Rejection is a common experience for many authors, and it can be one of the most discouraging aspects of pursuing a writing career. Traditional publishing is a competitive industry, and countless manuscripts are rejected by publishers every year, often without much explanation. However, rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Many authors have turned rejection into opportunity by embracing self-publishing, where they found not only success but also creative freedom and control over their work. In this blog post, we’ll explore inspiring stories of authors who overcame rejection and achieved remarkable success through self-publishing. Their journeys serve as powerful reminders that perseverance, resilience, and belief in your work can lead to incredible outcomes.
1. Amanda Hocking: The Queen of Self-Publishing Success
Amanda Hocking’s story is often cited as one of the most inspiring examples of self-publishing success. Before becoming a household name in the indie author community, Hocking faced numerous rejections from traditional publishers. Despite her best efforts, her paranormal romance novels were consistently turned down by literary agents and publishing houses.
Turning Point: In 2010, after accumulating a stack of rejection letters, Hocking decided to take matters into her own hands. She self-published her first book, My Blood Approves, as an eBook on Amazon Kindle. To her surprise, the book quickly gained traction, and word of mouth spread like wildfire.
The Result: Within a few months, Hocking’s books were selling hundreds of thousands of copies, and she became a self-publishing sensation. By the end of 2010, she had sold over a million copies of her self-published novels, earning millions of dollars in the process. Her success caught the attention of traditional publishers, and she eventually signed a lucrative book deal with St. Martin’s Press.
Key Takeaway: Amanda Hocking’s story highlights the power of self-publishing as a way to bypass the gatekeepers of traditional publishing. Her determination to share her stories with the world, despite repeated rejections, led to a level of success that most authors can only dream of.
2. Hugh Howey: The Wool Phenomenon
Hugh Howey is another author who faced rejection before finding success through self-publishing. His science fiction novel, Wool, was initially written as a short story and published on Amazon as a self-published eBook. Howey had tried the traditional publishing route but found little interest from publishers.
Turning Point: Instead of giving up, Howey decided to expand Wool into a series, releasing additional installments as self-published eBooks. The story quickly gained a dedicated following, with readers eagerly awaiting each new release.
The Result: Wool became a massive success, selling millions of copies worldwide. The book’s popularity led to a bidding war among traditional publishers, and Howey eventually signed a seven-figure book deal with Simon & Schuster. However, in a groundbreaking move, Howey retained the digital rights to his work, allowing him to continue benefiting from the success of his self-published eBooks.
Key Takeaway: Hugh Howey’s story demonstrates the potential of serial publishing in the digital age. By releasing his work in installments and building a loyal readership, Howey was able to turn a self-published short story into a global phenomenon, all while maintaining control over his intellectual property.
3. Lisa Genova: From Rejection to Bestseller with Still Alice
Lisa Genova’s journey to success is a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in one’s work. Genova, a neuroscientist by training, wrote her debut novel, Still Alice, a moving story about a woman diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Despite the novel’s powerful subject matter and Genova’s credentials, traditional publishers were not interested in her manuscript.
Turning Point: Determined to share her story, Genova decided to self-publish Still Alice in 2007. She marketed the book tirelessly, reaching out to book clubs, speaking at events, and leveraging her professional network to get the word out.
The Result: Still Alice gradually gained recognition, and word of mouth helped it climb the sales charts. In 2009, the book was picked up by Simon & Schuster and went on to become a New York Times bestseller. The novel was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Julianne Moore.
Key Takeaway: Lisa Genova’s story illustrates the importance of perseverance and self-promotion in the self-publishing world. Her refusal to let rejection define her career led to a bestselling novel that resonated with readers and critics alike.
4. E.L. James: From Fan Fiction to Global Sensation
E.L. James is the pen name of Erika Leonard, the author behind the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. James began her writing career by posting fan fiction online, inspired by the Twilight series. Her work quickly gained a following, but when she decided to publish her own original novel, traditional publishers were hesitant to take on the project due to its explicit content.
Turning Point: Undeterred by the lack of interest from traditional publishers, James chose to self-publish Fifty Shades of Grey as an eBook and print-on-demand paperback. The book’s steamy content and compelling story captivated readers, and it wasn’t long before it became a viral sensation.
The Result: Fifty Shades of Grey quickly became one of the fastest-selling books of all time, and its success led to a multi-million-dollar book deal with Vintage Books. The trilogy has sold over 150 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a successful film franchise.
Key Takeaway: E.L. James’ story highlights the potential for niche genres to find massive success through self-publishing. By understanding her audience and embracing a non-traditional path, James turned a self-published novel into a global phenomenon.
5. Andy Weir: The Martian and the Power of Community
Andy Weir’s debut novel, The Martian, is another inspiring example of self-publishing success. Weir, a software engineer by day, wrote The Martian as a passion project and initially published it chapter by chapter on his website, where readers could read it for free.
Turning Point: Encouraged by the positive feedback from his online readers, Weir decided to compile the chapters into a complete novel and self-publish it on Amazon Kindle. He priced the eBook at just $0.99, making it accessible to a wide audience.
The Result: The Martian quickly gained a following, and its sales skyrocketed. The novel caught the attention of Crown Publishing, which acquired the print rights, and the book became a New York Times bestseller. The story was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Matt Damon.
Key Takeaway: Andy Weir’s journey emphasizes the importance of community and reader engagement in self-publishing. By building a dedicated readership online and listening to their feedback, Weir was able to create a novel that resonated with a wide audience, leading to both commercial and critical success.
6. Mark Dawson: Mastering the Art of Self-Publishing
Mark Dawson is a successful self-published author who has built an empire through his John Milton thriller series. Before finding success in self-publishing, Dawson struggled with traditional publishing, facing rejections and lackluster sales.
Turning Point: After his experiences with traditional publishing, Dawson decided to take control of his career by self-publishing his novels. He invested time in learning about book marketing, email list building, and Facebook advertising, which he used to effectively promote his books.
The Result: Dawson’s marketing expertise paid off, and his books quickly gained a large following. He has sold millions of copies of his novels, and his success has allowed him to mentor other authors through courses on self-publishing and book marketing.
Key Takeaway: Mark Dawson’s story shows that self-publishing success often requires more than just great writing—it also demands a solid understanding of marketing and promotion. By mastering these skills, Dawson turned his self-published series into a lucrative business.
7. J.A. Konrath: A Pioneer of the Self-Publishing Movement
J.A. Konrath, also known as Jack Kilborn, is a thriller author who was initially published by traditional publishers. However, after facing declining advances and fewer opportunities, Konrath decided to experiment with self-publishing.
Turning Point: Konrath began self-publishing his backlist of books on Amazon Kindle, where he priced them affordably. His success with self-publishing led him to release new titles directly to readers, bypassing traditional publishers altogether.
The Result: Konrath became one of the early pioneers of the self-publishing movement, proving that authors could find financial success without relying on traditional publishers. He has sold millions of copies of his books and continues to be a vocal advocate for self-publishing.
Key Takeaway: J.A. Konrath’s journey underscores the potential of self-publishing for authors who are willing to adapt to new technologies and embrace a direct-to-reader approach. His success paved the way for countless other authors to pursue self-publishing as a viable career path.
Conclusion
Rejection is an inevitable part of the writing journey, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. The inspiring stories of authors like Amanda Hocking, Hugh Howey, Lisa Genova, E.L. James, Andy Weir, Mark Dawson, and J.A. Konrath demonstrate that self-publishing can be a powerful alternative to traditional publishing. These authors faced rejection but refused to give up on their dreams. Through self-publishing, they found creative freedom, financial success, and a direct connection with readers.
If you’re an author who has faced rejection, let these stories inspire you to keep going. Self-publishing offers the opportunity to take control of your writing career, reach readers on your terms, and achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of. Remember, every rejection is just one step closer to finding the path that’s right for you. Embrace the possibilities of self-publishing, and you might just find yourself writing the next great success story.