You Won't Believe These 10 Books Were Self-Published!

Ever wondered how some books defy the odds and skyrocket to fame?

Discover the incredible journeys of 10 self-published authors who turned rejections into triumphs and became bestsellers! From 'The Martian' to 'Legally Blonde,' these stories will inspire you to dream big.

1. The Martian by Andy Weir

Andy Weir, used his computer science background to write "The Martian" in 2009. Initially rejected by agents he published chapters for free online.

After fan requests, he released it on Amazon Kindle, where it became a best-seller with 35,000 copies sold in 3 months.

This led to a deal with Crown in 2013, a New York Times Best Seller debut, and an award-winning film adaptation starring Matt Damon.

2. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter faced multiple rejections when she first submitted her "Peter Rabbit" manuscript, with publishers divided on its length and illustrations. Undeterred, Potter self-published 250 copies in 1901, distributing to friends.

Publisher Frederick Warne & Co. later reconsidered, and Potter agreed to include colored illustrations. Before its official 1902 release, pre-orders had already sold 8,000 copies, proving the book's undeniable appeal.

3. Wool by Hugh Howey

Hugh Howey's "Wool" started as a self-published short story on Amazon KDP in 2011.

The series gained traction, leading Howey to expand it and secure a $500,000 print-only deal with Simon & Schuster in 2012.

He also sold film rights to 20th Century Fox but retained online distribution rights.

4. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

After facing rejection from publishers, Robert Kiyosaki self-published "Rich Dad Poor Dad" in 1997, initially printing 1,000 copies.

A friend bought 976 copies to sell at his car wash, giving the book an unconventional start.

Remarkably, it made the New York Times Best Seller list three years later, the only self-published book to do so at the time. Eventually, Warner Books picked it up, cementing its status as an iconic personal finance book.

5. The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer

Irma Rombauer, widowed at 52 with $6,000 in savings, was encouraged by her children to compile her recipes into a book.

She self-funded the first edition of "The Joy of Cooking" in 1930, spending $3,000 to print 3,000 copies.

After selling most of the initial run, she found a new publisher, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, which released an expanded edition in 1936. Subsequent editions followed, turning the book into a culinary staple for generations.

6. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

As a teen, Christopher Paolini handwrote the first draft of Eragon and refined it for over a year.

His parents, published it via their home-based company. Despite 135 promotional talks across the U.S., the book gained little traction.

In 2002, writer Carl Hiaasen's stepson discovered and loved the book. Hiaasen introduced it to Alfred A. Knopf, leading to its re-publication in summer 2003, finally gaining the attention it deserved.

7. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

E.L. James' Fifty Shades series originated as Twilight fanfiction called Master of the Universe.

After removing it due to its explicit content, James rebranded the characters as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.

The reworked story was published in three parts, starting with Fifty Shades of Grey in 2011 by an Australian virtual publisher.

Sales soared due to word-of-mouth and blog publicity. U.S. news caught on in 2012, leading Vintage Books to acquire and re-release the series.

8. Still Alice by Lisa Genova

In 2007, Lisa Genova self-published "Still Alice" after facing multiple rejections. She sold copies from her car and tirelessly marketed the book, hosting events and maintaining an online presence.

Within seven months, local press took notice, and she hired a publicist. By nine months, she secured an agent who auctioned the book to Simon & Schuster. The story, about a woman with early-onset Alzheimer's, was adapted into an award-winning 2014 film starring Julianne Moore.

9. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

James Redfield self-published "The Celestine Prophecy" in 1993 after failing to find a publisher. Remarkably, he sold 100,000 copies from his car, catching Warner Books' attention.

The book then spent 165 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and was adapted into a 2006 film. It explores a journey to understand nine spiritual insights from an ancient Peruvian manuscript.

10. Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown

In 2000, Amanda Brown met with film producer Marc Platt, who helped her develop her manuscript into a novel. Meanwhile, he brought in screenwriters to adapt the book into a film.

Brown self-published Legally Blonde as a print-on-demand book in 2001, the same year the film debuted. The book was later republished in 2003.