fiction novel "The Martian" as a serial on his personal blog before it was picked up by a traditional publisher and became a bestseller. The novel has since been adapted into a popular film, further boosting Weir's income.

Self-publishing can be a challenging and competitive field, but with hard work, dedication, and a compelling book, it is possible for self-published authors to achieve financial success and build a successful career as self-published authors.Those are some big examples. Well I'm going to give you five more including one that will really shock you:

1. J.K. Rowling. Yes you heard that right. While J.K. Rowling is best known for her Harry Potter series, which was traditionally published, she has also self-published several books under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The Cormoran Strike series, which was initially self-published as e-books before being picked up by a traditional publisher, has been a bestseller and has been adapted into a popular television series.

2. Hugh Howey: Hugh Howey is a science fiction author who self-published his Wool series as a serial on Amazon before it was picked up by a traditional publisher. The series has been a bestseller and has been optioned for film and television adaptations.

3. H.M. Ward: H.M. Ward is a romance author who self-published her Damaged series as e-books before it was picked up by a traditional publisher. The series has been a bestseller and has been translated into multiple languages.

4. Bella Andre: Bella Andre is a romance author who self-published her Sullivan family series as e-books before it was picked up by a traditional publisher. The series has been a bestseller and has been translated into multiple languages.

5. Mark Dawson: Mark Dawson is a thriller author who self-published his John Milton series as e-books before it was picked up by a traditional publisher. The series has been a bestseller and has been optioned for film and television adaptations.

Okay, so those must be outlier examples?

Not true. According to a survey conducted by the Author Earnings website, self-published authors made up a significant percentage of the top-selling e-book authors on Amazon in 2019 with self-published authors accounting for about 40% of the top 100 e-book bestsellers.

The self-publishing industry is a rapidly evolving field, and the success of self-published authors has been increasing in recent years as the technology and infrastructure for self-publishing have improved. I would estimate this figure is much higher today. Hope you have enjoyed this email about self-publishing success. A very merry holiday season to everyone. I hope you take this time to rest and connect with your family and friends.See you in the New Year Patrick and the Publishing Push team.