Self-publishing has become an increasingly popular option for authors in recent years, with many writers bypassing traditional publishing houses to bring their work directly to readers. Here are some of the most famous self-published authors:
E.L. James
E.L. James is best known for her Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, which originally began life as fan fiction for the Twilight series before being self-published.
The books were a huge success, selling over 125 million copies worldwide and being adapted into a successful film franchise.
Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter self-published her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, in 1901 after several publishers rejected it.
The book was an instant success and helped to establish Potter as one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time.
Her self-publishing success paved the way for future generations of writers to achieve success outside of the traditional publishing industry.
Amanda Hocking
Amanda Hocking is a bestselling author of young adult fiction who gained fame for self-publishing her work on Kindle Direct Publishing.
Hocking’s work has been downloaded over a million times, and she has since signed a multi-book deal with a traditional publisher.
David Chilton
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton is a classic personal finance book that was self-published in 1989.
The book became a bestseller in Canada and helped to establish Chilton as a leading voice in the world of personal finance.
“The Wealthy Barber” has been widely praised for its simple, straightforward approach to personal finance and has been a go-to resource for people looking to take control of their finances for more than three decades.
Robert James Waller
The Bridges of Madison County is a novel by Robert James Waller that was initially self-published in 1992.
The novel was a huge success and quickly became a bestseller, later being picked up by a traditional publisher.
The book has since been adapted into a movie, musical, and opera and is widely considered a modern classic.
Waller’s self-publishing success helped to demonstrate the potential for success outside of the traditional publishing industry and paved the way for future generations of writers to achieve success through self-publishing.
John Grisham
A Time to Kill is the first novel by John Grisham, and it was originally self-published in 1988.
The book was later picked up by a traditional publisher and went on to become a bestseller, helping to establish Grisham as one of the most successful and influential authors of his generation.
Grisham’s self-publishing success helped to demonstrate the potential for success outside of the traditional publishing industry and paved the way for future generations of writers to achieve success through self-publishing.
John Locke
John Locke is one of the most successful self-published authors of all time, having sold over a million copies of his books.
Locke is a bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels who initially self-published his work to test the market before signing a publishing deal.
H.M. Ward
H.M. Ward is a self-published author of romance novels who has sold over 15 million copies of her work.
Ward’s success has made her one of the most successful self-published authors in the world.
J.A. Konrath
J.A. Konrath is a bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels who has been a vocal advocate of self-publishing.
Konrath’s books have been downloaded over a million times, and he has written extensively about his experiences self-publishing on his blog.
Mark Dawson
Mark Dawson is a bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels who self-publishes his work.
Dawson has sold over a million copies of his books and has been successful in building a large and dedicated fanbase through his marketing efforts.
He is also an accomplished teacher and has written several books on the subject of self-publishing and marketing.
Bella Forrest
Bella Forrest is a self-published author of young adult fiction who has sold over a million copies of her books.
Forrest’s books, which include the A Shade of Vampire series, have been well received by readers and have helped her to establish a large following.
Derek Murphy
Derek Murphy is a self-published author and book cover designer who has helped many self-published authors to achieve success with their books.
Murphy has written several books on the subject of self-publishing and has been instrumental in helping many authors to navigate the often-complex world of self-publishing.
Joanna Penn
Joanna Penn is a bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels who self-publishes her work.
Penn has been successful in building a large and dedicated fanbase and has written extensively on the subject of self-publishing and marketing, helping many aspiring writers to achieve success with their books.
K.M. Weiland
K.M. Weiland is a bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction who self-publishes her work.
Weiland’s books, which include the fantasy series Dreams and Reality, have been well received by readers and she has established a large following.
She is also a successful teacher and has written several books on the subject of writing and storytelling.
S.J. Watson
S.J. Watson is a bestselling author of psychological thrillers who self-published his first novel, Before I Go to Sleep.
The book was a huge success and was later picked up by a traditional publisher, becoming a bestseller and being adapted into a major motion picture.
Watson is a great example of the potential success that can be achieved through self-publishing.
Hugh Howey
Hugh Howey is a bestselling author of science fiction who self-publishes his work.
Howey’s books, which include the Silo Trilogy, have been well received by readers and have helped him to establish a large following.
He is also a successful entrepreneur and has been instrumental in the development of self-publishing tools and platforms.
Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and public speaker who self-published his first book, The 4-Hour Work Week.
The book was a huge success and helped to launch Ferriss’s career as a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur.
He has since published several other books, all of which have been well received by readers.
Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan is a bestselling author of epic fantasy who self-publishes his work.
Sullivan’s books, which include the First Kingdom series, have been well received by readers and have helped him to establish a large following.
He is a great example of the success that can be achieved through self-publishing in a highly competitive genre.
Jeff Goins
Jeff Goins is a bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur who self-published his first book, The Art of Work.
The book was a huge success and helped to launch Goins’s career as a writer and speaker.
He has since published several other books and is a respected thought leader in the world of personal development and entrepreneurship.
