Self-Published Author Amanda Hocking Makes Millions From eBook Sales

Unknown, living paycheck to paycheck in Austin, Minnesota, rejected by publishers all over New York, Amanda Hocking decided to self-publish on ebook platforms only. She sold 100,000 of her works in December, and over 10 months she's more than 900,000. She's 26 and is now making enough money to quit her day job and become a full time writer, in fact she's a millionaire. She's going to be featured in Elle Magazine's April issue, all without what everyone thought was essential to make it as a writer: a big New York publishing house. Watch the local news story below:

Comments

[Lynn Ellen]

01:25 PM on 04/18/2011

http://kristikasten.blogspot.com/

I just met this author at a writing conference and predict her to be the next Amanda Hocking. She has the most unique book idea and I can't wait to hear how fast an agent will pick her up. She's just getting started with her blog so be patient.

[Rechelle Owens]

10:20 AM on 04/05/2011

Amanda Hocking is just one of a multitude of authors who are turning to self publishing e-book platforms instead of using traditional publishers. For quite some time now authors have been forced to do their own marketing and create their own platform with little help from their publishers. I think in the future we will see more and more authors take this route.

After all why should the author do most of the promotional work and earn such a small amount of the net profit when they can self publish and make a larger net profit?

The popularity of the e-book self publishing platform is forcing traditional publishers to evaluate their current publishing practices and if this trend continues, they are going to have to make some major changes and bring a lot more to the table in order to remain viable.

[Peter Baksa]

06:15 PM on 03/26/2011

So happy to hear about your success. I just finished my first book The Point of Power. I spend 10 years researching the wisdom found in ancient theological texts going back to Lau Tzu. I drew common denominators found in quantum physics and wove a fabric that explains how we humans create. How we interact with the universe and make things happen. Raised Lutheran I never could accept conventional god theory as it appeared wrought with contra dictions and poor human interpretation - I think I know who god is now and I tell you in my book. Albert Einstein, Steven Hawking, Max Plank seem to all agree with me. Congratulations - I love e-books and the new technology as well.

[Mary Pace]

02:15 PM on 03/26/2011

I am happy to read your article, because it's a prime example of the power in being focussed. Way to go!

[Mark Kuhne]

05:24 PM on 03/17/2011

Congratulations. As an emerging author the internet is fantastic and helps provide an awesome platform. No sooner did I release my first book "Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity" in paperback and ebook, that I began to have publishers asking for a deal!

Keep up the great work. You are an inspiration to me.

[Jimtoday]

01:38 PM on 03/15/2011

I love being inspired by a real self-made success story. Good luck to this talented young lady!

[Xynobooks]

03:28 PM on 03/14/2011

Hocking's success is indeed inspiring and replicable, but there's a lot left unsaid to this story.

I did a blog post commenting on one of Hocking's where she goes into more detail herself about her "overnight success."

http://xynobooks.com/2011/03/the-dream-can-come-true/


There's no "secret." She wrote seventeen books before trying to publish one. That's a lot of practice, and it's the steady development of the various skill sets a writer needs. They even said it in the newscast: her success took years of effort.

She freely admits that even she needs help with editing. Most writers do; they can't edit themselves effectively, and they also often lack various other skills such as graphic design, formatting/typesetting and marketing.

There will always be a role for the traditional-type publisher, even in the brave new world of e-books. Successful authors will make a lot more money in e-books, though, as they'll get a MUCH bigger piece of the pie than they will from print publishers.

[diamondeyes83]

10:36 AM on 03/10/2011

While I am glad that this young woman garnered success by independent publishing, I question whether the quality of her books are actually good. Let's not forget about the overrated book series that sold millions worldwide a few years ago-- Twilight. There were so many flaws in that series yet millions of young and older women loved it. I should research this girl's books to see what they're all about.

[Parris Z Moore]

08:03 PM on 03/08/2011

Amanda would you take the time and tell us how you did it! We would all appreciate it.

[Travis Trestler]

01:31 PM on 03/15/2011

Hello Parris. I can tell you how she did it step-by-step. We can talk about the process as well as any topic you are curious about (i.e.--production, design, distribution, marketing, royalties, editing, etc, etc) Send me and email or give me a call. Travis Trestler - [e-mail]. 888.519.5121 ext. 5358 (call is preferable as we can cover a lot more ground in much less time, but either way I am happy to help with a free discussion). AuthorHouse is the largest provider of self publishing services and the most popular firm in the industry. I work with authors that only want to self publish (ebook, soft and hard cover) and I work with authors who are only using our firm as a stepping stone in to the larger traditional publishing world. If we cannot help you, then at least you will know more about the self publishing industry and how it compares to traditional publishing. By the way, we have numerous bestsellers and blockbuster movies (Legally Blonde, Proof of Life, September Dawn, etc).

[Cassie Jordan]

11:51 AM on 03/07/2011

I've read her. Way to go Amanda! :)

[NotTomPaquin]

11:44 AM on 03/07/2011

Now she's 'Hocking' her own books. *Rimshot*

[doctorwascher]

10:15 AM on 03/06/2011

An inspiring story for would-be writers around the world who have struggled to find an agent or publisher who will embrace their writing.

Hopefully, success stories like this one will someday be much more commonplace and, hopefully, the ailing traditional publishing industry will abandon or modify its rather elitist view of who (and what) is "worthy" to be published by them.

Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

Author, "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race"

[Yank in France]

02:43 AM on 03/05/2011

I love this story!!

[keene]

11:22 PM on 03/04/2011

I have published a few poems. Have enough for a book. The computer stuff is really confusing for me. But l did by a Flip video camera and learned how to upload them onto You Tube. if you want come and listen to them. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/user/danpeak?feature=mhum#p/u

[keene]

11:23 PM on 03/04/2011

sorry,. "buy"