Recently, more people have started changing their career paths. The current situation has inspired many to take a leap and pursue a long-held dream. People worldwide have started their own business from home, using the digital landscape to advertise and sell their products.
This newfound drive to pursue a new profession is not exclusive to retail. The recent lockdown has given people more time to pick up their creative pursuits. It’s no surprise that some are looking to monetize their creations.
If you are one of those individuals asking themselves, “Is self-publishing my poetry book even possible?” Then you should consider looking into these self-made authors. They took a risk on themselves and managed to earn rewards beyond their expectations.
Notable Self-published Authors
The digital age has made it easier for aspiring authors to get their work out there. From uploading short stories onto their website to finding publishing houses online, you now have more opportunities to get your writing to the public.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
The first book in a fantasy series geared toward young adults, Paolini published Eragon under his parent’s publishing company. He then spent a year touring across the country to promote the book. It was during this time that Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. found the book and had it republished under them.
The Martian by Andy Weir
Before completing The Martian, Weir had already published several of his works on his website. He decided to upload chapters of the science fiction novel online after realizing the challenges of getting published. He then published the complete story as an e-book, which garnered him mainstream popularity as it became Amazon’s #1 bestseller. Soon, publishing houses started offering multi-million book deals.
No Thanks by E.E. Cummings
Although Cummings was a critically acclaimed writer, many publishers found his experimental style too risky. This caused him to choose the self-publishing route when he was younger. No Thanks is an example of the works he had to publish and promote on his own. It took years, more critical acclaim, and his tenacity before he was offered a publishing deal.
Self-publishing in the Digital Age
The digital age has made it easier to establish your brand. As you start your new profession as a self-published writer, there are some things you should keep in mind. Consider the following as your guide in navigating your way through this new path.
- Study the publishing process to identify what tasks you will need to take on. Aside from writing, you will need to edit your work, format its layout, and design its cover.
- Use the digital landscape to promote your book. Take advantage of the multiple platforms available to you and use them to promote your work and engage with your audience.
- Go out and sell your book. Visit local libraries and book shops to ask them if they will carry your book.
All of these will help you create a finished product that is every bit as professional as the ones you find on bookshelves. Your success is attainable—you just have to work a little harder for it.
