Immediately following the invention of the printing press in 1440, all books were self-published. Some were salacious, others inflammatory, but some, like The Prince (Niccolo Machiavelli, 1532), Don Quixote (Miguel de Cervantes, 1615), and Paradise Lost (John Milton, 1667) still offer profound messages to this day.
Traditional publishing houses didn’t emerge for another 300 years. Then they became self-appointed gatekeepers of what they thought their readers wanted.
Big mistake!
Below are twelve more bestselling self-published books that broke past the gatekeepers.
1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (2011)
I bet this one surprised you! E.L. James originally wrote this novel as fanfiction inspired by Twilight, posting
it in online communities before self-publishing. The book’s incredible sales later landed her a lucrative publishing deal and movie adaptation.
2. The Martian by Andy Weir (2011)
Andy Weir first published The Martian on his website, offering chapters for free.
After reader demand for a Kindle version grew, he self-published on Amazon, where it caught the attention of Crown Publishing and ultimately became a film starring Matt Damon.
3. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (1997)
I read the entire Rich Dad, Poor Dad
series, which explores lessons Kiyosaki learned from his “rich dad” and “poor dad.” We own a rental property in Nashville as a result of his books.
Rejected by traditional publishers, the author self-published his book and sold them at his seminars.
And that's how you sell books!
4. Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown (2000)
I never read the book but I absolutely LOVE the movie, starring Reece
Witherspoon. The novel tells the story of a California sorority girl who enrolls in Harvard Law School to win back her ex, only to discover her true potential.
The courtroom scene at the end is so, so fun!
5.
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield (1992)
Like #4, I haven’t read this book, but it’s a mystical novel about a man’s journey through Peru in search of spiritual insights found in an ancient manuscript. Here’s what impresses me about it: James Redfield printed 3,000 copies of his novel on his own dime, distributing it to bookstores. Its word-of-mouth success soon
caught the attention of a major publisher, and it became a top-selling novel with a loyal fan base.
There’s no shortcut to hard work.
6. The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer (1931)
Apart from my wife, who doesn’t love cooking? Rombauer first printed 3,000 copies as a way to support herself after her husband’s death. It went on to become one of the best-selling cookbooks of all time, still cherished by generations of cooks.
7. What Color is Your Parachute?
by Richard N. Bolles (1970)
I know we already looked at this book, but in my 20s and 30s, every bookstore in America sold this release. This shaped the field of career counseling forever.
8. Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch (1995)
Check out this book on Amazon online retailer websites. Walsch’s book, based on his conversations with God, has sold multiple millions of copies and has been translated into 37 languages. What eventually grew into a trilogy, fostered a global movement and led to workshops, films, and companion guides.
9. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (2006)
While I disagree certain parts of the book, I can’t ignore its overwhelming success. Byrne originally self-published her book in Australia, but its popularity made it a global bestseller accompanied by a documentary that spurred the self-help movement centered on the “secret” law of attraction.
10. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (1992)
One of my wife’s favorite books, it’s a guide to help creatives overcome self-doubt and unleash their potential through structured exercises and journaling. This staple has inspired countless artists, writers, and musicians through its famous “morning pages” exercise. I
haven’t finished reading it yet, but when I do, it will rank as must-read for writers.
11. Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (1991)
If you're as old as dirt me, you remember this classic. I read it over and over. The book is a collection
of life advice from a father to his son, covering wisdom on kindness, love, and everyday life. Here’s what sold the book: it was concise, containing one tidbit of wisdom on every page—even the trim size was small (4.5 x 6). It spawned multiple series and a new genre of short inspirational books that sold for years.
12. The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho (1988)
Someday I plan on reading this one. The premise involves a mystical journey about following one’s dreams, as a young shepherd travels in search of treasure. After initial publication struggles in Brazil, Coelho self-published his novel, which became an international bestseller. Today, Coelho is one of the world’s most-read authors.
13. The Shack by William Paul Young (2007)
One of my favorite books of all time. My dear friend, Paul Young—and a subscriber to the Power Writers Report—self-published his novel as a gift to family and friends. The story of a grieving father who encounters God in a mysterious shack struck a nerve and the book went viral. It has currently
sold over 20 million copies and still appears on bestselling lists.
What can we learn from this?
First, you don’t need a traditional publisher to reach your audience. You do need a well-written
manuscript and a finished product that grabs the attention of your readers.
And I guarantee you—none of the above authors did everything on their own. Every author needs a team of professionals to release their book.
The advantage of
publishing your book with a self- or hybrid publisher?
If your book goes viral, you’ll make twice, even three times as much in royalties as any traditionally published author.
Second, don't give
up on your dream. We never make promises about book sales—and run from anyone who does. But, the Illumify team will do everything in their control to position you to sell books.
But nothing will happen if we don't talk and explore the possibilities of your book. Click on the button below and let's get
started.
