4 Originally Self-Published Books To Shut Up the Haters
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
Redfield self-published and sold The Celestine Prophecy out of the trunk of his car. After moving 100,000 copies Warner Books was all, like, “HEY! GIMME!”
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and his student E. B. White, was required reading for his class. That makes for a captive audience. But that captive audience spread the word and now all writers get pummeled with it like a debutante gets knocked upside the head with Miss Manners. Its all for the better. Sorry. It’s all for the better.
The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer
1931. Dick Tracy was born. The Empire State Building was completed after 13 short months. And Irma S. Rombauer, suffering emotionally after her husband’s suicide, self-published The Joy of Cooking. After five years of independent success Bobbs-Merrill Company was all, like, “HEY! GIMME!” (a common refrain among jilted publishing houses).
The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin
In 1758, Benjamin Franklin self published a collection of advice and wisdom. The Way to Wealth popularized such phrases as “There are no pains without gains” and “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” and “Where’s the beef?” Okay, not the last one.
Ben Zackheim’s first book, Shirley Link & The Safe Case, was self-published as a testament to the changing digital marketplace that he witnessed firsthand while working in the games business. He’s a strong believer in the individual’s power to get their work out there. He’s scheduled to begin teaching classes in digital marketing at New York’s School of Visual Arts in 2013.
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3 Comments to 4 Originally Self-Published Books To Shut Up the Haters
by EdwardSmith1
On July 30, 2012 at 4:21 pm
This is real proof self-publishing has come into its own. I coach self-published authors how to get on TV and you can see why we don’t have any trouble. Thanks, Edward Smith.
by JeffRutherford
On July 30, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@EdwardSmith1 You’re right Edward. eBooks has profoundly changed self-publishing. There is no barrier to entry any longer. And, as long as you’re publishing quality material and marketing it correctly, you can compete with traditional publishers.
by RJ Palmer
On March 17, 2013 at 4:27 pm
Great post! Self publishing used to have such a stigma on it. I believe we are starting to see a change in the tide. Us “Indie Authors” are starting to police ourselves and soon enough we will be like the “Indie Movie” movement.