Self-Publishing Success Stories

Is self-publishing worth it? Can you actually use it as a way to get your books out there or even make some money? If self-publishing hasn’t always been your first choice, it may seem a little disheartening at first, but we’ve put together this list of self-publishing success stories to lift your spirits and show the kind of results you can achieve! There’s no one right way to publish a book, and self-publishing allows you to create a finished product that is tailored exactly to your vision. For us at Rowanvale Books, that’s a success in and of itself!  

• Andy Weir 
• Virginia Woolf  
• Jane Austen  
• John Davies  
• Lak Loi  
  
  

• Andy Weir  

What later became a worldwide blockbuster grossing over $600 million started out as a passion project based on a personal interest in outer space. Andy Weir’s The Martian was originally published chapter-by-chapter on his personal website for friends and fans. It wasn’t until people began asking for the story to be published that Weir decided to release it as a Kindle e-book priced at just 99 cents. Within one month, the book had sold 35,000 copies and made it onto all of the Amazon sci-fi bestseller lists! Two years later, the book was published in hardback and became a New York Times Bestseller. Three years later again, and the film starring Matt Damon was being shown in cinemas worldwide!  
Weir wrote about a topic he was well informed on and truly passionate about. By publishing gradually, he received invaluable feedback, allowing him to publish the best possible version when the time came. The process may have been long, but in this case, no one can doubt that it was worth it in the end.  

• Virginia Woolf  

Regularly praised as one of the most influential writers of her time, Virginia Woolf actually began her career by publishing herself through her and her husband’s company, Hogarth Press. Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse were printed by the couple in their living room! Luckily, these days you no longer need a ‘printing press of one’s own’ to start publishing your work! While you’ll need more than just a room, you’ll find self-publishing companies who can guide you through the process that Woolf and her husband had do by themselves. With Rowanvale Books, you can completely tailor your package so that you only pay for exactly what you need – nothing more and nothing less! You’ll maintain full creative control and make all the decisions yourself, but receive help and guidance from our expert team every step of the way. 

• Jane Austen  

It’s hard to believe now that Pride and Prejudice was originally rejected by publishers when pitched by Jane Austen’s father. When it eventually did get signed, after six years still no copies had been printed and so Austen was able to buy it back for the same price she’d initially sold it for. She then had to pay to publish Sense and Sensibility, which went on to sell 750 copies! This was considered a great publishing success at the time and so led to Pride and Prejudice being sold to another publisher. So, if you’re looking for a sign to start your self-publishing journey, this is it! You could have the next future classic in your hands (or saved to your hard drive).  

• John Davies  

John Davies was Rowanvale Books’ second-ever author! For us, that already puts him high on our list of self-publishing success stories, but if that isn’t enough to convince you then maybe the fact that he’s gone on to publish a further eight books with Rowanvale will! John’s initial aim was to publish a story for his granddaughter when she was born. When the grandchildren kept coming, so did the books! Big publishing houses weren’t interested, but John knew what he wanted, and with the help of our dedicated team he was able to make it happen. Our editors worked to polish his manuscript and make it as best as it could be so he could have the smoothest self-publishing journey possible.  

• Lak Loi  

Another Rowanvale Books alumnus is Lak Loi. Similar to John, Lak has published out of pure passion. He’s written about topics such as martial arts, consciousness and spirituality. So far, he’s published with us twice and has another book on the way. He really is a testament to the ability that self-publishing with Rowanvale Books gives you to put your ideas out into the world. 
 
We hope this post has given you some inspiration to kick-start your self-publishing career, now that you know how much you can achieve! For more information on the services we offer at Rowanvale Books or if you have any questions about any part of the process, drop an email to ínfo@rowanvalebooks.com !