Ever had a dream of publishing the great American novel?  You’re not the only one. Today, self-publishing is a relatively easy feat to tackle.  However, what both established and aspiring authors might not know is that the history of self-publishing in the US goes way back, and it’s fraught with twisting plots and colorful chapters in time.  To prove this point, here is a page-turning look at the history of self-publishing, and what we might expect in the future for this innovative industry in the US.

The 19th Century and the First Instance of Self-Publishing in US History

The 1800s represented a time when traditional publishing houses held all the power when getting the written word out to the public.  Back then, self-publishing wasn’t even a thing, and few authors even considered the prospect of publishing their own works outside of the “Big Ps” - our term for “Big Publishers” like Wiley, Collins, Harper, Hachette, and MacMillan (now known as HarperCollins today), or other modern-day publishers like Penguin or McGraw-Hill. 

However, in the annals of book printing and self-publishing history in the United States, one notable figure stands out for his pioneering spirit: Charles Dickens.

You probably know this literary genius for some of his timeless classics like Great Expectations and Oliver Twist. But you may not know him for his publishing genius.  To explain, it was in 1843 that Dickens made his mark on self-publishing with the release of A Christmas Carol.

Despite facing initial skepticism from industry insiders, Dickens' gamble paid off handsomely as A Christmas Carol became an instant hit with readers.  Dickens’ chutzpah in cutting ties with the Big Ps was also the first pebble in the pond that would set ripples in the self-publishing world.

On the Shoulders of Giants: The 20th Century Reinvents the Publishing Industry

If it weren’t for Dicken's success, later artists in the 20th century and beyond might not have considered the self-pub option.  For instance, another titan in the literary world, Walt Whitman, took a page from Dickens and published his smash hit, Leaves of Grass.  This iconic work was not only self-published in 1955, Whitman also took it upon himself to design the book and set the type himself. 

Whitman wasn’t the only wordsmith to tap the self-publishing scene in the 20th century, and here are a few best-selling self-pubs of which you might be familiar:

1. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter 1901
2. Swann’s Way, Marcel Proust 1913
3. No Thanks, e.e. Cummings, 1931
4. The Joy of Cooking, Irma Rombauer 1936
5. Double Persephone, Margaret Atwood 1961
6. Eragon, Christopher Paolini 1983
7. The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield 1993
8. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert T. Kiyosaki 1997

 

While this is hardly an exhaustive list, it is an example of how independent scribes have slayed the “Big Publisher” giants by opting for the self-pub route (and building admirable reputations as authors to boot).

A Word About the Self-Pub Boom in the 1970s

The 70s were a perfect storm for self-publishing, and we’ll tell you why.  Consider the Civil Rights movements of the 70s when Blacks, women, and other minorities fought to gain a stronger voice and appeal to larger audiences to gain awareness about the entitlement to basic decencies and human rights. 

Now consider the blistering economic and political environment at the time.  Corruption, inflation, and even the Vietnam War all contributed to an explosive landscape that begs for more freedom to engage in personal enterprise and express personal opinions - without the tyrannic (and pricey) rule of the Big Ps.

To put it mildly, these and other conditions resulted in seismic shifts in the world of print and publishing in the 1970s that can’t be overlooked. This era saw self-publishing rise from the shadows and start to catch fire like never before, paving the way for aspiring authors to bypass traditional publishing houses and embrace the DIY spirit.

Growing Pains: The Evolution from Early Self-Publishing Tech to Modern Innovations

As with most things, as tech grows, so too did self-publishing.

Just consider the advent of the PC (1977) - the “personal computer” that could be owned by anyone who could afford it. This broke the glass ceiling for a lot of authors creating a booming bounty of self-published titles hitting the market.

Not to mention - that little thing known as the internet.  What we take for granted today was once just a dream. It wasn’t until the WWW (World Wide Web) became available to everyday folks in the 1990s that self-publishing started to gain traction in the literary world.

As we enter the digital age, self-publishing takes more leaps forward. Platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing and Amazon On Demand made it easier (and cheaper) than ever for authors to get their work out into the world with minimal upfront costs, which we’ll talk about next.

The Beat Goes On: Self-Publishing Today

In today's digital age, self-publishing has reached new heights with the advent of platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Amazon On Demand. These services have revolutionized the way authors can bring their work to readers around the world with just a few clicks.

With Kindle Direct Publishing, authors have the chance to easily upload their manuscripts, design book covers, set prices, and reach a global audience through Amazon's vast network. It’s mind-boggling how mondo-easy it is for writers to independently publish and market their books directly to consumers in today’s world.

Similarly, online book printing services like BookBaby offer comprehensive self-publishing services that include editing, formatting, distribution on major online retailers, and superior printing of physical copies on demand. Authors can retain creative control over their work while tapping into professional support for a polished final product.

The End: Last Word on the History of Self-Publishing in America

As you can see, it’s been a long and winding road for self-pub in the US.  Just consider some of the most successful self-published titles we mentioned here that scored millions of sales over time.  Next, consider how technology has also changed the landscape of literary art and publishing today.  With techie tools like computers, the internet, and platforms such as e-books, KDP and BookBaby - there’s no telling what’s in store for self-publishing today and far into the future.