How JK Rowling became the most successful female writer in history

Any writer will tell you that writing a best-selling book, much less publishing and selling more than 400 million copies of it, is an incredibly difficult thing to do. It’s even harder when you consider that J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, was on welfare before she even wrote her first book about the young wizard and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. These days, though, Rowling is worth over $1 billion—one of only four self-made billionaires in Britain. Here’s how she did it..How JK Rowling became the most successful female writer in history

Write At All Costs

The mantra write at all costs is one of fiction author Stephen King’s favorite writing maxims, and with good reason. Writing—whether you set out to do it or not—is a difficult task, and one that takes tremendous courage and focus. How JK Rowling became the most successful female writer in history

Know When To Stop

Everyone knows that self-publishing is a tough racket, so it’s essential to keep a sense of perspective when you submit your work for consideration by agents and publishers. Even after your manuscript’s been polished up, don’t spend too much time obsessing over what could be—hustle like crazy and get writing! With any luck, you’ll soon see your name on bookstore shelves across America.

Self-Publish

With a very small amount of money, you can have your book in print and on virtual store shelves within weeks of writing it. Self-publishing is often a viable option for first-time authors who are unsure if they’ll be able to secure interest from established publishers, or are wary of releasing their story into a saturated market. Some self-published authors have even gone on to earn lucrative publishing deals—most notably Amanda Hocking, who made $2 million after securing a deal with St.

Use Social Media Wisely

One of Rowling’s biggest influences was her use of social media, especially when she started writing Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone. Today, most people know her Twitter handle, @jk_rowling, as much as they do her last name.

Choose Your Stories Carefully

Before she was a household name, J.K. Rowling focused on her next story, not on her fame—and it paid off: In 2000, she became only the fourth person to make The Sunday Times best-seller list with each of her first four books. These days, she’s worth $1 billion and is inspiring a new generation of successful authors who learn from her dedication and growth as an author and entrepreneur. Follow these lessons from Harry Potter’s creator.