Successfull E-book authors

[Kumabjorn]

Since the dawn of the E-book, is there any author that has made it into riches and stardom as a "self-made" publisher? Someone who has been able to bypass the established publishing system and made a fortune writing and publishing on-line?

[foreverjuly]

From all of the authors I talk to, Konrath is absolutely leading the way on this. Although you won't catch any of us on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, I know plenty of people who are in a position where they could live entirely off of their writing. That's a goal for many people, and it's getting to the point where people can make that happen if they have a great book.

Then there are plenty of others like me who find that being an e-book or indie author is working out as a great part-time job so to speak. We're getting our work out there and people are enjoying it. It might pay a few bills or allow us to enjoy things a little more, but it's not like we're going to retire any time soon.

As for stardom, fame is relative. It only takes one person to read your book to have a really great fan. Yeah, universal adoration is nice, but it doesn't take that much to be appreciated as an author.

[L.J. Sellers]

There are several other examples of authors who started with self-published e-books, then landed multi-book traditional publishing contracts and even movies deals: Boyd Morrison, Karen McQuestion, Colleen Houck to name a few.
L.J.

[J. Strnad]

I don't know of any self-published author who has made it big except by transitioning to regular publishing.

However, we have a bunch of previously-published authors who are now making something from their work instead of the nothing they've been making while their work was out of print. This is the boat I'm in, and I'm ecstatic to sell a few ebooks after selling zero anything for the past six years while my book was economically non-viable.

It even has me interested in finishing that unfinished novel, if only to release it electronically.

[Kumabjorn]

I get the impression that the E-book market is still not large enough to support an author, or is it perhaps more diversified? I assume the incentive as an author to go for the E-book market is the royalty issue, more money per sold book, but that doesn't begin to compensate for the prolific distribution in the traditional market, is that perception correct?

Toshiba has released a device called Libretto-W100, which consists of two screens with a hinge. It is much more similar to a traditional book in its design. Is the traditional design of a slate/tablet holding back potential converts to the E-book market?

[meromana]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I get the impression that the E-book market is still not large enough to support an author

I don't think you can say that the eBook market isn't big enough--according to the Associaton of American Publishers, eBook sales were $313 million last year, and they're growing by leaps and bounds. So far, only a handful of authors have been able to get a big enough slice of that pie for themselves to be considered huge successes, but that doesn't mean that others soon won't join them.

The problem is that we're all still trying to figure out the best ways to market and promote and connect with our readers. Once we do that, there will be plenty of full-time eBook authors.

--Maria

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Since the dawn of the E-book, is there any author that has made it into riches and stardom as a "self-made" publisher? Someone who has been able to bypass the established publishing system and made a fortune writing and publishing on-line?

There aren't a whole lot of authors who've made a fortune writing and publishing on paper. For every Dan Brown or Tom Clancy, there are thousands who will never leave the midlist.

Given the limited number of authors of professional quality self-publishing ebooks (Sturgeon's Law is not only fully in effect, it may be squared) and the size of the ebook market, it'll probably be a while before we get any self-published millionaires.

[ficbot]

There are some like M.J. Rose and Brandon Sanderson who started out self-publishing or podcasting or something and then got publishing contracts. Numerous others who do very well as blog authors and have parlayed those into book deals---or have remained as income-generating bloggers. And at least one (Jim Munroe) who started with a traditional contract and then went indie afterward.

Personally, I think the next big internet success story will be the one who offers the ebook for free with the catch that the movie rights cost a million dollars, and then gets a taker on it

[RAScully]

I like that idea! I suppose it does make sense. If something gets hot, any story for that matter, then hollywood will surely take notice. Interesting concept.

[P.A.Woodburn]

I am not sure what you mean by riches and stardom. Riches to one person might appear to be total poverty to another. Who really wants stardom? I don't want to have to dress up to go to the supermarket. Some extra money would make me wildly happy. I don't need millions.

[meromana]

Originally Posted by P.A.Woodburn

I am not sure what you mean by riches and stardom. Riches to one person might appear to be total poverty to another. Who really wants stardom? I don't want to have to dress up to go to the supermarket. Some extra money would make me wildly happy. I don't need millions.

Yes, this is what I was talking about. Becoming a millionaire may not be something that will happen easily for an eBook author, but being able to make a comfortable living as a writer--without a "day job"--is what I dream about at night. Well, that, and some of my brilliant, hunky heroes...

Maria

[Genaro Zamora]

living off what you love to do, to me, is being rich.
it's cool to see how some people have made it in the ebook publishing
world.
I'm just happy to see that the indie publishing ebook world can reach millions of people now, compared to ten years ago. It opens great oportunities in sharing ones art!

[banjobama]

Originally Posted by Genaro Zamora

living off what you love to do, to me, is being rich.

This is a great attitude! I'm going to start telling people this now.

[Genaro Zamora]

thanks.
only a dream I could hope to accomplish some day.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by Genaro Zamora

living off what you love to do, to me, is being rich.
it's cool to see how some people have made it in the ebook publishing
world.
I'm just happy to see that the indie publishing ebook world can reach millions of people now, compared to ten years ago. It opens great oportunities in sharing ones art!

A great philosophy of life.

The question I think is which came first: success in ebooks or success in pbooks? Konrath, one of the "successful" authors cited earlier as an example built his reputation in pbooks.

Yes there are great opportunities now, but only if you rise above the crowd and I think that is becoming increasingly difficult as fewer self-published authors who want to rise simply just sit at their computer, put the words on screen, and press Publish to Internet.

This discussion has been had many times before but the one thing that has never been satisfactorily answered is: What mechanical steps does the successful self-published author take to help ensure that his/her product has the opportunity to be successful?

I know, for example, that several authors here on MR have disdained the use of professional copyeditors. But what I don't know is how many of these authors are "successful", how many first built their reputations via traditional publishing were copyediting is often provided, and whether the books that these authors have produced sans professional services are successful in their own right.

Opportunity is not enough to make one successful.