I came across an inspirational story in the Cape Cod Chronicle.
It’s a story for all writers that have ever considered self-publishing their book or have been rejected by traditional publishers.
Against all odds Lisa Genova got it done!
Recently divorced and between consulting jobs, Lisa Genova decided to write a novel rather than get another job.
“I felt crazy,” she said of that time. “I was writing at Starbuck’s while my daughter was in school. I’d just think, what am I doing?”
“I was told not to self-publish” by one literary agent, said Genova.
(We all need to be careful about taking advice from “so called” experts.)
She did it anyway, and spent a year selling the book herself before it began to gain wider attention.
She got an agent, and less than a week later, after a two-day auction, Simon and Schuster snapped up “Still Alice” for a six-figure advance.
(Don’t you love a happy ending!)
The novel, which won the 2008 Bronte Prize for excellence in romantic fiction, will be published Jan. 6 with an initial print run of 250,000 copies. Publishing rights have also been sold in 12 other countries.
==> Get inspired by Lisa and read the full story here
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21 comments ↓
Thanks for that great story. I was thinking about self publishing but just wondering if it is too hard to become successful.
Has anyone reading this made any money self publishing?
I am so pleased that Lisa Genova gave “voice” to the impact of Altzheimer’s on the persons involved, their families and friends. My mother has Altzheimer’s and I know, first hand, how it impacts on a family. Regarding her second book about the effects of a stroke: I am a stroke survivor and I’m writing a book about that so I applaud someone with her credentials writing a book about brain damage through stroke or injury. Her story is inspirational … thank you.
Wow! A dream that every self publishing author desires.
A word of cauition to self publishers. Most state book shows will not promote your work unless done by an agent with a known publishing firm. They will however, let you sell your work for a fee, as a vender.
I self published 2 books so far and have been using an offshore printer with its office in the U.S as well as in Canada. They’ve have made my first book came out within my tight budget with wonderful services and top quality product. I would recommend this printing company in Hawaii to anyone self publishing their books. If you don’t mind me mentioning their website, it is http://www.imaginghawaii.com
Good luck!
Sharon Whitefield
Unique Publications Services
I’ve self-published two books with a third almost finished. I’ve sold over 7,000 of the first two books and I do enjoy earning a great deal more than the author’s royalty.
There are a multitude of ways to get your book sold these days as a self-publisher.
It is hard work, but it’s worth it.
Hi there, I am also a self-published author from South Africa and have published two books. I am going to be moving overseas next year and would like to find a literary agent in the USA. Can you tell me who yours is? I would like to connect with someone who has been referred, researching agents on the internet is a little overwhelming and one does not know who is credible or not.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Debra
I have been on the edge of which coarse i should take on a publisher or pubishing options for many years now. I have grown tired of the meaningless search for publishers who just wont listen. It seems the only way is to get an agent, or self publish. Still desifering which coarse i am to go. This advice sounds helpful to me and thanks. Its good to see you don’t need to follow the experts advice to produce expertice work.
Navigating the murky depths of the standard publishing world is a daunting challenge. It’s refreshing to see someone rise to the top by simply believing in their work! Authors occasionally have depth perception that transcends the standard publishing community. A well- crafted story will ALWAYS sell itself. Congratulations Lisa!!!!
Thx for the article… With technology bringing any & everyone within reach there is really no reason not to self-publish. A close friend and colleague self published his first book and it has increased his primary business, gotten him several PAID speaking engagements and propelled him toward his purpose and at least 2 more forthcoming books. Watching the whole process inspired me and my book should be complete in a week or so… http://www.MyDreamHomeforLess.com
Hi Sydney,
Thanks for sharing my story here at your blog and continuing the conversation about self-publishing! It has been and continues to be a thrilling journey. And I continue to learn a lot along the way.
To Sandra—I made virtually no money with the self-published book itself. I think my average net was about $2/book, and I donated $1/book to Alzheimer’s care and research. Not exactly paying the bills with that equation! But I knew my goal wasn’t to make money with the self-published book. Even with the internet, I just don’t have the distribution muscle to sell 10,000-100,000 copies! My goal was always to create a buzz, an excited word-of-mouth among readers, to get some great reviews at amazon, at blogs, and in local press, to gain the attention of the literary agents and publishing houses. Guerilla marketing worked! I recommend reading David Meerman Scott’s New Rules of Marketing and PR.
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes!
All Best,
Lisa Genova
http://www.StillAlice.com
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing further insight into your great success. Thank you!
Hi
What a great story. Self publishing worries me as I would not know how to go about selling my book and also how to earn real money for my hard work.
Thanks for the insight
What a shame! As a Chinese In my own country China where no freedom of publishing exists. however, I, author but also master of my story inside, had to learn hard English for writing in English instead of mother tongue Chinese, and hope publish it abroad instead of home. but, it is too difficult for non-english-speaker to look for right publishing angent or publisher. who would do me fvor?
I know how hard it can be to get published Oyosa, and i use to work for a chinese couple who opened up a shop in California. I learned lots about China from them. It is not possible for anyone to do something unless your born with the right people and right familes, more so royality. I would suggest for your predicament however to check forign writing publishers. Check those who are interested in showing an insight through the eyes of a chineses men. I am still on the search myself, and i wish you the best for your future. . . Good Luck. . .
I just self published my book online about a week ago. I’m seeing if it will really go anywhere and I’m crossing my fingers. I’ll let everyone know how it works out for me.
Well, writing a sci-fi novel about soccer matches for the first time in Iran was disappointing for me.Paying money to a publisher that can not understand the value of my novel was not acceptable for me but I did.
After publishing the book, few people read and understood the goal of the novel.
No publisher or agent in outside of Iran sent a reply for publishing the book.
Until the Durance publishing company said that by paying an amount of money in a subsidy program you can publish your novel ” Super Soccer 2010″ in USA.
I don’t know that this way is correct or not.
I have the problem of languge in English and no existence of international agents and publishers in Iran.
What can I do?
To be or not to be ( as a writer). That’s the problem!
I published a memoir (Crazy Quilt: Pieces of a Mennonite Life) through a small press, which is almost like self-publishing! There was some marketing done by the press, but a lot of movement of books came through my going around and offering talks. Most of the books sold (2,000 so far) were through these talks, as well as teaching. I made some income through this, and the experiences were extremely rewarding. I think the bigger question is to ask yourself why you are writing. Maybe you write because you love to write! After having a lot of expectations around my first book, I am writing a second out of the pure love of the craft. If it brings in some income, then that will be flowers on the icing!
Cynthia
To all of you trying and vying for an audience, best of luck. I, too, have written a book that has not been snatched up by a publishing company. It seems that poetry is a very small part of the popularity pie. An agent would probably be the best route, and perhaps, as time marches on, self publishing will become more appealing. In the meantime Stephen King, and other great writers, seem to agree that honing one’s craft by writing every day is extremely important. So each and every day I hope I will write myself one step closer to a book deal.
This is my first time ever trying to publish a book and I’m scared. I barely have any money and I have no clue how to self-publish my book. I’m in desprate need of help.
Pls I am interested and want to join the group. However, I have not written any book until recently. I’m writting one now.
I need help and advice.
Thanks
Ifeanyi
The story of Lisa Genova is not just inspirational but its a beacon of light for many debut authors, who are not being chased by publishers or agents. I have just about completed my debut novel and find her story like an evening star…you could pray to and get light from. She is also a mother…rightly the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
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