Looking for inspiration for your self-publishing journey? Keep reading!
Chances are there are way more self-published books on the market than you realize. Even some of your favorite books might have been self-published without you ever noticing. The great thing about self-publishing is that you can earn royalties even without achieving the same level of recognition as New York Times bestsellers.
In this article, we'll take a look at seven of the most famous self-publishers to inspire you on your own self-publishing path.
The definition of self-publishing is the act of a creator publishing their work independently, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. Self-publishing has come a long way, especially with AI improving day by day. In the past, there was no other option than to go through a traditional publishing house or fork up a ton of cash for vanity presses to print your books. And now, that's no longer necessary.
The printing press came about during the 15th century, which allowed books to be printed in mass quantities. But self-publishing still wasn’t really a thing, and you could really only get a publishing deal the traditional way. Printing and publishing were simply way too expensive and time-consuming, a trend that would last centuries.
Then, by the ‘90s, Print-on-demand (POD) technology changed everything. People were finally able to print and distribute their books without having to invest large amounts of money upfront. This made self-publishing more accessible to the general public. And then, of course, came the internet. Now, anyone with the drive to publish a book has the opportunity to earn from their work.
The introduction of eBooks and online retailers like Amazon KDP has completely changed the game for the publishing industry. Now, you can publish their books digitally and reach a global audience without having to worry about printing and distribution costs.
And, of course, we need to mention artificial intelligence. AI already has so many uses, and it’s getting better every single day. Here are just a few use cases that might be helpful assistance as a self-publisher:
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for the future of publishing, check out Publishing.ai ;)
Who needs a traditional publishing house anyway?
Here are some of the most famous self-publishing success stories in both fiction and nonfiction.
Beatrix Potter self-published "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" after being rejected by several publishers. The book went on to become a beloved classic, with Potter eventually publishing over a dozen more children's books.
Before Margaret Atwood became known for “The Handmaid’s Tale,” she actually self-published several of her own poems. Now, some of her works have even been turned into award-winning TV series.
Lisa Genova self-published "Still Alice" after being rejected by multiple publishers who didn’t like her topic. The novel, which tells the story of a woman with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, was eventually adapted into an Oscar-winning movie. She wrote about her experiences in this blog post called “Self Publish or Perish!”
Robert Kiyosaki self-published "Rich Dad Poor Dad" in 1997 after being turned down by traditional publishers. The book, which offers personal finance advice based on Kiyosaki's own experiences, went on to become a best-seller and spawned a series of follow-up books.
Irma Rombauer self-published the first edition of "The Joy of Cooking" in 1931. The cookbook, which has since sold over 18 million copies, has become a staple in kitchens around the world. She also had her daughter help her revise the book and publish several new editions.
David Chilton self-published "The Wealthy Barber" in 1989, a financial planning book presented in a narrative style. Unlike some of the other self-publishers on this list, Chilton didn’t have any difficulty with getting recognized by the traditional publishers—he simply didn’t believe in them to begin with.
Tim Ferriss - "The 4-Hour Workweek"
Tim Ferriss has self-published half a dozen books on various self-help and business subjects over the years, landing him on the bestseller list time and again.
We’re not saying that non-fiction is better than fiction, but one might be better suited to your financial goals.
Let’s get something straight. When you step into the publisher role, you get to make all the final decisions about what to publish, when to publish it, and where to publish it. If you want to work on children’s books, poetry, and sci-fi novels, no one can stop you!
There are plenty of people who have found success with writing and publishing fiction. Our AIA course has helped many self-publishers learn strategies for creating and marketing non-fiction books.
You can read more success stories here.
Here are some of the most common challenges, considerations, and cons of self-publishing you should keep in mind:
Unlike a traditional publishing house which often has a team of professionals helping with editing, design, and marketing, self-publishers have to oversee the whole process themselves. This means that you are responsible for ensuring that your book is well-written, well-designed, and well-marketed. You may face criticism from readers if your book is not up to par.
To overcome this challenge, you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort required to make your book the best it can be. This may involve hiring an editor, cover designer, and marketing professional to help you. You should also be open to feedback and willing to make changes to your book if necessary.
From writing to editing to promotion, self-publishing requires a time investment that some underestimate. But the thing is, without a boss to answer to, you’re 100% in charge of your timeline. Maybe you work best in short spurts over the weekend. Maybe you prefer scheduling time to work on your publishing business when your kid goes down for a nap. There’s no right or wrong way to make this business work for you!
Some people believe that self-publishing is only for those who can’t get traditionally published or that self-published books are of lower quality than traditionally published books. The thing is, there are thousands of successful self-publishers who have already proven them wrong.
You’ll meet them in the next section.
If you think you’re not “rich enough” or “smart enough” to try self-publishing, hopefully these stories will give you a dose of inspiration and prove to you that none of those things matter.
Marc tried all the side hustles and businesses you could imagine, wasting thousands of dollars on leads that went nowhere. See why he finally decided to stick with self-publishing.
Lesley is a super mom who kept plenty busy between being a mom, a full-time nurse, and a personal trainer. She still found time to launch her self-publishing business who earned thousands of dollars in royalties within a few months of launching her self-publishing business.
Before self-publishing, Daniel went through some really dark times dealing with his addiction. After turning his life around, he he earned $500 in royalties from his first published work.
Results will vary, and we don’t guarantee financial outcomes. Many students don’t apply our strategies and make little to no money. Based on a 2024 survey, students who actively publish books earn an estimated average of $1,800/month in royalties. They also invest in advertising and book creation. Your results depend on effort, market conditions, and skills.
Ready to learn more about the inner workings of self-publishing? We'd love to tell you how you can boost your productivity with AI and generate high-quality content faster than traditional publishing.
Sign up and learn how AI tools can assist with:
Identifying in-demand book topics
Developing online marketing strategies
Expanding your reach to a global audience
Optimizing your book offerings
and more!
