14 hour days, marketing and dealing with snobbery: my life as a self-published bestseller

I’ve sold 2m copies of my five novels, but I am still not considered a ‘serious’ author because I self-publish

Ros Barber: ‘For me, traditional publishing means poverty. But self-publish? No way.’

Last week I looked at the complex set of spreadsheets I use to track my ebook sales and gave a whoop of delight: I had just sold my two-millionth book, something I would never in my wildest dreams have considered possible just over four years ago, particularly as the vast majority of those sales were achieved through self-publishing. Initially my most ambitious target had been to sell a thousand copies.

It’s been quite a journey, and all the more exciting for being so totally unexpected. There is no point denying that I became self-published because I wasn’t able to interest an agent in my first book. I had originally written Only the Innocent for my own benefit and pleasure, but I was encouraged by family to give publishing a go. I contacted 12 literary agents, and they weren’t all negative. At least two said they enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t the type of story publishers were looking for.

Many people believe that if the writing was good, the author would be offered a traditional publishing deal

Related: For me, traditional publishing means poverty. But self-publish? No way

Related: I didn't want to resort to self-publishing, but it's an exhilarating change

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