Elizabeth Barrett Browning self published her first book of poetry.

Lord Byron, the English poet, paid for the publication of his first collection.

Henry David Thoreau self-published Walden.

Virginia Woolf self published early books before writing Mrs. Dalloway.

Frank Baum self published a few of the books in his Wizard of Oz collection.

William Strunk originally self published this guide for his classes at Cornell. It still sells thousands of copies per year.

Robert J. Waller self published this work. It was then picked up by Thorndike and also made into a film.

Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson self published and sold more than 20,000 copies before signing reprint rights to William Morrow. This book launched a series that sold millions.

Originally self published, several new editions have come out for this one. It still remains one of the best all-around cookbooks.

After writing about his ancestor, Zane Grey went on to produce several popular tales of the West.

Julia Cameron self published her bestselling The Artist's Way, which has gone on to sell over a million copies.

Stephen King self published a serialized novel on the Internet and became the first well known author to do so. More than half a million people viewed this novel, The Plant.